Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) has been British Columbia's leading benefits provider for over 80 years. We are an independent, not-for-profit society with strong roots in BC’s health care system. We provide health, dental, life, disability, and travel coverage to 1 in 3 British Columbians through employee group plans and individual plans.

We are fueled by a commitment to keep health care sustainable for all British Columbians. Through our PBC Health Foundation, we fund projects that improve health outcomes directly related to mental health and wellbeing as well as the prevention and/or management of chronic disease. We are interested in finding people who want to make a difference and who are looking to grow their career with us.

Perks

• Work-life balance with flexible working hours of 7 hours per day, Monday to Friday (i.e., 35 hours per week).
• Paid vacation starts at 3 weeks per year, and increases with years of service.
• Hybrid work environment (i.e., a combination of work from office and work from home days).
• Generous benefits, including extended health, dental, and life insurance; these benefit premiums are 100% paid by PBC.
• Company pension contributions after 1 year of service.
• Education allowance up to $1,000 per calendar year.
• Onsite gym, cafeteria, and access to virtual doctors/counsellors 24/7 via our Employee Family Assistance Program!

About the Position

• We are searching for 1 permanent Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to support our Life and Disability team.
• This position is unionized and part of the CUPE 1816 Bargaining Unit. This position is paid at hourly rates and receives wage increases in accordance with the Collective Agreement. The wage for this position is: $6,845 per month to start (equivalent to $82,140 per year) and then progressing up to $9,056 per month (equivelant to $108,672 per year).

Job Summary

Under the broad managerial direction of the Manager and as a subject matter expert in rehabilitation best practices, provides professional rehabilitation services to assigned client groups or to individual disability claimants by assessing the potential for early intervention involving a wide range of vocational strategies. Develops, implements and monitors the progress of rehabilitation plans, and addresses expectations of all stakeholders through regular, active contact and continuous relationship building activities. Provides technical advice and expert opinions to Work & Wellness managers and staff on vocational rehabilitation strategies best suited to individual cases.

Job Duties:

Work & Wellness Disability Claims Vocational Assessment, Rehabilitation, Intervention and Case Management

1. As a subject matter expert in rehabilitation best practices, and as a member of the case management team, provides professional rehabilitation services to assigned client groups or to individual disability claimants referred by internal team members or through other avenues such as round table or focused file reviews by:

• assessing the potential for early intervention involving a wide range of rehabilitation and return to work strategies such as graduated return to work, psychological counselling, physiotherapy, mental health activation or pain management through file review, phone and onsite interviews with claimants, policy holders, employers, unions and health care providers using professional and motivational interviewing techniques;

• analyzing technical materials including medical and other reports, determining level of functionality and developing results focused, cost effective individualized rehabilitation plans to address claimant needs and facilitate early and sustainable return to work outcomes;

• sourcing and selecting external providers and associated clinical specialists to execute individual components of the rehabilitation plan, negotiating terms and conditions, overseeing their work and ensuring adherence to established standards of quality, professional practice and provider contract provisions;

• implementing the rehabilitation plan, monitoring and documenting its progress, resolving barriers that arise throughout the plan’s execution, initiating solution focused interventions and addressing expectations of all stakeholders through regular, active contact and continuous relationship building activities;

• collaborating with clinical specialist to maintain current information on claimant status while partnering with the claimant’s healthcare providers to facilitate recovery and return to work;

• within approved limits, monitoring rehabilitation-related expenditures to ensure fees incurred are consistent with the approved rehabilitation budget;

• consulting regularly with the assigned Case Management Staff to facilitate the smooth flow of information, provide updates on progress, and collaborate on required changes to the case management plan; communicates related concerns on benefit entitlement;
• completing regular documentation of rehabilitation activities and outcomes in accordance with internal documentation standards.

Department Effectiveness and Team Support

2. Provides technical advice and expert opinions to Work & Wellness managers and staff on vocational rehabilitation strategies best suited to individual cases where those cases are not part of the Specialist’s assigned case load. Acts as a resource in the sourcing of current reference information consistent with Work & Wellness philosophy on vocational rehabilitation strategies and goals. Provides subject matter expertise on a variety of quality assurance and other reports at management and/or assigned client request to identify existing or emerging trends in the provision of rehabilitation services.

3. Provides subject matter expertise to Work & Wellness and other areas within PBC and maintains up to date knowledge of vocational rehabilitation management and early intervention best practices, policies and procedures through regular review of professional and clinical literature, consultation with external industry contacts, and continuous learning initiatives such as presentations, conferences and workshops.

4. Participates in special projects as an active team member as assigned.

5. Performs other assigned duties related to disability claims, case management and vocational rehabilitation services which do not affect the rating of the job.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Counselling, Occupational Health, Psychology, Physiotherapy or related program

• A minimum of 5 years previous related experience in a vocational rehabilitation setting with significant exposure to workplace health and wellness, and/or disability management programs, including a minimum of two years working directly with persons with disabilities

• Membership with the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA) (or equivalent) and working towards or has met the requirements for the Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP) designation (or equivalent)

If you’re excited about taking on this opportunity, we invite you to apply today and start the conversation with us about this position.

Please apply via our website this week at https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/careers

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

PBC is an Indigenous Works employer of choice, an Insurance Business Canada Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award winner, one of Canada’s Greenest employers, a Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) employer partner, and a Pride at Work partner.

We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and employees feel empowered to freely participate and contribute regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, education level, parental status, or socioeconomic status. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

To request an accommodation in completing this job application, testing, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected]. These accommodation requests will be reviewed confidentially and, on a case-by-case basis by Human Resources.