Sr HR Generalist-Leave of Absence (LOA) Specialist

About Us

Creating Health and Harmony, Southwest Healthcare is a comprehensive network of care with convenient hospital and ambulatory care/outpatient locations here to serve the Southern California community. With over 6,000 passionate providers and healthcare employees, our shared goal is to provide convenient access to a wide range of healthcare services in a way that benefits you, your family, and the entire community. Southwest Healthcare is comprised of five acute care hospitals and several non-hospital access points, including: Corona Regional Medical Center, Palmdale Regional Medical Center, Southwest Healthcare Rancho Springs Hospital, Southwest Healthcare Inland Valley Hospital and Temecula Valley Hospital, Temecula Valley Day Surgery, A+ Urgent Care Centers, Riverside Medical Clinics, and APEX Heart Specialists.

Job Summary

Southwest Healthcare is seeking a Full-Time Sr. HR Generalist - Leave of Absence (LOA) Specialist. This position will support the advanced administration and support of all employee leave of absence for the SoCal region programs, including Worker's Comp, FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves, and company-specific policies. This role serves as a subject matter expert, handling complex and escalated cases while ensuring full compliance with federal and state regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end resolution process for high-complexity claims, including sensitive health leaves, and long-term disability transitions.
• Provide empathetic and clear guidance to employees regarding leave options, documentation requirements, and timelines.
• Partner with department managers to educate them on their responsibilities during an employee's leave and facilitate smooth return-to-work transitions.
• Coordinate closely with Payroll and Benefits teams to ensure accurate pay continuation and benefit premium management while employees are on leave.
• Serve as the lead for Intermittent LOA, monitoring usage patterns to prevent abuse while ensuring employee rights are protected.
• Facilitate the Workers Compensation and ADA Interactive Process, serving as the primary contact between legal, management, and the employee to determine "reasonable accommodations" that balance operational needs with medical restrictions.
• Act as the internal Subject Matter Expert (SME) on federal (FMLA), state (e.g., California's CFRA/PDL), and local paid sick leave regulations.
• Monitor vendor performance metrics (e.g., Sedgwick's turnaround times) to ensure third-party accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
• Establish and execute a rigorous internal audit schedule for all leave files within the HRIS (e.g., Lawson or Workday), ensuring 100% compliance with medical privacy (HIPAA) and document retention laws.
• Evaluate "Return to Work" (RTW) documentation for accuracy, ensuring medical releases align with job description physical requirements before authorizing an employee's return when appropriate.
• May travel to other facilities within the SoCal region as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

Education/Training/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required. Experience in lieu of education may be considered.
• Minimum of Five (5) years of professional HR experience, with at least three (3) years specifically focused on high-volume leave administration.
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, local leave regulations and disability programs such as FMLA, ADA, and CA state specific leave laws.

Certifications/Licenses:

• PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP/SCP, or specialized certifications like CLMS (Certified Leave Management Specialist) or CPDM (Certified Professional in Disability Management) are highly preferred.
• Current CA Drivers License required.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates knowledge and ensures compliance with The Joint Commission and Title 22 standards and guidelines.
• Demonstrates compliance with healthcare policies and procedures at all times.
• Ability to set priorities and appropriately organize workload and complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates ability to relate to personnel, as well as ability to interact well with the public.
• Must have knowledge of PC and applications. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and advanced experience with HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, UKG, or Lawson).
• Must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
• Demonstrate a high level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive employment information.

Benefits

• Challenging and rewarding work environment.
• Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off.
• Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans.
• 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan.
• SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program.
• Tuition, CEU, Certification, Licenses Reimbursement program.
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!