ADA Specialist

Unum•Portland, ME

1d•$45,600 - $86,200

About The Position

The ADA Specialist is a professional-level position in Unum’s Leave Management Center. The specialist serves as a single point of contact for customer employers, helping them understand individual claim and leave status and providing education and consultation about disability-related matters, Unum communications, processes, and benefits. The role educates customers about stay-at-work, return-to-work, and workplace-adjustment considerations. The ADA Specialist facilitates ADA file reviews for employees with medical conditions who request help staying at or returning to work after a leave. The specialist obtains and reviews medical and job-duty information, recommends whether an employee may qualify for worksite assistance under applicable state and federal regulations, and identifies potential modifications. The role coordinates with vocational and clinical resources as needed and works with managers and employees to support agreement on effective modifications, with follow-up to assess their effectiveness. Occasional travel is possible.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant business experience.
Demonstrated experience and proficiency in disability management, leave management, workers’ compensation administration, clinical and/or vocational rehabilitation, disability case management, or human resources.
Grounding in legal issues pertaining to disability and absence management, particularly knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and state leave laws.
Proven excellence in persuasion and negotiation skills.
Demonstrated collaborative behavior and ability to be a strong team player.
Creativity and problem-solving skills, including analyzing impacts and implications of viable approaches, identifying alternatives, and achieving resolution.
Ability to work independently and produce results in a timely manner.
Analytical skills, including ability to produce credible reports and documents on related topics.
Ability to participate effectively in relatively ambiguous work situations and structures.
Sensitivity, encouragement, and discretion when working with customer employees to encourage return to work or stay at work.
Ability to work cooperatively with employers, vendors, and clinical specialists to conceptualize, create, implement, and evaluate return-to-work plans.
Understanding and proficient use of system applications, including tools for tracking, documenting, and/or diary systems.

Responsibilities

Serve as the single point of contact for customer managers and designated HR representatives with questions about ADA, integrated leave management procedures, FMLA processes, and STD/LTD claims management.
Educate and consult with customers about an employee’s readiness or projected readiness to stay at work or return to work and relevant ADA considerations.
At an employer’s request, manage interactions among the employer representative, employee, and attending physician, including obtaining required signed forms, explaining each party’s role, and facilitating discussions to reach agreement on plans.
Obtain or review medical information and recommend whether an employee may qualify for worksite modification; identify possible modifications for employees whose medical conditions or functional limitations affect work tasks or productivity.
Consider whether to recommend or proceed with an employer’s request to coordinate an independent medical evaluation.
Partner with Unum’s Law Department, clinical and vocational resources, and disability and leave organizations to deliver services.
Stay current on state insurance privacy laws and HIPAA, and help customers identify issues when communicating about medical information.
Track customer-provided modifications and ensure interactions and customer modification decisions are properly documented.
Perform other duties assigned by Unum or requested by a customer and approved by Unum.
Follow up to confirm whether workplace modifications are effective.
Travel occasionally, as possible.