Abilities Specialist – Occupational Health & Safety

Corporate Health, Safety and Wellness at Unity Health Toronto works to promote, protect and maintain the health, safety and wellness of Unity employees in a manner consistent with professional practices, organizational values and policies, and government legislation.

The Abilities Specialist provides case management and integrated disability management program for cases of occupational and non-occupational illness or injury including return to work.

Major Responsibilities

• Responsible and accountable for all claims management and adjudication of claims.
• Provides proactive disability management services to employees for occupational and non-occupational illness or injury
• Manage and lead the temporary and/or permanent accommodation process
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships both internally and externally such as employees, employee’s health care professionals, third party providers e.g. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), LTD, Unions, employee’s manager and Human Resources
• Provides proactive disability management services to employees for occupational and non-occupational illness or injury
• Timely communication with the employee, as soon as possible, after being notified of an absence. Explain roles and responsibilities and discuss and offer early and safe return to work. Forwards appropriate forms for completion with timelines for completion.
• Receives, reviews and interprets medical documentation and based on this review approves or denies sick leave benefits.
• Critically analyzes case files for other health related factors which may influence recovery time, early and safe return to work, eligibility, and seeks further medical documentation if required
• Follow disability management guidelines for duration of absence and payment of benefits
• Monitor progression throughout the program and obtain additional medical documentation when required
• Collaborate with workplace parties to resolve barriers to successful and sustainable accommodations and return to work plans
• Review job demands and identify suitable work
• Manage and lead the accommodation process through planning, implementing and coordinating return to work programs with Employee, Manager, HR, Medical Team, Specialists (i.e. Ergonomists), WSIB RTWS, and Unions (if applicable)
• Develop, implement, evaluate and revise temporary and/permanent accommodation programs and communicates regularly with the employee, manager and union to ensure the plan is proceeding as planned and are not open-ended (i.e. end-date), with consideration to Legislation, Policy, and Collective Agreements
• Monitors target dates for achievement of outcomes and/or requesting medical updates
• Participates in case file review to ensure efficiencies are met and sound decisions are made, decisions and processes are standardized and best practice shared
• Actively pursues second injury cost relief, where appropriate, with WSIB to help reduce insurance claims cost to the organization
• Provides payroll coding recommendations to management
• Refer their clients to paramedical services as appropriate
• Participate in the grievance process with may include case review, development of a case summary, preparation with legal counsel, and participation in mediation or arbitration proceedings
• Support corporate Attendance Support Program
• Liaise with 3 rd party providers e.g. WSIB, LTD
• Develop and implement improvement initiatives

Qualifications/Skills Required

• Undergraduate degree in a regulated health profession;
• Current registration in good standing with relevant professional College;
• Certified Disability Case Management Professional;
• Strong understanding of medical conditions, duration of recovery guidelines and resulting work restrictions;
• In-depth working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code as they apply to Disability Management, Occupational Health & Safety Act (OSHA), Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), and Employment Standards Act (ESA), AODA and their practical implementation in Disability Management, HOODIP
• Excellent understanding of disability management and early and safety RTW principles
• Previous experience in complex case management
• Previous experience working in a unionized environment required
• Proven understanding of medical terminology
• Familiarity with STD/LTD policy wordings and Worker’s Safety & Insurance Board Act and claims process
• Teamwork and co-operation, Flexibility, Analytical Thinking, Professionalism-commitment, reliability and integrity
• Accountability, non-adversarial approach, comfort in communicating with all customers, Adhere to hospital policies and procedures
• Excellent interpretation and communication skills
• Proficient computer skills

As a condition of employment, all external hires will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or documentation unless a valid accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code exists. Please note, if you are extended an offer of employment, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination in Ontario QR Code format. All internal candidates must be in compliance with Unity Health Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.