Abilities Specialist

If you take pride in being compassionate, honest, professional and safe, consider an exciting and rewarding career at Shannex. Our communities offer more than a place to work - they welcome and celebrate _Great People_ who inspire meaningful connections while _Leading the Way to Better Living_.

We are searching for an **Abilities Specialist **to join our Health, Wellness and Safety Team based in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia.

**Meaningful Benefits**

You will be surrounded by supportive and talented team members who make our communities great places to live, work and visit. As an established and respected organization in the healthcare sector, Shannex offers opportunities for growth, development and advancement. And at the end of every day, you will know you’ve made a measured difference in the lives of our residents. Additional benefits include:

- Comprehensive health and dental benefits plan including an Employee and Family Assistance Program
- Access to virtual healthcare 24/7 for FREE through the group health benefit plan
- RRSP program (with employer matching)
- Vacation accrual (begins immediately) and travel insurance
- Free onsite parking
- Access to thousands of vendors offering perks and discounts through our WorkPerks program
- Access to continuing education and training through Shannex’s Centre of Excellence
- Opportunities to be part of sector innovation and continuous improvement initiatives
- Recognition and Rewards for service excellence and safety

**About the Opportunity**

Responsible for our sites in the HRM region, while supporting other sites as needed, the Abilities Specialist will:

- Review occupational incident reports to ensure compliance with expectations in the Working to Well program (e.g., appropriate documentation, investigation, corrective action, modified duty consideration)
- Provide injury/illness intake, assessment, contact and follow up with injured/ill worker, employer, provider, and other appropriate stakeholders
- Act as the point of contact for WCB and physiotherapy clinics
- Liaise between other healthcare providers and gather appropriate objective medical information upon an accommodation request
- Obtain history of present injury, and triage to most appropriate level of care including third party health care providers if appropriate
- Evaluate injuries against current job functions, determines mechanism of injury, and takes related medical history and develop a modified duty plan as needed
- Analyze work environments to identify health and ergonomic hazards
- Interact with Human Resources, Health and Safety staff, local medical providers and other designated personnel for proper initiation and follow-up of possible work-related injuries and illnesses
- Serve as an advocate for the injured/ill worker during the recovery process; provides support, information, and education to improve the employee’s knowledge about their health and self-care, and enhances their understanding of the health care treatment plan and process with the goal of safe return to work
- Provide Health Education and Counselling as needed and referral to EFAP when appropriate
- Develop and maintains complete, accurate and confidential employee health records
- Support the sites to develop a safety culture and identify opportunities for health and safety improvements, through attendance at OHS committees, provision of safety statistics, and recommendations for improvement among others.
- Participate in training and professional development opportunities
- Provide training to employees and managers in Health, Wellness and Safety matters to the workforce to support goals

**About You**

In addition to placing high value on continuous improvement, collaboration and accountability, you bring:

- A minimum of 5 years experience in the Disability Management field
- Post-secondary education in BSc. (Nursing); BSc. (Kinesiology); MSc. (Occupational Therapy); MSc. (Physiotherapy); or a Certificate in Disability Management
- Current/previous experience in offering a broad range of services, preferably in a large, complex unionized environment
- In-depth knowledge of provincial Human Rights legislation, workers compensation board regulations, provisions of collective agreements and various labour organizations in Nova Scotia.
- Strong time management and interpersonal/communication skills
- A passion for the healthcare sector and/or ensuring seniors have access to quality accommodations, services and care.

**About Us**

It all began in 1988 when our Founder, Joseph Shannon, purchased a single nursing home in his hometown of Sydney, Cape Breton. For 35 years, Shannex has grown as a trusted provider of senior accommodations, services and care in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario. Our industry-leading services are inspired by residents and delivered by Parkland Retirement Living and Lifestyle Residences, Shannex Enhanced Care, Faubourg du Mascaret, and a home care division of t