Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) has been British Columbia's leading benefits provider for over 80 years. We are an independent, not-for-profit society with strong roots in BC’s health care system. We provide health, dental, life, disability, and travel coverage to 1 in 3 British Columbians through employee group plans and individual plans.

We are fueled by a commitment to keep health care sustainable for all British Columbians. Through our PBC Health Foundation, we fund projects that improve health outcomes directly related to mental health and wellbeing as well as the prevention and/or management of chronic disease. We are interested in finding people who want to make a difference and who are looking to grow their career with us.

• Work-life balance with flexible working hours of 7 hours per day, Monday to Friday (i.e., 35 hours per week).
• Paid vacation starts at 3 weeks per year, and increases with years of service.
• Hybrid work environment (i.e., a combination of work from office and work from home days).
• Generous benefits, including extended health, dental, and life insurance; these benefit premiums are 100% paid by PBC.
• Company pension contributions after 1 year of service.
• Education allowance up to $1,000 per calendar year.
• Onsite gym, cafeteria, and access to virtual doctors/counsellors 24/7 via our Employee Family Assistance Program!

• We are searching for 1 permanent Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to support our Life and Disability team.
• This position is unionized and part of the CUPE 1816 Bargaining Unit. This position is paid at hourly rates and receives wage increases in accordance with the Collective Agreement. The wage for this position is: $6,845 per month to start (equivalent to $82,140 per year) and then progressing up to $9,056 per month (equivelant to $108,672 per year).

Under the broad managerial direction of the Manager and as a subject matter expert in rehabilitation best practices, provides professional rehabilitation services to assigned client groups or to individual disability claimants by assessing the potential for early intervention involving a wide range of vocational strategies. Develops, implements and monitors the progress of rehabilitation plans, and addresses expectations of all stakeholders through regular, active contact and continuous relationship building activities.

Provides technical advice and expert opinions to Work & Wellness managers and staff on vocational rehabilitation strategies best suited to individual cases.

• As a subject matter expert in rehabilitation best practices, and as a member of the case management team, provides professional rehabilitation services to assigned client groups or to individual disability claimants referred by internal team members or through other avenues such as round table or focused file reviews by:
• assessing the potential for early intervention involving a wide range of rehabilitation and return to work strategies such as graduated return to work, psychological counselling, physiotherapy, mental health activation or pain management through file review, phone and onsite interviews with claimants, policy holders, employers, unions and health care providers using professional and motivational interviewing techniques;
• analyzing technical materials including medical and other reports, determining level of functionality and developing results focused, cost effective individualized rehabilitation plans to address claimant needs and facilitate early and sustainable return to work outcomes;
• sourcing and selecting external providers and associated clinical specialists to execute individual components of the rehabilitation plan, negotiating terms and conditions, overseeing their work and ensuring adherence to established standards of quality, professional practice and provider contract provisions;
• implementing the rehabilitation plan, monitoring and documenting its progress, resolving barriers that arise throughout the plan’s execution, initiating solution focused interventions and addressing expectations of all stakeholders through regular, active contact and continuous relationship building activities;
• collaborating with clinical specialist to maintain current information on claimant status while partnering with the claimant’s healthcare providers to facilitate recovery and return to work;
• within approved limits,…