Abilities Claims Specialist

Join the City of Medicine Hat as an Abilities Claims Specialist
Permanent, Full-Time, On-Site

The City of Medicine Hat is seeking an experienced Abilities Claims Specialist to play a hands-on role in supporting employees through injury, illness, and recovery. This position is central to our Disability Management and Workers' Compensation programs, working directly with leaders, healthcare providers, and employees to enable safe, timely, and sustainable return-to-work outcomes.

Reporting to the Senior Abilities Claims Specialist, the Abilities Claims Specialist plays a key role in the effective administration of the Disability Management Program and the Worker's Compensation Program. This role involves collaborating with internal and external partners to support ill or injured workers, ensuring their safe, timely, and sustainable return to work. With a focus on high-quality return-to-work practices, the Abilities Claims Specialist is responsible for managing both occupational and non-occupational injuries and illnesses.

The Abilities Claims Specialist position is an on-site position based in Medicine Hat. Given the highly collaborative and sensitive nature of disability and claims management, in-person presence supports effective relationship-building, confidential discussions, and timely decision-making with leaders and employees. Explore the unique opportunities that make our city a great place to live, work, learn and play. Move to Medicine Hat

Your key responsibilities

• Apply claim and case management best practices to support employees in returning to work safely, timely, and within their functional abilities for both occupational and non-occupational injuries and illnesses.
• Administer the City's disability management and Workers' Compensation programs, including eligibility assessment, documentation, and coordination with insurers and service providers.
• Review and interpret medical documentation and collaborate with healthcare professionals to understand employee capabilities, restrictions, and recovery timelines.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized return-to-work and accommodation plans, adjusting plans as needed to support sustainable outcomes.
• Identify, coordinate, and support return-to-work opportunities, including temporary modified duties or alternate placements.
• Coordinate and arrange external assessments to support recovery, rehabilitation, and return-to-work planning.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and confidential documentation for all case management and health-related activities in accordance with Corporate Health and Wellness standards.
• Conduct pre-employment health assessments and facilitate required testing.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration among employees, leaders, unions, healthcare providers, insurers, and other stakeholders involved in the case management process.
• Educate and support leaders and employees on disability management, return-to-work practices, and related policies and procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of disability and claims management processes, including interpretation of KPIs, metrics, and trends.
• Support strategic claims management initiatives to promote consistency, compliance, and positive employee and organizational outcomes.

What you bring

• Proven knowledge in claims and case management processes, with a strong emphasis on occupational claims and return-to-work coordination for workplace injuries or illnesses.
• Familiarity with health and safety legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify issues, assess options, and implement effective solutions while resolving conflicts professionally.
• Strong judgment in managing employee health matters, ensuring confidentiality, and handling sensitive situations with discretion and high ethical standards.
• Experience managing occupational claims, including workers' compensation processes, and collaborating with insurers, employers, and healthcare providers to achieve successful outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• High ethical standards and discretion in managing sensitive information.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and make objective decisions.
• Initiative, resourcefulness, and accountability in achieving goals.
• Flexibility to work independently and collaboratively, adapting to changing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and productivity software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in disability management, occupational health, human resources, vocational rehabilitation, or closely related health discipline.
• Five (5) years of experience managing caseloads for disability/ability management, supporting occupational or non-occupational injuries or illnesses.
• Certification as a Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP), or active pursuit of certification, is considered an asset.
• Claims Management and/or Return-to-Work Coordinator certification or related training is considered an asset.
• Registered, or eligible for registration, with a relevant professional regulatory body in Alberta, where applicable.
• An equivalent combination of management approved training, education and experience may be considered.

Why join us?

• Make a difference: Contribute to the growth and development of our employees, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional advancement.
• Collaborative environment: Work alongside passionate professionals dedicated to achieving excellence and driving positive change within the organization.
• Career growth opportunities: Access to ongoing training, development programs and advancement opportunities to support your professional growth and career aspirations.
• Competitive benefits package: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including competitive base salary, health, dental, retirement plans and more.
• Competitive compensation: Starting annual salary of $81,600
• Relocation assistance available.

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