Vocational Case Manager

Vocational Case Manager - CT08HE
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We are looking for Clinical and Vocational Rehabilitation Case Managers to work in the dynamic Group Disability Claims Offices to serve the needs of individuals who may not be able to work, due to a disability, and are requesting income replacement through their employer's Hartford Disability Insurance plan.

As a Vocational Rehabilitation Case Manager, you will be responsible for review of ADA (leave), short term, and long term disability claims for possible intervention / assistance with case management. The focus of this position is to assist disabled employees stay at work as well as in returning to work with their own or other employers. This position will also assist the claim examining staff in evaluating vocational information to determine eligibility for benefits under group disability plans. This position requires a sound understanding of clinical issues and functional capabilities as they apply to disabled employees ability to work.

Responsibilities:

• Adhere to the rehabilitation hierarchy to manage Return to Work (RTW) referrals from Ability Analysts and Clinical Case Managers by coordinating and implementing job accommodations, worksite modification, transitional return to work plans, job placement services, and/or vocational retraining to return the claimant to work
• Contact physicians as needed to clarify current and future abilities, discuss incorporating RTW as part of the treatment plan, and collaborate on accommodations or additional treatment needed to achieve a safe, sustained RTW
• Collaborate with internal and external resources to identify tools and resources for claimants and employers that can be used to expedite RTW efforts
• Proactively discuss RTW with claimants, set RTW expectations, engage the claimant in RTW planning, and coordinate claimant participation in a variety of activities designed to prepare them for successful re-entry to the workforce
• Provide job seeking skills training to claimants and instruction on how to effectively complete job applications, research local labor markets, make recommendations for resumes as well as improve interviewing skills through vocational support, guidance, counseling and education
• Actively research the local labor market in order to maintain a working knowledge of the claimant's potential for alternative job placement with a new employer
• Coordinate the claimant's vocational training or retraining program, if participation is determined to be appropriate, while maximizing cost effectiveness and coordinating and monitoring the claimant's participation to successful and timely completion of the retraining program

• Education: Master's degree in Counseling or related field required
• Certification: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation required
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of clinical or vocational rehabilitation experience preferred, ideally in workers' compensation, disability management, or related settings
• Candidates may be certified Vocational Experts, Rehabilitation Counselors, or any other vocational professional whose expertise meets the needs of the clinical team
• Knowledge:
  
  • Strong understanding of RTW best practices, ergonomics, FMLA, ADA / Accommodations and related human resources topics required
  • Familiarity with labor market analysis tools and vocational assessment methodologies
• Skills:
  
  • Excellent communication, counseling, and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to analyze complex vocational barriers and develop creative solutions
  • Proficiency in case management systems and documentation standards

• This role can have a Hybrid or Remote work schedule. Candidates who live near one of our office locations will have the expectation of working in an office 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday). Candidates who do not live near an office will have a remote work schedule, with the expectation of coming into an office as business needs arise.