Leave Specialist ( Exp: FMLA and other employee leaves)

About the Role

The Leave Specialist is responsible for the effective management and tracking of all non-occupational leave of absence activity for WMCHealth- Westchester Region. This includes individual case management for affected employees, ongoing communications with employees, managers, and healthcare providers, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and hospital requirements.

Responsibilities

• Monitors, tracks, and maintains all records related to non-work related absences.
• Reviews absence data, processes all requests for non-occupational leaves, and monitors all absences of seven or more days.
• Conducts follow-up activities with employees, supervisors, and healthcare providers regarding required documentation for initial leaves, extensions, and returns from leave.
• Acts as case manager and interfaces with employees, supervisors, and the Occupational Health Department to ensure the target return-to-work date is met.
• Ensures strict HIPAA compliance for all protected health information.
• Evaluates leave requests and supporting documentation for completeness, eligibility, and compliance with WMC leave policies, federal, and state laws.
• Informs employees of required documentation, timeframes, leave status, and responsibilities via telephone or written correspondence; provides a leave checklist to eligible employees.
• Ensures adherence to return-to-work protocols, including scheduling Occupational Health Department appointments.
• Monitors leave reports for expired leaves and communicates leave status and expected return-to-work dates.
• Makes recommendations for leave resolution and provides updates on FMLA regulations to employees, supervisors, and other stakeholders.
• Provides weekly and quarterly absence reports to management for tracking and intervention purposes.
• Compiles medical information for clinician review based on Official Disability Guidelines.
• Refers complex cases to the Integrated Disability Manager or Vice President-Integrated Disabilities.
• Maintains individual employee leave files with data from various sources.
• Ensures timely processing of employee transactions such as FMLA eligibility and civil service leave reporting.
• Recommends and participates in quality improvement activities for the department.
• Provides quality customer service and proactively resolves customer issues.
• Ensures compliance with medical center policies, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory agencies.
• Uses automated systems to perform work assignments.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Three years of experience processing FMLA and other employee leaves, including maintenance of time and leave documentation.
• Associate’s Degree required.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and WMC laws, rules, and policies regarding workplace absence and disability designations.
• Knowledge of ADA regulations and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of regulations governing confidentiality and release of information.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, tact, and good judgment.

Pay

Annual salary range: $65,907–$82,850.