Job Description: Disability Management Coordinator


Organization: County of Wellington
Location: Guelph (Ontario)
Job Category: Job Posting
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $78,005.20 to $91,236.60 - Annual Salary

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Disability Management Coordinator

Reporting to the Manager of HR – Employee Services, Human Resources, the Disability Management Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of case management of non-occupational and occupational illness and injuries.  The Disability Management Coordinator performs a variety of duties to ensure suitable and sustainable return-to-work outcomes are achieved through customized coordination of the right services at the right time and that employees are supported through the disability management process.  This position also plays a key role in supporting the County’s efforts in accessibility compliance.

The minimum qualifications for this position include:

  • Two year college diploma in Health Sciences or a related area.

  • Post-graduate certificate in Disability Management or a related area is preferred.

  • Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) or Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) designation is considered an asset.

  • Minimum four years or experience or equivalent with a focus on disability management or a related area.

  • Experience adjudicating disability claims for Short Term Disability and acting as a liaison with Long Term Disability insurance carriers is preferred.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of disability management and return-to-work practices and processes.

  • Thorough working knowledge of all relevant legislation including, but not limited to, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Human Rights Code and Employment Standards Act.

  • Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is preferred.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Excellent organizational skills with ability to perform administrative tasks with high degree of accuracy.

  • Ability to maintain excellent and detailed records, and communicate effectively with internal staff, employee associations, community, and provincial agencies, elected officials, and the public.

  • A valid driver’s licence (minimum G2 Class) and access to a reliable vehicle.

  • All new or rehired employees must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and agreement of the County of Wellington vaccination requirement, prior to commencing employment.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the guidance of the Manager of HR – Employee Services, the Disability Management Coordinator has the following duties and responsibilities:

Disability Management

  • Adjudicate Short Term Disability (STD) claims made through a self-insured plan.

  • Full case management for non-occupational and occupational illness and injuries, including liaising with employees, physicians, managers and union representatives where appropriate to coordinate return-to-work and modified duties.

  • Manage Short and Long Term Disability, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims up to and including the appeals process.

  • Provide information to the ill/injured employee and their manager on the return-to-work process as well as educating both of the workplace parties on their rights and obligations.

  • Apply early and safe return-to-work principals to determine the optimal approach for specialized cases including identifying risk factors which would signal barriers to return-to-work and formulating innovative options.

  • Gather information through a disability management lens, using a holistic approach and working in collaboration with the employee, and their health care practitioner(s) and manager to determine the most appropriate approach to return-to-work.

  • Assist ill/injured employees and their managers to develop a plan to return to their pre-injury job, with or without accommodations.

  • Assess return-to-work plans and goal dates and communicate with all stakeholders.

  • Ensure regular status updates are provided to managers regarding the length of employee absences for departmental coverage planning purposes.

  • Provide guidance to managers and payroll regarding attendance coding for illness and injury leaves of absence.

  • Provide timely updates to the Human Resources Management Team regarding complex and/or challenging situations.

  • Prepare payroll documentation related to illness and injury leaves of absence and communicate changes to payroll.

  • Providing disability-related statistics as needed.

  • Formulate and provide direction for disability-related policies and procedures based on industry best practices.

  • Maintain confidential work-related incident and medical files.

  • Maintain and monitor STD entitlement banks in the Human Resources Information System (HRIS).

  • Liaise with Benefit Insurance Carriers, the WSIB and other professional bodies.

Accessibility

  • Provide support to the Wellington County Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), including attending meetings, updating the yearly accessibility plan, projecting future needs and making recommendations to ensure that the municipality is proactive in advocacy.

  • Continue with the implementation of disability-related initiatives and the County of Wellington Multi-year Accessibility Plan.

  • Assist with the preparation and development of accessibility-related reports for Committee and Council.

  • Formulate and provide direction for accessibility policies and procedures.

  • Interpret accessibility legislation and ensure legislative requirements are fulfilled.

  • Identify accessibility issues, needs, resources and opportunities for integrated planning across the County of Wellington.

  • Provide leadership, support and expertise in disability related issues to staff; provide ongoing education to municipal staff and Councillors regarding accessibility.

Miscellaneous Functions

  • Provide input and participate in wellness-related initiatives as required.

  • Trained in and knowledge of the Health, Safety, and Wellness Coordinator role and provide coverage and functional advice in the incumbent’s absence.

  • Provide first-level back-up for Critical Incident Response in the absence of the Health, Safety and Wellness Coordinator.

  • Other duties as assigned.

  • There are no reports directly to this position.

PROBLEM SOLVING RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Able to respond to disability management related concerns from any level of the corporation.

  • Ability and knowledge to effectively adjudicate STD claims in a fair and timely manner.

  • Provide modified work and accommodation solutions as needed for employees.

CONTACTS:

  • WSIB

  • Long Term Disability Benefit Insurance Carriers

  • Various Health Care Professionals within the community

  • County of Wellington legal representatives

  • Municipalities health and safety working groups

  • County of Wellington Employees at all levels

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Two year college diploma in Health Sciences or a related area.

  • Post-graduate certificate in Disability Management or a related area is preferred.

  • Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) or Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) designation is considered an asset.

  • Minimum four years or experience or equivalent with a focus on disability management or a related area.

  • Experience adjudicating disability claims for Short Term Disability and acting as a liaison with Long Term Disability insurance carriers is preferred.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of disability management and return-to-work practices and processes.

  • Thorough working knowledge of all relevant legislation including, but not limited to, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Human Rights Code and Employment Standards Act.

  • Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is preferred.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Excellent organizational skills with ability to perform administrative tasks with high degree of accuracy.

  • Ability to maintain excellent and detailed records, and communicate effectively with internal staff, employee associations, community, and provincial agencies, elected officials, and the public.

  • A valid driver’s licence (minimum G2 Class) and access to a reliable vehicle.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

  • Able to multitask and prioritize.

  • Excellent customer service and communication skills, including the ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

  • Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

  • Working knowledge of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).

This position offers a comprehensive benefit package and a salary range of:  $78,005.20 to $91,236.60 (2022 Non-Union Compensation Grid), based on a 35 hour work week.

Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume, clearly marked Posting #395-22 by Friday, November 4 at 4:00 pm.

Location: Administration Centre, 74 Woolwich Street, Guelph, and Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home, 474 Charles Allan Way, Fergus; flexibility of location is required.

ATTENTION:  HR DEPARTMENT, County of Wellington Administration Centre, 74 Woolwich Street, Guelph ON N1H 3T9.  E: careers@wellington.ca or F: 519.837.8882. Please respond by one method of application only. No phone calls please. Personal information in relation to the recruitment and hiring process is collected under the authority outlined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodation for disabilities is available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants must make their needs known in advance.