Occupational Medical Specialist

REPORTS TO: Occupational Nurse

SUPERVISES: Medical Assistants / EMT's

AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists in the reviewing, managing and investigations of the various workers compensation/casualty claims. Assists in determining liabilities, securing medical information and determining severity as recommended by the selected occupational physician.
• Effectively communicates with the insurance provider(s) to ensure that the organizational goals of the company and best interest of the employee are considered while maintaining adequate cost controls.
• With the assistance of the occupational nursing coordinator, MRO and compensation carrier evaluates employees returning to work after absences, injuries, illnesses and surgeries. Assists with reducing lost time for work related illnesses/injuries by facilitating early return to work for workers´ compensation cases.
• Assists with the determination of compensability of injuries and payment of temporary disability, permanent disability, and medical, legal, investigative and other costs under Workers Compensation laws.
• Provides first aid and nursing services to employees or persons who become ill or injured on the Austal USA facility.
• Effectively liaise with contracted Occupational Physicians regarding the care and treatment of our employees
• Maintain best interest standards for both the employee and the company.
• Provides initial assessment of job-related injuries/illnesses and refer for medical evaluation as needed, will perform medical triage.
• Facilitates transportation of employees to consulting medical facilities and local hospitals for evaluation and treatment.
• Dispenses OTC medications, administers treatments and applies dressings for minor injuries and illnesses.
• Coordinates with LPN or MRO when advanced nursing diagnoses need to be made, specialized testing and evaluation of results, assessments of patients presenting symptoms of injury/illness in the Medical Department as well as in shipyard emergency situations. Informs appropriate persons of patient's condition and progress and maintains appropriate documentation.
• Assists with the coordination of health awareness programs, such as blood pressure screening, smoking cessation, wellness and related programs. Supports and assists employees in health maintenance and achieving health care goals through interviewing, counseling, teaching and referring. Company resource for medical information for employees.
• Assists with the scheduling and performance of occupational health surveillance testing including but not limited to, pre-employment, fitness for duty and return to work exams. Assists in the arrangement of specialized testing such as spirometry, electrocardiograms, audiometry, visions screening, veni-punctures, and other testing as appropriate. Obtains urine specimens, including pre-placement, spot, and random drug screens. Performs and records vital statistics (blood pressure, pulse, weights, height).
• Communicates with Industrial hygiene, safety management regarding perceived hazards health problems related to workplace exposure's and or hazards.
• Assists with training activities of the site supervisory and fire safety personnel, providing First Aid / CPR, training classes to include blood borne pathogen and shipyard specific awareness training.
• Assists in maintaining compliance with medical aspects of OSHA and Corporate standards. Administers medical surveillance programs according to Austal USA's Corporate Policies and Procedures.
• Assists with the coordination and maintenance and up-keep of Medical Department, Admin, OC first aid inventory and maintains control of medications and supplies.
• Assists with and ensures confidentiality of employee health information and records and maintains HIPPA medical discloser agreements
• Records, processes, and maintains current and accurate medical records for each employee, including maintenance and operation of the medical data information system and electronic medical compliance program.
• Complies with daily, weekly and monthly medical logs maintenance and distributions. Files of medical records as necessary.
• Supervises and coordinates the activities of all subordinate nursing staff members.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE:

Required

• Current EMT / Medical Assistant certificate or greater.
• Experience in filing / managing workers' compensation claims must have 1 + years or more experience dealing with workers compensation claims.
• Knowledge of FARA/ICE (Electronic) Workman's Comp management system 1+ years or More.
• Must be able to work in accordance and be familiar with current HIPPA protection/privacy laws 1+ year or more dealing with HIPPA protection/privacy Issues.
• Working experience appropriate to the work setting (e.g., working knowledge of current treatment, therapy and medications, knowledge of occupational health emergency first aid practices and how to treat occupational injuries)
• Must have working knowledge of ADAAA protected classes
• Possess good human relations and leadership skills Ability to express ideas clearly, both written and verbal
• Ability to read and comprehend complex written material such as legal documents and medical summaries.
• Demonstrated skill in negotiating and persuading individuals including, employees, supervisors and claims management personnel
• Ability to do presentations before groups of people
• Proficiency with MS Office Products including Word, Excel and Power Point

Administrative office duties (typing, filing)

• Must be able to work effectively while under the close supervision of the Occupational nurse or MRO.

Desirable

• Ability to use PC - Office Word, Excel.
• Continuing education courses in medical field.

TOOLS: Basic office and standard/emergent medical equipment

DIRECTION EXERCISED: Authority to assign work to subordinate employees or patients.

DISCRETION EXERCISED: Discretionary authority to correct and discipline,

Subordinate employees and patients, Auditing of Subordinate Time cards

LIAISES WITH: H.R department, Operations department, Production and Project departments, Supply Chain department, and the client as requested by the company. Assist as required with communication with worker's compensation adjusters and case management. Must work effectively with external client.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles at or below the PEL, shipyard noise levels +90dB
• Ability to perform duties both outside and inside in varying conditions including extreme heat, extreme cold and wet and/or humid, etc.
• Ability to effectively perform "First Response" medical care at heights, within confined spaces and other shipyard construction areas.
• Ability to quickly respond to emergency situations across a 750,000 sq/ft facility while carrying necessary medical first aid equipment (+ 50 LBS)
• Unrestricted ability to climb ladders, stairs, thru man holes and other shipyard obstacles.
• Follows instructions, responds to management direction, takes responsibility for their own actions and keeps commitments.
• Shall be willing to continually increase knowledge necessary to stay current in the positional responsibilities. Must know the formal and informal company and training center goals, standards, polices and procedures.
• Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA:
• 18 years of age or older at time of application
• Able to provide proof of US Person Status
• No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
• No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
• Willing to submit to a drug screen
• Willing to submit to a background check

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932.

Austal's commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.