Abilities Management Specialist

Job Information

Overall Purpose

Reporting to the Manager, Abilities Management, the Abilities Management Specialist is responsible for:

• Managing medical accommodations and absences for all OPS members for occupational and non-occupational reasons.
• Planning, coordinating and managing all aspects of the WSIB claims process leading to the safe return to work of employees who have suffered a work related injury / illness.
• Planning, coordinating and managing all aspects of disability claims, including assisting members back to work from short or long term disability.
• Partners with internal and external resources to assist members and effectively manage workplace accommodation placements to develop and facilitate early and safe return to work.
   

Major Responsibilities

Managing medical accommodations and absences for all OPS members (sworn and civilian) for occupational and non-occupational reasons including:

• Ensure relevant parties are kept up to date on relevant details of case development while maintaining positive relationships with Employees, Supervisors, Associations, Long Term Disability (LTD) and WSIB.
• Actively address and manage influencing factors that impact claim duration.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee personal health information.
• Identify opportunities and partner with internal and external resources to assist members to develop and facilitate early and safe return to work. 
• Interact with other internal sections (e.g. Respectful Workplace, Labour Relations and Human Resources) to address non-medical barriers which may be compounding the effects of the medical barriers. 
• Refer employees to internal and external resources (e.g. Wellness, Reintegration, EFAP and medical resources) 
• Challenge WSIB decisions on claims and prepares letters of objection outlining concerns about claims; assist the OPS in making decisions about claims appeals.
• Develop a case for appeal including review of file disclosure and preparation of employer submission and liaise with Human Resources, Legal Services, Employee Services and Labour Relations to establish case for mediation, hearing and / or WSIB appeals tribunal.
• Prepare appeals including review of file disclosures and the preparation of employer submissions to support reduction in costs and / or an employer’s position.
• Assist with the development, recommendation, implementation, monitoring, and interpretation of safety policies, procedures and programs to ensure compliance with legislative requirements. 
• Review policies and procedures to assess progress and recommend areas for improvement.
• Monitor legislative changes / collective agreement changes and modify internal procedures accordingly.
• Provide disability claims management, WSIB and return to work education / training to all levels
• Conduct formal and informal training sessions to discuss return to work strategies with internal staff members focusing on mentoring and developing staff. 
• Collect, compile and analyze safety and health information to assist with operational deployment needs.
   

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Planning, coordinating and managing all aspects of the WSIB claims process leading to the safe return to work of employees who have suffered a work related injury / illness including:  

• Liaise with WSIB adjudicators, nurse case managers, and / or other WSIB staff to ensure timely adjudication of claims and aid in the early and safe return to work of employees.
• Serves as the OPS WSIB subject matter expert, providing professional advice on all WSIB matters.  
• Develop, prepare and maintain all accident related forms and letters sent to the WSIB on behalf of the OPS.
• Communicate with employee and WSIB to ensure that functional abilities information is received according to the Workplace Safety Insurance Act (WSIA).
• Establish programs and procedures to ensure that workplace safety and insurance issues are managed in accordance with legislation, contractual and collective agreement requirements.
• Coordinate the WSIB adjudication appeals process including WSIAT.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage the financial aspect of WSIB claims including; monitor costs and reconciles database with WSIB accident cost statements; develops strategies for cost-reduction on an ongoing basis and monitors costs to determine successes, establish and maintain a database to track accident cost of all claims files with the WSIB, audits accident cost statements and contact WSIB to discuss discrepancies.
• Interprets application of WSIB Operational Policy and develops communication plan to assist members and supervisors in the interpretation and application of the WSIA legislation, interpreting relevant collective agreement / or WSIB legislation or policy.
• Identifying problem areas and make recommendations for improvement through the analysis of WSIB and OPS data.
• Functions as a resource to the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JH&SC); participate with investigations on fatalities and serious injuries and ensure investigation findings are disseminated to proper personnel including Ministry of Labour.
• Assists with development of training about topics related to WSIB, including legislation, claims management, WSIB practices / procedures, etc.
• Monitor safety risk management database for accident / injury statistics and prepares analytical reports.
• Collaborate with the Health and Safety Advisor in the compilation of quarterly and annual Occupational Illness, Injury and Incident reporting.
   

