Occupational Disability Claims Specialist

Company Biography
The County of Lambton is an urban-rural area in southwestern Ontario that is home to over 126,000 residents.

The Corporation's seven divisions operate programs and services for the residents of Lambton County such as land ambulance, provincial offences court, three Long-Term Care Homes, 25 library branches, two museums, an art gallery, archives, local roadways, public health services, housing services, social services, building services and planning and development services.

Lambton County is a community dedicated to economic growth, environmental stewardship and an enhanced quality of life through the provision of responsive and efficient services and collaborative efforts with its municipal and community partners.

Position Overview

The Occupational Disability Claims Specialist coordinates all work-related disability issues and accommodations within the County in accordance with existing legislation and County of Lambton policies & procedures.

The role also provides comprehensive and professional advice, coaching and counselling on Human Resources management services including staff relations and collective agreements as it pertains to disability claims management.

This opportunity will be up to 18 months in duration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Disability Claims Management:

• Manage all active WSIB work related claims and return to work programs.
• Prepare all required documentation for WSIB to establish and maintain claims as legislated and in compliance with WSIB rules and regulations; complete forms fully, accurately and within prescribed time frames with all pertinent information including any required earnings information, schedule information, concerns over claims etc.
• Maintain regular contact with WSIB Claims Adjudication to ensure claim and appeal decisions made in a timely manner.
• Work with WSIB, Employee(s), Supervisors/Managers, physicians, treating practitioners in facilitating the early return to work; prepare and distribute letters to request additional information; review responses and implement return to work and accommodations based on the responses and discussions.
• Advise when Independent Medical Examinations (IME) are required and discuss with Corporate Manager, HR and supervisor(s) for final decision; research appropriate IME providers and set up appointments, prepare correspondence; review IME report and advise supervisors/managers on appropriate course of action.
• Communicate to payroll required payment for WSIB wage continuation for lost time claims as applicable, request supervisors update timesheets accordingly.
• Act as a mediator between the union representative, the Third-Party Providers, the individual and the responsible manager to resolve differences where a returntowork impasse has occurred.
• Negotiate and prepare return to work agreement in accordance with all applicable legislation, including Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, WSIB, Human Rights, and applicable legislation.
• Resolve complex issues (i

e:
claim denials, employees refusing to return to work) and advise Corporate Manager, HR when applicable.

• Train and educate supervisors and managers on their roles and the appropriate courses of action for an employee's accommodation and early RTW plans.
• Develop specific case management plans, checklists and timing milestones regarding time duration and specific dates for every disability claimant to aid recovery or resolution of employee health problems.
• Decide on and communicate the proactive management of major disability claim cases including the measured steps to employee termination or separation.
• Facilitate Modified Work/Accommodation meetings with management, injured/ill workers, union reps, WSIB Claims Adjudicators.
• Monitor the progress of the injured/ill worker by ensuring the County receives regular updates on prognosis and functional abilities; request progress updates from supervisors; ensure supervisors hold regular update meetings; review meeting minutes for accuracy and recommend changes if required; communicate progress as needed; discuss and resolve concerns.
• Involve Labour Relations Consultants while maintaining confidentiality; if labour relations issues begin to arise that require their involvement.
• Prepare and maintain statistical reports on WSIB Costs, Lost time Claims.
• Review and make suggestions on new policies and procedures in areas of assigned responsibility.
• Develop and delivers training, education and awareness programs focused on disability management, attendance management and early intervention to management, union groups and lowertier affiliates.
• Prepare statistical summaries for trend analysis and future planning. Provides costbenefit analysis of the program's different courses of action as a measure of the County's workrelated disability claims.
• Provide WSIB Claims management support to assigned lower tiers as required.

General:

• Incumbents mus

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