Job Description

The Workers Comp Coordinator reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

_ Responsibilities:_

• Workers Compensation Program Coordination and Improvement:
  • Reviews claim data and identifies trends, root causes, or other areas of opportunity to decrease injury, reduce cost, and improve program administration.
  • Composes reports and correspondence to ensure communication between employees, managers, Human Resources, and outside vendors, as necessary.
  • Coordinates scheduling of periodic claim review sessions with Third Party Administrator(s).
  • Responsible for updating, monitoring, and communicating any service level agreements issues or changes with the vendor.
  • Reviews occupational injury/illness and workers compensation-related information and reports this to the appropriate staff and regulatory agencies.
  • Participates in quality improvement projects, as requested.
  • Provides expert consulting with the case management of Workers Compensation and Leave of Absence.
  • Codes timecards for the individuals on workers compensation.
  • Responds to telephone inquiries from employees and outside vendors answering and resolving routine questions, issues, and works with managers and Human Resources as appropriate to resolve more complex issues.
  • Coordinates the transitional duty program in collaboration with department managers.
  • Audits medical charges from Corporate Health, Pharmacy, Radiology, and other internal hospital charges for appropriate billing; takes action on incorrect charges in relation to Workers Compensation Program.
  • Collaborates with team members in the department to compile reportable data to state and federal governing bodies (e.g., OSHA 300 log and Illinois Workers Compensation Commission).
  • Conducts training and orientation training related to workers compensation, occupational health, and employee safety for all Northwestern business units, as needed.
• Communication and Collaboration with Team:
  • Fosters and maintains positive relationships with Human Resources team, NM employees and physicians and all levels of management throughout the organization.
  • Provides courteous and prompt customer service.
  • Answers the telephone in a courteous professional manner, directs calls and takes messages as appropriate.
  • Checks for messages and returns calls.
  • Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments.
  • Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.
  • Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, manager, nursing staff, front office staff, and employees.
  • Maintains a good working relationship within the department.
  • Organizes time and department schedule well.
  • Demonstrates a positive attitude.
• Service Excellence:
  • Displays a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance.
  • Partners collaboratively with the functional areas across Northwestern Medicine in support of organizational and team objectives.
  • Acts as a liaison to HR Business Partners, providing all needed employee injury record documentation and/or claim information.
  • Fosters the development and maintenance of a cohesive, high-energy, collaborative, and quality-focused team.
  • Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
• Liaison with Vendor Partners:
  • Act as primary contact to Workers Compensation TPA(s).
  • Reviews all reports of occupational and/or non-occupational injuries and illnesses and clarifies diagnoses and work restrictions as necessary from Corporate Health and/or TPA, as appropriate to designated program.
  • Assures appropriate occupational injury/illness information is communicated to the workers compensation claim and leave management third party administrator in a timely manner.
  • Collaborates with third-party vendor to ensure proper payment of disability benefits.
  • Works with outside counsel to provide information needed for defense of claims.
• Additional Functions:
  • Supports a Safety Always culture.
  • Maintaining confidentiality of employee and/or patient information.
  • Sensitive to time and budget constraints.
  • Other duties as assigned.
• AA/EOE.

Qualifications

_ Required:_

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, insurance/risk management, human resource management, public administration, occupational health or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in business administration, insurance/risk management, human resource management, public administration, occupational health or related field.
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Must have working knowledge of Excel.
• Excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, at all levels within and outside the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to problem solve and triage concerns, questions, and issues timely/appropriately.
• Ability to organize with attention to detail as it relates to documentation

** Preferred:**

• 1-2 years of workers compensation, leave management and/or return to work program experience.
• Thorough knowledge of FMLA and Illinois Workers Compensation Act.
• Experience with PeopleSoft and/or case management software.