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Planning, coordinating and managing all aspects of disability claims, including assisting members back to work from short or long term disability including:

• Collaborate with Employees, Managers, Supervisors, Healthcare Professionals and Associations (Senior Officers and the Ottawa Police Association) to assist with early and safe return to work from short and long term disability. 
• Reference diagnostic standards to ensure recuperative periods are consistent with medical practice.
• Ensure employees are receiving appropriate and active treatment.
• Liaise with internal and external resources such as occupational health nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapists and chiropractors to discuss rehabilitation issues and keep case moving forward toward resolution.
• Act as the OPS representative when requesting additional medical information via medical questionnaire.
• Collaborate with Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance carriers, and Associations for transition to and from LTD.
• Attend quarterly LTD meetings with the OPA to review status of members and to review quarterly/annual trends and data
• Collect, compile and analyze safety and health information to assist with operational deployment needs.

Partners with internal and external resources to assist members and effectively manage workplace accommodation placements to develop and facilitate early and safe return to work including:

• Collaborate with Employees, Managers, Supervisors, Healthcare Professionals and Associations (Senior Officers and the Ottawa Police Association) and act as primary contact for the management of temporary and permanent accommodation needs.
• Represent members that require accommodation or modified duties at accommodation meetings, support the member throughout the Accommodation Process.
• Develop and implement gradual return to work plans (GRTW) and modified return to work plans (MRTW) based on limitations supplied by medical professionals, employees, and insurance carriers focusing on reducing claim duration and encouraging a timely recovery to promote safe and successful reintegration into the workplace.
• Communicate with employees, associations, managers, supervisors etc., in identifying appropriate modifications necessary to substantive position and / or in identifying alternate work assignments. 
• Determine and assist supervisors whether the duties offered are within the employees’ capabilities and in determining job suitability, assisting and advising on complex cases.
• Assist with the interpretation of functional abilities and relaying this information to employees and management team.
• Coordinate member needs with AMU Case Managers to understand placement needs and act as a liaison to the Human Resources Staffing Sections with respect to workplace accommodation placements. 
• Perform other duties as required or directed. 
   

Statement of Required Qualifications

Education

• Three (3) year College / University degree in relevant field, preferably in Occupational Health, Human Resources, Social Sciences, or related fields (i.e. psychology, kinesiology).
• Experience and formal training combined may substitute for stipulated education requirements.

Experience

• Minimum three (3) years professional work experience directly related to WSIB claims management, disability claims management and return to work plans, rehabilitation, or closely related fields.

Language

• English – fluency in oral, reading, and writing.
   

Certifications and Licences

• Health & Safety related certificates (Disability Case Management, Health and Safety, etc.) or in advanced process of completing same.   
   

In service Training

The following mandatory training and education is provided to all employees of the OPS:

• Occupational Health & Safety.
• Respectful Workplace. 
• Violence in the Workplace.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).
   

Job Knowledge

A solid understanding of collective agreements and unionized environments.

Working knowledge of:

• The Organization’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• All relevant regulations and legislation (e.g. Police Services Act, Human Rights Code of Ontario, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act).
• MS Office software packages.

Sound knowledge of research and data collection techniques.
Thorough understanding of the theories, principles and techniques of human resources, accommodation, health and safety and disability management.
Comprehensive understanding of medical terminology, usual recovery times, objective medical findings and medical precautions.
 

OPS Competencies

Hours of Work

Effort and Working Conditions

• Work is generally performed in a standard office environment with minimal adverse working conditions.
• Work requires high level of concentration to detail with frequent interruptions
• The nature of the job often leads to situations involving intense emotions, high levels of stress, listening to traumatic material being shared and strong conflicting opinions (at times with sworn members and higher-ranking positions across the organization).
• Work involves the filing and moving of files which includes bending, retrieving and filing on high shelves utilizing step stools, as well as shelves low to the ground including boxes.
• Regular travel between OPS sites will be required.  
• Minor exposure to individuals who may be infectious on an occasional basis.
   

Desired Qualifications

• Oral, reading, and writing fluency in French or other languages.
• Experience in policing environment.
• Competence in the use of Parklane.
• Project Management experience.