Workers' Compensation Claims Specialist (PN: 20069675 & 20069012)

•  BWC conducts an internal engagement survey on an annual basis.  Some comments from our employees include:
• BWC has been a great place to work as it has provided opportunities for growth that were lacking in my previous place of work.
• I have worked at several state agencies and BWC is the best place to work.
• Best place to work in the state and with a sense of family and support.
• I love the work culture, helpfulness, and acceptance I've been embraced with at BWC.
• I continue to be impressed with the career longevity of our employees, their level of dedication to service, pride in their work, and vast experience. It really speaks to our mission and why people join BWC and then retire from BWC.

If you are interested in helping BWC grow, please click this link to read more, and then come back to this job posting to submit your application!

• Manages a caseload of Workers’ Compensation claims: Communicates, coordinates & collaborates with internal & external stakeholders (e.g. Disability Management Coordinator [DMC], Medical Service Specialist [MSS], Managed Care Organization [MCO], Employer Management [EM] team, Safety & Hygiene, injured workers, employers, Third Party Administrators [TPA] & rehabilitation personnel) in order to set return to work expectations.
• Performs initial/subsequent claims investigation & determination within prescribed timeframes: Contacts parties involved in claim process; completes investigation during initial claim development to determine information pertinent to management of claim (e.g., jurisdiction, coverage, causality, compensability, claim data accuracy, current work status of claimant, job description, salary continuation, physical demands of job, & work history of claimant).
• Process various types of compensation ranging from Temporary Total (TT) Compensation, Wage Loss, Permanent Partial and Percentage of Permanent Partial, Living Maintenance, to Lump Sum Advancement requests; addresses subsequent requests by parties to claim via due process notification, investigation, BWC orders & referrals to the Industrial Commission (IC) of Ohio.
• Evaluates information & issues orders, makes claim allowance decisions in regard to Workers' Compensation law &/or policy develops, implements, customer care plan on all eligible claims through collaboration with MCOs (e.g. Return to Work); processes various types of compensation.
• Responds to customer inquiries
• Follows Ohio Revised Code and BWC policies and procedures
• Communicates with legal representatives, employers, claimants, etc.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Knowledge of: workers' compensation laws, policies & procedures*; eligibility criteria & procedures used for processing workers' compensation claims*; English grammar; oral & written business communication; public relations; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals & percentages.

Skill in: use of video display terminal or personal computer*; operating keyboard.

Ability to: define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions; read & understand medical reference manuals; write meaningful, accurate & concise reports; gather, collate & classify information about data, people or things; respond to sensitive inquiries from & contacts with injured workers, employers, legislators, providers or their representatives & public.

(*) Developed after employment.

Supplemental Information:

EEO & ADA Statement:
The State of Ohio is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of applicants or employees due to protected classes as defined in applicable federal law, state law, and any effective executive order.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its employment opportunities pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. To request reasonable accommodations related to disability, pregnancy, or religion, please contact the ADA mailbox [email protected].

BWC OCSEA Selection Rights:

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. BWC bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.

Salary Information:

Hourly wage is expected to be paid at step 1 of the pay range associated with the position for candidates who are new employees of the state.  Current employees of the state will be placed in the appropriate step based on any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code. Movement to the next step of the pay range (a roughly 4% increase) will occur after six months, assuming job performance is acceptable. Thereafter, an employee will advance one step in the pay range every year until the highest step of the pay range is reached. There may also be possible cost of living adjustments (COLA) and longevity supplements begin after five (5) years of state service.

Transportation:

 Position may require travel; therefore, persons occupying this position must be able to provide own transportation &/or legally operate a state-owned vehicle.

Educational Transcripts:

 For any educational achievements to be considered during the screening process, you must at least attach an unofficial transcript that details the coursework you have completed.

All applicants must submit an Ohio Civil Service Application using the online Ohio Hiring Management System. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Background Check:

Prior to an offer of employment, the final applicant will be required to sign a background check authorization form and undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position.