Leave of Absence and Accommodation Specialist, Central NJ Region

Overview

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health, we help our patients live better, healthier lives and support one another to succeed. Our culture is built on connection and collaboration, where employees are team members. Competitive benefits are just the beginning; we also show up for our community.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning and supervision of all aspects of the ADA/ADAAA interactive process network wide for all team members, leaders, etc.
• Initiates and manages all documentation of all ADA/ADAAA claims.
• Acts as liaison between team members, Leave of Absence providers, department leaders, and Team Health.
• Captures and reviews all ADA/ADAAA accommodation requests across the network and collaborates with leaders, team members, physicians, Occupational Health and LOA vendors to collect, review and determine appropriate accommodations including but not limited to alternate schedules, extension of leaves, reassignments, etc.
• Determines, in collaboration with department leaders and Legal, if a reasonable accommodation exists.
• Maintains consistent contact and timely follow up with the team member, leadership, leave vendor, and Team Health.
• Coordinates and determines outcomes on hardship requests in partnership with TMR Leadership and Legal Council as appropriate.
• Ensures the interactive accommodation process is flexible and suited to the employee's and employer's situations.
• Manages and navigates highly complex assessments to ensure compliance with regulatory ADA/ADAAA requirements.
• Acts as a liaison between team members, leaders and vendors when ergonomic assessments are recommended or requested.
• Coordinates review of assessment recommendations and works with internal partners to determine appropriate accommodation.
• Acts as a liaison between Employee Health on post-offer and fit for duty accommodation requests and assessments.
• Participates actively on appropriate committees, workgroups and or meetings. The focus is on creating and supporting initiatives for a proactive and positive team member and leader experience in the ADA/ADAAA process.
• Effectively interacts and participates with other departments in the accomplishment of interdepartmental and institutional LOA and ADA/ADAAA goals.
• Review of ADA/ADAAA Parking requests. Reviews and recommends policies and procedures for ADA/ADAAA programs and processes.
• Oversees new projects as assigned by the Director or as needed by regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in Human Resources, demonstrating a working knowledge of federal and state laws as related to ADA, leaves and the interactive process.
• Proven ability to confidently deliver key messages to all levels of the organization, identify solutions to complex employee issues, exercise influence, work independently within established guidelines utilizing sound judgment, and build trusting and collaborative working relationships within a large organization.
• Prior direct experience managing Leave of Absence and Interactive ADAA Accommodations process in a healthcare setting.