Consultant, Disability Management

JOB SUMMARY

The HR Business Services Branch operates as an internal consulting practice, working closely with business leaders and managers to support business strategy and sustained performance. As the primary contact to the client group, each unit provides proactive, strategic and operational advice to managers and staff in the following areas: business people strategy and analytics, business workforce planning and implementation, organizational design and job evaluation, talent acquisition, performance management, workplace safety, organizational health, disability management, accommodations and WSIB.

You are accountable for the full range (start to finish) of return-to-work services for all employees who have incurred a non-occupational illness or injury. This involves advising and coaching management, in partnership with the HR team members, regarding all issues related to non-occupational disability claims, absence management strategies and active return to work programs.  You monitor and track key trends related to Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD) absences and identify opportunities to constructively support management in the development of absence prevention/early intervention strategies, successful return to work action-plans, and plans for pro-actively dealing with perceived and existing RTW barriers. 

You are responsible for planning, coordinating and managing all activities related to the employee’s application for Short Term and Long Term Disability Benefits, and all activities/interventions related to short term disability case management functions leading to the safe and early return to work for all employees.  You collaborate with employees, supervisors, union representatives, managers, Labour Relations, the medical community and insurance carriers with respect to return to work and accommodation issues; provide case summaries as required; assist in the implementation and delivery of occupational health services and programs; and provide disability claims management education/training to all levels of the corporation. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of degree or diploma in nursing, psychology, disability case management, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation or other health related field, including some academic training in Disability Case Management and/or Occupational Health and Safety.  

Minimum of 3 years of experience in Disability Case Management, including experience working in a highly unionized work environment. 

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Working knowledge of relevant legislative such as the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, Canada Labour Code Part 2, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Employment Standards Act, and WSIB, Human Rights and the Duty to Accommodate obligations;
• General Knowledge of the city’s collective agreements;
• Extensive knowledge of best practices in Disability Case Management and Early and Safe Return to Work;
• Strong understanding of medical conditions, duration of recovery guidelines and resulting work restrictions;
• Client focused, results oriented, and viewed as a trusted advisor
• Must possess the training, experience and knowledge to organize the work and its performance. 
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Provide professional advice and creative problem/issue resolution in response to client needs
• Provide effective liaison with external professional contacts
• Deal with all work-related contacts in a professional, fair and consistent manner
• Exercise discretion in dealing with sensitive and/or confidential issues
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently, as well as in a team environment
• Must possess excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written
• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills combined with excellent judgement and decision-making abilities
• Experience working in a unionized environment
• Demonstrated ability to make oral presentations
• Work with various corporate policies, collective agreements, procedures, and legislative (e.g. Workplace Safety & Insurance, Human Rights, and Occupational Health & Safety Acts) requirements
• Organize work and set priorities
• Exercise judgement when explaining procedures and benefits to all Stakeholders
• Research and analyze information in order to provide recommendations
• Provide professional advice/guidance and creative problem/issue resolution in response to client needs
• Provide professional and effective liaison when dealing with all internal and external contacts (e.g. city staff, union designates, all LTDI Carrier staff, health professionals, payroll etc.)
• Deal with all Stakeholders in a professional, fair and consistent manner
• Must be able to work in a highly confidential manner with all work related contacts and exercise a high degree of tact and discretion
• Results oriented, multi tasking capability and strong sense of urgency
• Proficient in Microsoft  Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) other corporate standard software
• Demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional growth in the disability management area.  
• Demonstrates ability to work under time constraints, with multiple priorities and high volume. 
• Works independently and within a team in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
• Strong analytical and judgment skills
• Has a positive, “can-do” attitude and an exceptionally strong customer-focused approach that will support the management of various cases in a timely manner with integrity, empathy and sincerity