Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant I

at Guardian Life in Springfield, Illinois, United States

Job Description

The Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant (VRC) 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 preferred

+ Case Management experience strongly preferred

+ Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or closely related field 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 research skills

+ 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

+ The ability to remain flexible due to changing business needs

+ Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OASYS, ERI, OOH, BLS

Reporting Relationships:

As our VRC, you will report to the VRS Team Manager, who reports to the Head of Disability Clinical and Vocational Organization.

Location:

+ Preferred locations include Bethlehem, PA; New York, NY; and Plano, TX

+ Will consider qualified applicants in other U.S. locations

Travel:

Minimal travel required (0-10%)

Salary Range

$56,200.00 – $92,335.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.

Health Care

+ Choice of [high deductible/copay] medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits

+ Dental plan

+ Vision plan

+ Health care accounts – flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts

+ Critical illness insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

+ Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage

+ Accident insurance

Retirement and Financial

+ 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age/service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable

+ Complimentary 1:1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative

Time Off and Remote Work

+ Flexible work arrangements (part in-person/part remote)

+ Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement

+ Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days

+ Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies

Emotional Well-being and Work-Life

+ Emotional well-being, mental health, and work/life resources powered by Spring Health

+ Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement

+ Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons

+ Adoption assistance

+ College planning

+ Tuition reimbursement

+ Student loan assistance

+ Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas

Equity & Inclusion

Opportunities to build inclusive and meaningful connections through involvement in colleague-led affinity groups:

+ Employee Resource Groups:

+ Colleague Connection Committees

+ Community Involvement Committees

A culture that encourages colleagues to bring their authentic selves to work

+ Voluntary self-ID

+ Pronunciation and