Vocational Disab Examiner I-DDS Everett

Vocational Disability Examiner I

Mass Ability and the Disability Determination Services (DSS) Unit is seeking experienced and mission-driven individuals to fill the role of Vocational Disability Examiner. In this role, the selected candidates will adjudicate SSA Disability cases; review decisions and appeals on previously adjudicated cases, and analyze findings of fact in prior decisions. The Vocational Disability Examiner will also evaluate applicants' eligibility for disability insurance benefits, contact applicants and others to verify information, confer with medical consultants to evaluate diagnoses, determine need for consultative examinations, and prepare detailed determination rationale.

At Mass Ability, we are driven by a fundamental belief that we are all different but connected - individuals who share a common purpose and who bring our own talents, ingenuity, and perspective to achieve our vision. That belief puts diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of everything we do. We are keenly aware of the barriers that many of us face as we strive to live life on our own terms.

That's why, as a community, we are committed to always being part of the solution. This work is essential to who we are as an organization. Together, we are making a better state possible for everyone. As a team member, you'll join an agency that values a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high-performance teams, individual contribution/impact, and engagement in activities to promote and support programs, divisions, and the overall agency vision and mission.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Analyze findings of fact in initial claims including medical, psychiatric, psychological, vocational and educational information for consistency with evidence submitted by claimant and/or others to determine whether all information is valid, consistent and sufficient to determine eligibility and whether all information has been properly weighted as well as determining potential need for DPH child referrals.
• Review previously adjudicated cases and determine need for reopening. Based on findings of facts, affirm or reverse original case decisions and recommend continuation or cessation of benefits with referral to DHU when necessary.
• Confer with medical and psychological consultants to determine merits of cases and necessity of obtaining additional information, and resolve cases by confirming or rebutting opinion or conflicting evidence submitted by claimant, physicians, employers or other parties involved.
• Confer with the consultants to determine the need for consultative examinations and tests to provide medical and/or psychiatric evidence.
• Contact applicants, applicants' physicians, hospitals, school, third party sources and places of employment to verify, clarify, elaborate on, or supplement previously submitted data and advise applicants on how to obtain required information to support claim.
• Confer with consultants to evaluate diagnoses, prognoses, and degree of medical and mental impairments and compare medical information with vocational impairment on clients in order to determine extent of vocational impairment.
• Determine date of onset of disability by reviewing work history and establishes reevaluation date for all allowed cases.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to develop strong working relationships and work collaboratively with diverse entities within public and private sectors.
• Capability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing assigned program activities.
• Ability to analyze, present, and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information, maintain accurate records.
• Responsible for learning and staying up to date on MRC's diversity, equity, inclusion and racial equity skills, results and expectations specific to DDS programs.
• Experience working in a team culture that values inclusivity, performance, transparency, and authenticity.
• Knowledge of and experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial equity and effective engagement across differences.
• Experience working in a team culture that values inclusivity, performance, transparency, and authenticity.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook as well as technologies supporting Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Solid written and oral communication skills and proficiency establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of diverse consumers, families, staff, and organizations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of reference sources for occupational information.
• Experience with…