Lead Workplace Accommodation Partner

Job Description​

The Lead Workplace Accommodation Partner is primarily responsible for managing applicant, pre-hire, and employee requests for reasonable accommodations of a high complexity level. The Workplace Accommodation Program Lead is assigned  ADA, PWFA, religious, and other leave beyond leave entitlements and temporary and permanent stay at work accommodation requests. Responsibilities include providing end-to-end case management and facilitation of the interactive process (IP) according to state and federal laws, BJC policies, and the practices of the Disability & Leave Management (DLM) program. The goal is to deliver a smooth experience for both the team member and the leader. This role orients, trains, mentors, and advises DLM team members. This role requires an expert level of mastery in reasonable accommodation case management, ability to work independently, use critical judgement in decision making, and the ability and subject matter knowledge to effectively train and mentor.
Manages requests related to leave as an accommodation, temporary and permanent accommodations, job reassignments, and medical separations by engaging with team members and leaders to learn how the disability creates a barrier to performing the team members job. Educates team members and leaders on the reasonable accommodation interactive process and potential outcomes. Engages with medical providers, leaders, HR representatives, legal, vendors, and other stakeholders as appropriate for comprehensive management high complexity disability accommodation matters from intake to closure. Orients and trains new DLM colleagues. Provides guidance and acts as a resource to DLM colleagues on accommodation and case management activities and standard work processes.
Gathers and reviews accommodation request information from team members, leaders, and medical providers, using curiosity to draw out relevant details related to accommodation requests as assigned. Responsibilities include: coordinating return to work planning; documenting and analyzing essential job functions; developing temporary transitional work assignments; identifying and implementing permanent accommodations in collaboration with department leadership; leading the reassignment process when applicable; facilitating religious accommodations request discussions, and monitoring implemented accommodations for effectiveness. Supports DLM team in case management processes and assists in the resolution of challenges related to the accommodations. Serves as an extension of the DLM leadership team. Serves as an escalation point to Workplace Accommodation Partners and provides thought partnership and support to organizational leaders and team members for escalated needs.
Prepares correspondence to medical providers for clarified/additional information relevant to the IP; in collaboration with Talent Acquisition, facilitate the reassignment process when no permanent accommodation exists in the employee’s own job; recommends and facilitates medical separations when a reasonable accommodation cannot be identified through the good faith efforts of the IP. Trains, mentors, and advises the DLM team in job reassignment processes and rational analysis to determine when medical separation is appropriate to consider. Manages casework and responsibilities for Workplace Accommodation Partners and Program Coordinators when they are unavailable. Ensures a balanced workload for the DLM team and serves as overflow support (e.g., cases, calls), as needed.
Builds strong trust in accommodations services and working relationships across the organization; maintains regular contact with team members in the IP, department leaders, and other key stakeholders regarding case progress and status; answers questions concerning ADA, PWFA, religious, and other accommodations and leaves of absence; provides exceptional customer experience by responding timely and accurately; documents all aspects of case coordination in the case management system to ensure proper reporting, review, compliance, audit, and data collection; train, mentor, and advise DLM colleagues in using the case management system for documentation, organization of work tasks/flow, and data collection. Reinforces standard work and operational practices to ensure services are provided accurately, consistently, and with compassion and empathy.
Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; smoothly responds to frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events, and multiple priorities in a fast paced environment. Use strong interpersonal, analytical, conflict resolution, and influencing skills to collaborate in the IP.  Assists colleagues to develop efficient and effective work flows and standard work processes to meet and maintain service level agreement standards.

Job Requirements

Applicable Experience:

Job Details

The best place to get care. The best place to give care. Saint Luke’s 12,000 employees strive toward that vision every day. Our employees are proud to work for the only faith-based, nonprofit, locally owned health system in Kansas City. Joining Saint Luke’s means joining a team of exceptional professionals who strive for excellence in patient care. Do the best work of your career within a highly diverse and inclusive workspace where all voices matter.

Join the Kansas City region's premiere provider of health services. Equal Opportunity Employer.