Salary Range: $74,618-$107,264/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA’s Agencies/Divisions/Services, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.  
The Workforce Consultant, Disability Management (DM), Workforce Experience Network (WEN) reports to the Team Leader, works in a matrixed human resources (HR) team, and is accountable to provide expert advice to HR colleagues and operational partners on the management of health related absences and facilitation of return to work initiatives for ill or injured employees through application of disability management best practices and PHSA policies and procedures.  The Workforce Consultant, DM is a strategic partner to an assigned operational group, promotes and fosters a consultative and proactive problem solving employee relations approach and contributes to the overall strategic design and implementation of work processes that enable operational groups to achieve their business outcomes.  The Workforce Consultant coordinates return to work planning with Long Term Disability Rehabilitation Advisors and represents the PHSA and Agencies interest in the management of all Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) claims including initial reporting, decisions to protest, pursuing relief of costs, and recommendations to appeal.  Liaises with Occupational Health Nurses, Injury Prevention staff and LR as needed.  Represents the interest of the employer during communication on specific disability cases with various external stakeholders including Union Representatives, WCB Case Managers, Vocation Rehabilitation Advisors, Nurse Advisors, Health Benefit Trust, Great West Life Assurance Carrier, HEABC, Insurance Corporation of BC, as well employee’s Personal Physicians, Specialist, Occupational Therapists, and other health care providers.
The Workforce Consultant participates in the development of organization-wide Return to Work policies and procedures necessary for effective and efficient operation of disability claims management.  Uses considerable creativity and problem solving to align disability claims management with the overall strategic goals and objectives of HR and the PHSA.  The Workforce Consultant provides sound advice and guidance in a changing climate of Privacy and Human Rights Legislation, WCB regulations, and collective agreement short and long term disability benefits.  The SDM must be knowledgeable of the employer obligations in this area and aware as to when to seek advice from other Workforce Consultants such as Labour Relations.

Duties/Accountabilities:

•    Builds effective partnerships within assigned client groups including developing a strong understanding of the client's services, encouraging development of the client's business strategic plan to maximize the potential of available human resources.  Promotes HR corporate initiatives and services to facilitate understanding and cooperation.
•    Contributes to the development, implementation and maintenance of Employee Wellness and Safety policies and procedures based on accepted best practices as they relate to safe and early return to work planning and effective disability claim and benefit administration and management.  Promotes best practices in early and safe return to work from sick leave absences. Collaborates with the Practice Lead, Disability Management on complex cases and as a member of the Community of Practice for Disability Management.
•    Provides expert advice to the Consultant, HR, operational partners regarding both general and specific return-to work and rehabilitation issues.  Provides expert advice on employer and employee rights and obligations in the area of disability case management applying the applicable policies, collective agreements, relevant Duty to Accommodate legislation, and WCB regulations.  Provides specific case direction to the Assistant, WCB Claims Administration in the day to day effective administration of WCB claims arising in the their portfolio.
•    Applies due diligence in management of accommodation requests, obtaining clarification of medical limitations, restrictions, prognosis.  Assists the Consultant, HR in matching this information against physical and mental demands of the position to determine if an accommodation is required and is possible, or if requirement to accommodate would constitute undue hardship.  Coordinates with Workplace Consultant, HR in identifying appropriate alternate employment or retraining requirements when employee is medically precluded from returning to their previous own occupation.  Assists in the development and presentation of relevant training and information sessions.
•    Reviews cases on a minimum quarterly basis with WCB and HBT to coordinate case management and return to work planning.  Manages and monitors WCB claims in an effective manner, with timely follow up, referring claims to third party appeal service provider as necessary.  Coordinates disability claim management with ICBC claims to support safe and early return to work as well as obtaining funding from ICBC where possible for graduated return to work plans.
•    Utilizes operational partner feedback to continually improve delivery of services.  Supports the development of HR related quality indicators in day-to-day operations such as continuous quality improvement.  Models behaviour that is consistent with the strategic direction of the organization.  Assists with development and production of relevant sick leave and disability benefit procedures, reports, and statistics.
•    Remains current on Disability Management trends, issues and best practices through literature review, contact with peers at other organizations and attendance at seminars, workshops and educations programs.

Qualifications:

A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of three (3) to five (5) years direct related experience in Disability Case and WCB Claim management within a unionized environment in an intermediate to large organization.  Experience in providing these services in a health care setting is an asset.
Expert knowledge in WCB Regulations and procedures, Human Rights Legislations, Freedom of Information and Privacy Legislation, and application of collective agreements.  Possesses knowledge and understanding of disability management principles and best practices.  Ability to adapt and be flexible to changing priorities and manage a demanding workload, and being guided by policies and procedures, regulations, legislation, and collective agreements.  Excellent interpersonal and communications skills including verbal, written and presentation skills.  Proven problem solving, decision making, consulting skills, and the ability to facilitate the resolution of issues.  Models a commitment to service and being a strategic HR business partner within a complex organization.  Demonstrated ability to mentor and engage others to ensure success in the workplace.  Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of a team and to work independently.  Commitment to the value of continuous learning and an open curiosity for new ideas and innovation.  Ability to use related equipment including the HR information system, word processing, spreadsheet, database and internet tools.