Abilities Specialist, Abilities and Health

Corporate Health, Safety and Wellness at Unity Health Toronto works to promote, protect and maintain the health, safety and wellness of Unity employees in a manner consistent with professional practices, organizational values and policies, and government legislation.

The Abilities Specialist provides case management and integrated disability management program for cases of occupational and non-occupational illness or injury including return to work.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible and accountable for all claims management and adjudication of claims.
Provides proactive disability management services to employees for occupational and non-occupational illness or injury
Manage and lead the temporary and/or permanent accommodation process
Develop and maintain effective working relationships both internally and externally such as employees, employee's health care professionals, third party providers e.g. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), LTD, Unions, employee's manager and Human Resources
Provides proactive disability management services to employees for occupational and non-occupational illness or injury
Timely communication with the employee, as soon as possible, after being notified of an absence. Explain roles and responsibilities and discuss and offer early and safe return to work. Forwards appropriate forms for completion with timelines for completion.
Receives, reviews and interprets medical documentation and based on this review approves or denies sick leave benefits.
Critically analyzes case files for other health related factors which may influence recovery time, early and safe return to work, eligibility, and seeks further medical documentation if required
Follow disability management guidelines for duration of absence and payment of benefits
Monitor progression throughout the program and obtain additional medical documentation when required
Collaborate with workplace parties to resolve barriers to successful and sustainable accommodations and return to work plans
Review job demands and identify suitable work
Manage and lead the accommodation process through planning, implementing and coordinating return to work programs with Employee, Manager, HR, Medical Team, Specialists (i.e. Ergonomists), WSIB RTWS, and Unions (if applicable)
Develop, implement, evaluate and revise temporary and/permanent accommodation programs and communicates regularly with the employee, manager and union to ensure the plan is proceeding as planned and are not open-ended (i.e. end-date), with consideration to Legislation, Policy, and Collective Agreements
Monitors target dates for achievement of outcomes and/or requesting medical updates
Participates in case file review to ensure efficiencies are met and sound decisions are made, decisions and processes are standardized and best practice shared
Actively pursues second injury cost relief, where appropriate, with WSIB to help reduce insurance claims cost to the organization
Provides payroll coding recommendations to management
Refer their clients to paramedical services as appropriate
Participate in the grievance process with may include case review, development of a case summary, preparation with legal counsel, and participation in mediation or arbitration proceedings
Support corporate Attendance Support Program
Liaise with 3rdparty providers e.g. WSIB, LTD
Develop and implement improvement initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIRED:

Undergraduate degree in a regulated health profession;
Current registration in good standing with relevant professional College;
Certified Disability Case Management Professional;
Strong understanding of medical conditions, duration of recovery guidelines and resulting work restrictions;
In-depth working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code as they apply to Disability Management, Occupational Health Safety Act (OSHA), Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), and Employment Standards Act (ESA), AODA and their practical implementation in Disability Management, HOODIP
Excellent understanding of disability management and early and safety RTW principles
Previous experience in complex case management
Previous experience working in a unionized environment required
Proven understanding of medical terminology
Familiarity with STD/LTD policy wordings and Worker's Safety Insurance Board Act and claims process
Teamwork and co-operation, Flexibility, Analytical Thinking, Professionalism-commitment, reliability and integrity
Accountability, non-adversarial approach, comfort in communicating with all customers, Adhere to hospital policies and procedures
Excellent interpretation and communication skills
Proficient computer skills

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity. Read more