Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant

As the Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant will develop cost effective strategies to assist individuals with disabilities in returning to the workplace. The VRC will work with Guardian plan holders, employees, and physicians to coordinate return to work opportunities through job accommodations and return to work strategies. The Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant provides assessment of LTD, STD and Life claims, to determine claimants’ level of functionality and provide evaluation of work capabilities or independence in activities of daily living, according to contractual definitions. The Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant identifies claimants that may be eligible for return-to-work planning and assistance, transitional work, job modification, and/or vocational rehabilitation programs. The VRC must possess a thorough working knowledge of medical diagnoses and treatment modalities, criteria supporting vocational feasibility, and a clear understanding of the interface of medical pathology and employment functionality.   

You are

A highly motivated and reliable individual who can work with varying levels of supervision – independently or collaboratively. You are detail-oriented and a decisive decision maker who can manage multiple priorities at the same time with a positive attitude. You can collaborate with stakeholders to provide effective case management within the boundaries of contractual definitions. 

You will

• Assess claimants medical, psychological condition, social and economic situation, aptitudes, work experience, restrictions and limitations, educational background, and behavioral/motivational factors to determine viability of and probability of success of vocational rehabilitation opportunities.  Compare this assessment with policy rehabilitation provisions and make cost/benefit analysis to develop programs to assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment. 

• Maintain proactive dialogue with claimants, plan holders and treatment providers to formulate viable return to gainful work plans.   Cost effective utilization of vendors to provide rehabilitative services to support program goal.  Coordination with public services/governmental agencies to control costs and identify similar benefits. 

• Collaborate with Disability Clinical & Vocational Services staff and case managers to move toward an appropriate plan to reduce the duration of disability and enhance probability of RTW. Serve as educational resource on vocational rehab aspect of claims. Educate parties involved in claim management regarding the extent of functional limitations and impact on ability to perform work activities. 

• Utilize standard vocational resources effectively to perform occupational assessments; perform transferable skills analyses and labor market surveys to assist Claims Department in benefit eligibility determinations.  Compare medically supported restrictions and limitations with job/occupational requirements to determine claimant’s residual functionality.  

• Apply knowledge of the ADAAA to identify effective work-related accommodations and stay-at-work options to our plan holders and their employees. Work with plan holders to identify/effectuate appropriate worksite modifications and transitional work plans to help return claimant to employment. Case management of part-time work claims to increase full-time return to work potential, as appropriate. 

• Utilize vocational expertise within a flexible environment to support Guardian’s current products (STD, LTD, Life, and ADA), as well as future products, to meet business needs.  

You have

• 5 or more years of actively providing vocational rehabilitation/case management services to disabled individuals in an insurance setting 
• Insurance industry experience strongly preferred
• Master’s Degree required, preferred in Rehab Counseling
• Case Management experience strongly preferred
• Receipt of, or eligibility for, certification in profession, such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), 
• Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS), Certified Case Manager (CCM).  
• Excellent verbal and communications skills 

• Ability to exercise independent & sound judgment in decision making 
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, clinical, and information
• Excellent time management & organizational skills 
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task with the ability to manage continually changing priorities and the ability to prioritize work based on customer service needs and departmental regulations 
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OASYS, ERI, OOH, BLS 

Location   

This is a mobile position where preference may be given to candidates within commuting proximity to a Guardian office with the ability to travel to Guardian offices as determined by the People Leader.