Disability Management Specialist I (#RB5301)
$28.38-$34.49 Hourly / $4,918.96-$5,979.03 Monthly / $59,027.61-$71,748.43 Yearly

Under immediate supervision, learns to perform analytical and case management work related to various components of the San Joaquin County Disability Management Program; and performs related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the entry-level class in the Disability Management Analyst series. An incumbent in this class assists with a wide variety of activities designed to meet the needs of injured or disabled employees, including identifying and offering appropriate work whenever possible. The incumbent works with the Human Resources Department, other County departments, program-eligible employees, designated facilities, and health providers to help identify job accommodation options, locate appropriate and available work opportunities, adhere to legal/policy requirements, and encourage/support the injured/disabled employee to remain a productive part of the workforce. The incumbent receives specific assignments and initially works under close supervision, but as knowledge and experience are gained, supervision becomes general.

• Learns to assist in all aspects of the Disability Management Program; identifies Program candidates; consults with physicians, therapists, counselors, and other providers to establish employee's health status and ability to work; consults with departmental staff to identify possible accommodating work opportunities for injured/disabled employees; helps facilitate placement of employees, when possible, in appropriate available positions.
• Learns to interpret complex legal or policy documents pertaining to disability management; helps develop, recommend and implement program policies and procedures; helps monitor program effectiveness.
• Establishes and maintains contact with injured/disabled employees, departmental staff, health providers, and others in order to improve awareness and understanding of the Disability Management Program and encourage participation in the program; helps facilitate the completion of disability-related documentation within required time frames as needed.
• Learns to work with health providers in order to define specific work accommodations for individual employees; learns to work with departmental staff and others to identify essential job criteria, develop accommodation options, and obtain appropriate job descriptions.
• Helps provide appropriate follow-up with all involved parties subsequent to employee job placement; provides information to Worker's Compensation, Labor Relations, Equal Employment, or other disability management staff regarding benefits or case status.
• Helps collect and analyze data; helps develop, maintain and present statistical and other reports in order to track program performance, injury reduction and/or cost containment; helps maintain ongoing files and records on Program participants and actions; develops forms, Program documents, letters and correspondence; participates in the development and recommendation of program policies and procedures.
• May attend meetings and conferences; may serve on committees and task forces.

EITHER PATTERN I

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in public or business administration, health science, psychology, industrial relations, personnel management, disability management, or a closely related field.  

OR PATTERN II

Education: Completion of at least 60 semester units at an accredited college or university including at least 30 units in public or business administration, nursing, health science, psychology, industrial relations, personnel management, disability management, and/or a closely related field.

Experience: Two years of professional nursing, occupational therapy, public personnel, or health-related/personnel-related administrative analytical work, including at least one year of experience working with adult disability management, workers compensation claims management, vocational placement and/or rehabilitation issues.

Substitutions: 1)  Current registration as a Registered Nurse in the State of California shall substitute for the education above; 2)  Current certification as a Certified Professional in Disability Management (CPDM) issued by the Insurance Educational Association and the Disability Management Employer Coalition may substitute for the specialized experience in adult disability management, workers compensation claims management, vocational placement and/or rehabilitation issues.

Special Requirement: Candidates seeking to qualify based on experience as a Registered Nurse, Certified Occupational Therapist, or other licensed health professional must provide evidence of current registration/licensure which qualifies them to practice in the State of California.

Principles and practices of public administration; current methods of data management, including the use of computerized databases and worksheets; research methods and analysis; language mechanics and report writing; basic medical terminology.

Learn and perform disability management work; work effectively with individuals, families, medical providers, claims personnel and other parties to achieve a satisfactory resolution of disability-related employment issues; read and interpret complex regulations and technical information; express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, managers, outside agencies and the general public.

Mobility-Frequent operation of keyboards; Visual Requirements-Frequent reading/close-up work; Dexterity-Frequent writing; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing normal speech, hearing on the telephone, talking in person, talking on the telephone; Emotional/Psychological Factors-Frequent exposure to grief, public contact, decision making, concentration; occasional working alone, working weekends/nights, overtime, travel.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.