Manager, Integrated Disability (Remote)

UPMC Workpartners group is hiring a full-time Manager, Integrated Disability to join the Absense Management team. This role will work Standard daylight hours, Monday through Friday, and may work remotely. 

The Manager, Integrated Disability will provide leadership, guidance and direction to administer Return to Work and centralized ADA/Job Accommodation programs. This role will be responsible for facilitating the management of all activities in support of integrated disability business priorities, to reduce the total cost of disability in all forms, facilitate return to work and alternative placement opportunities for all Workpartners' clients (in compliance with federal, state and local laws) and continuously improve outcomes and customer service. The manager will be a knowledgeable information resource and liaison between all parties involved in the client's absence programs. This position will also provide management oversight for the administration of all ADA/accommodation requests to ensure quality for all Workpartners' clients. The manager will work closely with and be a strategic leader to, the leave, intake workers' compensation and short-term disability units in developing an integrated leave management program and return-to-work initiatives that support the goals of the organization. They will be responsible for ensuring all processes and protocols are best practice and support a compliance mindset.

Responsibilities:

• Provide management oversight for overall program performance and day-to-day service delivery. The program staff will analyze reported leave requests to make determinations based on company policies within state and federal regulations. The manager will outline best practices and provide support and oversight to ensure these standards are upheld. Provide subject matter expertise during program development to interpret regulations and client-specific benefits and leave policies to ensure the accuracy of system configuration and case processing. Establishes internal controls to ensure all case adjudications are within established time frames and guidelines. Provides training to staff to ensure that all protocols are followed under legal, regulatory and client corporate policy. Research and review case law and apply knowledge and information to unusual case scenarios in order to determine eligibility of complex leave requests with legal input as necessary. Serves as the escalated communication link for all parties involved in absence program including employees, client company representatives, health care providers, union officials, and other UPMC or Workpartners professionals. Proactively identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for enhancements to processing and reporting systems and procedures.
• Develops implements and monitors performance indicators for staff. Provides feedback, training and corrective action as needed. Facilitate return to work and alternative placement opportunities for UPMC staff members/clients (in compliance with federal, state, local laws), and continuously improve outcomes and quality of services. Collaborate with the WC Claims Manager, WC Supervisors and STD Supervisor in reviewing open claims, determining best practice RTW management strategies, providing internal training sessions, developing/implementing quality improvement initiatives. Provides support during the implementation of new customers and effective integration with other Workpartners programs or other client vendors. Identify a process and structure for developing and maintaining a variety of productive transitional work assignments at all business units, working closely with transitional work managers to develop on-the-job training opportunities for transitional workers. Serve as a resource/consultant to management and staff members regarding vocational rehabilitation, job modifications/reasonable accommodations, Workers' Compensation, and non-occupational disability management as well as FMLA challenges and job analysis. Hire, manage, evaluate, and develop the activities of the UPMC Disability Management Coordinator(s) as well as graduate student externs/interns and transitional workers/participants in the Return-to-Work Assistance Program. Monitors cost containment and quality standards consistent with internal goals and budgets. Promotes professional development of program staff to maintain competency and compliance with legal, regulatory and corporate policy. Maintains a positive work environment that supports high-performing teams and rewards people based on performance.