Vocational Case Manager

Summary

The Vocational Case Manager plays a critical role in supporting disability claimants through three core functions: return-to-work planning and intervention, employability and transferable skills analysis, and occupational analysis of job duties and functional demands. Through collaboration with claimants, healthcare providers, employers, and internal business partners, the Vocational Case Manager evaluates work capacity, identifies vocational options, addresses barriers to employment, and develops strategies that support successful work outcomes and informed disability claim determinations.

Key Responsibilities:

Return-to-Work Coordination

• Design and execute transitional RTW plans, including job accommodations, worksite modifications, and vocational retraining.
• Coordinate job placement services and monitor progress to ensure timely and successful workforce reintegration.
• Engage claimants in RTW planning, set expectations, and guide participation in preparatory activities.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Communicate with treating physicians to clarify functional capabilities and incorporate RTW into treatment plans.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Ability Analysts, Clinical Case Managers) and external partners to identify tools and resources that expedite RTW efforts.
• Advocate for claimant needs while balancing employer and insurer expectations.

Vocational Counseling & Training

• Provide job-seeking skills training, including resume development, interview preparation, and application strategies.
• Offer vocational guidance, counseling, and education to enhance claimant confidence and readiness.
• Coordinate vocational training or retraining programs, ensuring cost-effectiveness and timely completion.

Labor Market Research & Placement

• Conduct ongoing research of local labor markets to identify viable employment opportunities.
• Analyze transferable skills and recommend alternative job placements aligned with claimant capabilities.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in Counseling or related field.
• Certification: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation required.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of clinical or vocational rehabilitation experience preferred, ideally in Employee/Group Benefits, workers’ compensation, disability management, or related settings.
• Knowledge:
  • Strong understanding of RTW best practices, ergonomics, FMLA, ADA / Accommodations and related HR topics.
  • Familiarity with labor market analysis tools and vocational assessment methodologies.
• Skills:
  • Excellent communication, counseling, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to analyze complex vocational barriers and develop creative solutions.
  • Proficiency in case management systems and documentation standards.