Disability Program Specialist

Spectra Tech, Inc. is hiring for a Disability Program Specialist in Aiken, South Carolina!

Duties

The primary responsibility of this position is to administer Short Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits to employees. To manage these programs, the Disability Program Specialist (DPS) will assist in providing direct case management services for employees that meet the qualifications for STD and LTD. The DPS utilizes nursing knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biology, microbiology, and pathophysiology as it relates to human disease processes to determine eligibility for STD and LTD. The DPS, with limited supervision, will approve paid time off for employees on STD. The job requires a high level of interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. The highest levels of discretion and tact may be called upon in dealing with employees.

The DPS should be familiar with all aspects of disability and the transition from FMLA to STD to LTD. The DPS interacts with employees, managers, Site Managers, HR Reps, Legal, Policy, Sedgwick (the LTD subcontractor), and employees' personal physicians. STD status logs must be maintained in several databases to track medical notes, return to work dates, time off taken, and timer class usage for TACs.

• Provide support, direction and leadership in the implementation and maintenance of disability programs.
• Assist the Lead in Disability projects and day-to-day administration of the disability programs. Regarded as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in disability programs and policies.
• With supervision evaluate non-occupational injuries/illnesses to determine return to work readiness.
• Researches and interprets applicable standards and requirements relevant to each injury/illness claim.
• Consults with employees via email, over the phone or in person.
• Uses acquired medical knowledge and background to speak to the employee's illness or injuries.
• Discuss possible employee return to work dates and review the time class policies related to disability.
• Assist in collaborating with health professionals and line management to identify relevant facts associated with the injury/illness.
• Meet with Site Medical, EEO, HR, Policy and Line Management individually or collectively as required to resolve return to work issues.
• Recommends paid time off under STD.
• Completes the required forms associated with injury/illness events and issues completed documents to the appropriate customer.
• Create/manage return to work programs to aid employees to come off STD.
• Assist in collaborating with the employee, management, HR, and site medical, if necessary, with respect to LTD arrangements.
• Track FMLA leave.
• Track time off under the STD pay policy.
• Attend Sedgwick bi-weekly to review status of LTD applications, review of existing cases of those on LTD and potential cases completing STD, but have not applied for LTD.
• Work with Sedgwick to recover retroactive Social Security awards for the time periods paid by LTD (Right of Recovery).
• Direct/guide work of other personnel, though no direct supervision.
• Involved with presentations and/or training to various site groups on the disability programs.

• Other duties as required.

• Education: Associate's degree in nursing
• Experience/Skills: 8 years' work experience in vocational, occupational, or industrial health field(s)

• Certified Occupational Health Nurse
• Preferred experience in disability case management