Call for expression of interest

If you are a Member under the Community Health Agreement, and have a genuine interest and the required skills to provide union support within the Enhanced Disability Management Program, an opportunity exists for you with the BCGEU.

Date:                                     May 9, 2016

Position:                              Community Health Disability Management

                                                Regional EDMP Advocates

Status:                                  From 0.25 to 1.0 FTE depending on location

Salary:                                  Wage Replacement

Community Health Disability Management (CHDM) and the CHDM team provide union support and representation in the Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP).

Jointly developed, and administered by the employer, the purpose of the EDMP is to facilitate an employee-centered, proactive, appropriate and customized disability management program for members with occupational and non-occupational illness or injury.

EDMP was negotiated in the 2012 round of bargaining and became part of the Community Health subsector collective agreement.

To be effective as a workplace based program, EDMP requires designated union advocates who will play an active role in assisting Community Health members who are referred into the program.  This includes not only BCGEU members, but also members of CBA constituent unions (UFCW, CUPE, HEU, USW, BCNU, and CLAC).

Position Summary:

Under the direction of a Provincial CBA EDMP Coordinator, Regional CBA EDMP advocates  will be responsible for promoting the program in the workplace and assisting members referred into the program in accordance with the Policies and Procedures and Privacy and Confidentiality agreements which guide the program (working documents including the Policies and Procedures and the Privacy and Confidentiality agreement can be accessed at http://www.commhealthdm.ca/).

EDMP advocates will be required to develop and maintain working relationships with the employer, Disability Management Advisors/Consultants and promote best practices with regard to disability management and rehabilitation, which includes early intervention, return to work and long term disability.

The location and schedule of work will be determined dependent upon area, health authority and caseload volume.

Successful candidates will be provided with comprehensive training in the area of Disability Management and the Enhanced Disability Management Program.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promote and educate members about EDMP.
• Maintain confidentiality of all employee information.
• Support individuals' self-referral to the program.
• Answer inquiries and provide support for employees in, or referred, to the program.
• Review regular reports of members brought into the program to make sure they meet the criteria.
• Follow-up with employees who cannot be contacted by the Disability Management Professional (DMP) at the Health Authority, who have not returned the program package within required timeframe, or those employees who refuse to provide sufficient information to the DMP.
• Follow-up with employees who have declined to participate in EDMP and provide them with information and guidance including the potential consequences of non-participation.
• Review all new referrals and all open and recently closed cases with the DMP at least every thirty (30) calendar days.
• Familiarize co-workers with the terms and conditions of the Graduated Return-to-work (GRTW) plan and encourage their support.
• Communicate with the DMP and employees who have been off work or in transitional work after ninety (90) calendar days from first day off work to discuss the employee's health status, to review the application for Long Term Disability (LTD) and Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) Disability benefits, the use of paid banks, and the Health & Welfare Benefit package on either an unpaid LOA or LTD claim.
• Participate in meetings with employees who have reached seventeen (17) months from the date of disability.
• Work with the employee and the DMP to assist in the development of a Case Management Plan (CMP) for cases that meet the definition of "Complex".
• If deemed necessary, meet with the employee and the DMP to assist in the development of a CMP for cases that meet the definition of "Straight Forward".
• Review all return to work plans.
• Encourage and promote the identification of either temporary or permanent positions suitable for the accommodation of bargaining unit members.
• Receive monthly Case Management Plans for review with EDMP Coordinator and DMP's.
• Receive quarterly status reports following the first evaluation report.
• Assist in promoting and identifying best practices under the Program to continue to improve employees' ability to return to, and remain actively at, work.
• Ensure the rights of all employees under the CBA are maintained and refer labour relations matters to appropriate Union Representatives as necessary.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Abilities:

• CBA membership and employment in Community Health subsector.
• College or University education in a Social Services discipline or an equivalent combination of education, training and related experience is preferred. Interested candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered.
• Experience in case management, preferably managing medical issues.
• Experience assisting clients to navigate complex service networks and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively advocate within a multi-party system.
• Knowledgeable, or willing and able to become knowledgeable, in best practices with respect to disability management and rehabilitation.
• Knowledgeable, or willing and able to become knowledgeable, in the collective agreement and legislation as it pertains to disability management, ie PIPA and FOIPPA, human rights legislation and the duty to accommodate.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to prepare detailed reports, briefing notes and correspondence.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle.

If this opportunity is of interest to you, CHDM will be accepting expressions of interest until 5:00 pm on May 23, 2016.   Please respond to the attention of Community Health Disability Management, including cover letter and resume, by email to support@commhealthdm.ca or by fax to 1-855-799-1106.

Download PDF of notice here.