Accommodation and Return to Work Specialist

Job Title & Specialty Area: Accommodation and Return to Work Specialist

Department: Human Resources

Location: Dallas, TX

Shift: Monday - Friday, 8A - 5P

Job Type: Remote, with occasional onsite requirements

Why Children's Health?

At Children's Health, our mission is to Make Life Better for Children, and we recognize that their health plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Through our cutting-edge treatments and affiliation with UT Southwestern, we strive to deliver an extraordinary patient and family experience, ensuring that every moment, big or small, contributes to their overall well-being.

Our dedication to promoting children's health extends beyond our organization and encompasses the broader community. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of children and contribute to a brighter and healthier future for all.

Summary:

Reporting to the Director Integrated Absence Management, the Accommodation and Return to Work Specialist supports the Absence Management business objectives in handling complex leave and accommodation cases. This role facilitates, negotiates, and monitors successful return to work of employees in alignment with applicable disability regulations and organizational policies, in a safe and timely manner. The specialist assesses specified-physical tolerances and vocational requirements for job roles, assists leaders in evaluating a team members ability to perform essential job functions, and gathers detailed job site information from department leaders. They maintain detailed documentation, support job site modifications, and coordinate the acquisition of necessary adaptive equipment when appropriate. The position ensures that all return-to-work and accommodation activities comply with medical, legal, and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities:

1. Program Management -

• Evaluates and manages accommodation requests in compliance with the ADAAA, PWFA, PUMP Act, and religious accommodation laws, ensuring individualized, effective solutions that align with company policy.
• Facilitates early intervention and timely return to work (RTW) for non-occupational events, including development of transitional assignments and RTW plans.
• Administers FMLA-related inquiries, including process guidance, escalation management, and vendor coordination.
• Educates employees and leaders through training sessions and workshop on FMLA, ADA, and accommodation policies and procedures.
• Maintains accurate and confidential documentation related to accommodation requests, outcomes, and RTW plans, including updates to timekeeping systems.

2. System Alignment -

• Serves as the primary contact for accommodation and leave-related questions, offering expert guidance to employees, leaders, and third-party partners.
• Monitors regulatory updates to ensure internal policies and procedures reflect current federal, state, and organizational requirements.
• Promotes consistent and equitable practices across the organization through proactive training, communication, and policy application.

3. Decision Making -

• Assesses documentation, evaluating accommodation options, and developing appropriate RTW strategies.
• Provides expert recommendations while escalating high-risk, complex, or policy-impacting cases to the Manager or Director of Absence Management.

4. Collaboration -

• This role requires ongoing collaboration with internal and external partners to ensure accommodations and RTW plans are executed effectively to include: department leaders, Occupational Health, Human Resources, Legal, and external partners (such as TPA).
• Acts as a liaison between all parties to facilitate a supportive and legally compliant accommodation and return-to-work process.

How You'll Be Successful:

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 5 years in FMLA, ADA and other relevant leave and accommodation or a combination of all required

EDUCATION

• Four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
• Graduate or professional work or advanced degree; or equivalent experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Must have one of the following: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Professional Disability Management Certification (CPDM), Registered Nurse (RN), or Certified Case Manager (CCM) required within one year of hire.

A Place Where You Belong

We put our people first. We welcome, value, and respect the beliefs, identities and experiences of our patients and colleagues. We are committed to delivering culturally effective care, creating meaningful partnerships in the communities we serve, and equipping and developing our team members to make Children's Health a place where everyone can contribute.

Holistic Benefits - How We'll Care for You:

• Employee portion of medical plan premiums are covered after 3 years.
• 4%-10% employee savings plan match based on tenure
• Paid Parental Leave (up to 12 weeks)
• Caregiver Leave
• Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement

As an equal opportunity employer, Children's Health does not discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, or genetic information or any other Federal or State legally-protected status or class. This applies to all aspects of the employer-employee relationship including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer pay, training, discipline, workforce adjustments, termination, employee benefits, and any other employment-related activity.