Under direction, supervises, coordinates and directs various components of the San Joaquin County Disability Management Program (DMP); and performs related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
An incumbent in this class supervises, coordinates and performs a wide variety of activities designed to meet the needs of injured or disabled employees by identifying and offering appropriate work whenever possible. The incumbent develops and maintains liaison between the Human Resources Department, other County departments, program-eligible employees, designated facilities, and health providers in order to identify job accommodation options, locate appropriate and available work opportunities, adhere to legal/policy requirements, and encourage/support the injured/disabled employee to remain a productive part of the workforce.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Coordinates and supervises all aspects of the Disability Management Program, including, but not limited to: the identification of potential Program candidates; coordination with physicians, therapists, counselors, and other providers to establish employee's health status and ability to work; coordination with departmental staff to identify possible accommodating work opportunities for injured/disabled employees; and placement of employees, when possible, in appropriate, available positions.
Reads, understands and interprets complex legal or policy documents pertaining to disability management; develops, recommends and implements program policies and procedures; establishes quality standards and monitors program effectiveness.
Establishes and maintains contact with injured/disabled employees, departmental staff, health providers, and others in order to facilitate awareness and understanding of the Disability Management Program and encourage participation in the program; supports and facilitates the completion of disability-related documentation within required time frames as needed.
Works with health providers in order to define specific work accommodations for individual employees; works with departmental staff and others to identify essential job criteria, develop accommodation options, and obtain appropriate job descriptions.
Ensures appropriate follow-up with all involved parties subsequent to employee job placement; provides liaison with Worker's Compensation, Labor Relations, Equal Employment, or other disability management staff regarding benefits or case status.
Collects and analyzes data; develops, maintains and presents statistical and other reports in order to track program performance, injury reduction and/or cost containment; maintains ongoing files and records on Program participants and actions; develops forms, Program documents, letters and correspondence; helps develop and recommend program policies and procedures.
Attends meetings and conferences; may select, train, assign, evaluate and discipline subordinate staff; may serve on committees and task forces.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in public or business administration, health science, psychology, industrial relations, personnel management, disability management, or a closely related field.
Experience: Three years of professional nursing, occupational therapy, public personnel, or health-related/personnel-related administrative analytical work, including at least one year of experience working in disability management, workers compensation claims management, vocational placement or rehabilitation services.
Substitutions: 1) Additional basic qualifying experience can be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of two years; 2) Current certification as a Certified Professional in Disability Management (CPDM) issued by the Insurance Educational Association and the Disability Management Employer Coalition can be substituted for the required one year of disability management experience.
Special Requirement: Candidates seeking to qualify based on experience as a Registered Nurse, Certified Occupational Therapist, or other licensed health professional must provide evidence of current registration/licensure which qualifies them to practice in the State of California.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles and practices of personnel and program management, including planning, budgeting, organization, reporting, supervision, and staff development; concepts and practices of case management; principles and practices of disability management; Federal and State employment regulations and guidelines; laws and regulations governing Workers Compensation, State Disability Insurance, and other disability-related programs; current methods of data management, including the use of computerized databases and worksheets; research methods and analysis; basic medical terminology.
ABILITY
Develop and coordinate a disability management program; select, assign, direct, evaluate, discipline and train staff; work effectively with individuals, families, medical providers, claims personnel and other parties to achieve a satisfactory resolution of disability-related employment issues; understand, interpret and apply complex laws and regulations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; maintain complex data systems, including computerized records; read, understand and interpret medical documents; express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility-Frequent operation of keyboards; Visual Requirements-Frequent reading/close-up work; Dexterity-Frequent writing; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing normal speech, hearing on the telephone, talking in person, talking on the telephone; Emotional/Psychological Factors-Frequent exposure to grief, public contact, decision making, concentration; occasional working alone, working weekends/nights, overtime, travel.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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