Vocational Case Manager - Chicago, IL at Paradigm

Paradigm is an accountable specialty care management organization focused on improving the lives of people with complex injuries and diagnoses. The company has been a pioneer in value-based care since 1991 and has an exceptional track record of generating the very best outcomes for patients, payers, and providers. Deep clinical expertise is the foundation for every part of Paradigm’s business: risk-based clinical solutions, case management, specialty networks, home health, shared decision support, and payment integrity programs.

We are seeking a Vocational Case Manager (VCM) to cover the Chicago, IL area to include Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, and Naperville. This individual will assist individuals with the job/career related effects of physical, psychological, or cognitive disabilities which may have resulted from work related accidents or injuries. This position is 100% remote and requires some travel in the area.

WHY PARADIGM?

Enjoy a robust support system - spend more time with injured workers and less time on administrative tasks.

• Utilize custom software for a seamless and straightforward case management process.
• Enjoy an award-winning culture with the stability and opportunity of a national company. Paradigm Complex Care Solutions routinely wins Top Workplace and Best and Brightest Companies awards.
• Autonomy to manage your own schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Schedule appointments and meet with client (injured worker), family, insurance adjuster, medical providers, employer, attorney, vendors, and potential future employers as needed and determined.
• Assist and coordinate with return to work planning which may include completing job descriptions or job analysis, assessing job modifications, and identifying suitable gainful employment opportunities.
• Coordinate with treatment providers to identify physical capabilities and return to work readiness.
• May monitor return to work progress to ensure successful return to work outcome.
• Complete Vocational Assessments by gathering and analyzing medical, social, economic, education, employment history, work capabilities, transferable skills, and labor market information.
• Develops knowledge of current job market to identify alternative placements.
• Complete vocational testing, score testing and interpret results.
• Develop Rehabilitation Plan/Case Management Plan specific to client for success in overcoming barriers and re-entry to the workforce.
• Complete Labor market surveys.
• Provide job-seeking skill training and coaching including resume development and interview training.
• Provide job development and job placement services.
• May provide loss of earning | wage loss opinions.
• May provide expert testimony.
• May identify and place client in transitional work opportunities.
• Provide ongoing support and counseling to the client.
• Maintains required timely communication and updates to all required parties involved with the client providing progress, status, barriers, and action plans.
• Complete forms according to jurisdictional and/or industry requirements and follows.
• Required to prepare organized reports within a specified timeframe, per account guidelines documenting activities, efforts, and progress.
• Document all case activity in files.
• Complete ongoing educational requirements as required by certifying bodies.
• Attend staff meetings and or team calls.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S., B.A.) required in Rehabilitation Counseling or related field with course work in rehabilitation philosophy, rehabilitation history, rehabilitation ethics, medical aspects of disability, psychological aspects of disability, job placement, occupational information, counseling theory, personal and vocation adjustment, work evaluation (minimum of 24 credit hours).
• Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or advanced preferred or as required by state law.
• CRC, CCM, or CDMS certification required.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving history
• Experience in providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services
• Knowledge of Managed Care or Workers’ Compensation preferred
• Knowledgeable of state and local regulations
• Effective multi-tasking skills in a high-volume, fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of physical and mental injury or illness, and for career counseling and guidance
• Ability to interface professionally with claims staff, clients, employers, attorneys, physicians and their representatives, and advisors and coworkers.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Problem solving skills
• Completion of transferable skills analysis and application to current labor market
• Vocational testing instruments, process and analysis
• Labor Market resources
• Occupational Information resources (i.e. O*Net, GOE, etc.)
• Ability to meet designated deadlines
• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to utilize MS Office including Excel, and Word.
• Strong interpersonal, time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.

Paradigm Benefits

• Health and wellness: We want our people to be and stay healthy so we offer a wide variety of HMO, PPO, and HDHP health insurance options with both Cigna and Kaiser Health.
• Financial incentives: Paradigm’s financial benefits also help prepare you for the future: competitive salaries, flexible spending, commuter accounts, paid life insurance, employer HSA, and 401k contributions.
• Vacation: We believe strongly that work-life balance is good for you and for our company. Our paid time off and floating-holiday programs give you the flexibility you need to live your life to the fullest.
• Learning and development: One of Paradigm’s core values is expertise, so we encourage our employees to continually learn and grow. We support this in a variety of ways, including our new Learning Excellence at Paradigm (LEAP) program.

Paradigm believes that fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is central to our mission of helping more people and transforming lives. We’re striving to build a culture that better reflects the society we live in and empowers our team to deliver the highest levels of compassion and care to those we serve. For us, achieving this goal requires a workforce that respectfully embraces differences and commits to positive change, creating an environment where everyone is able to bring their whole self to work.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.