WORKERS' COMP. MEDIATION SPECIALIST - 72391

Executive Service

Who we are and what we do:

The Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation is the regulatory agency over the workers' compensation system in Tennessee. Employers who are subject to the Workers' Compensation Act, insurers, and medical providers are regulated by the Bureau. We work with employers, injured workers, and claims professionals to educate the public about workers' compensation benefits and resolve workers compensation benefit disputes.

How you make a difference in this role:

In this role, you will help families recover from workplace injuries by helping injured workers receive medical benefits, maintain their incomes, and return to work. You will help employers maintain productivity, morale, and a productive workforce. You will help insurance companies more efficiently process claims and reduce the impact conflict has on the workers' compensation system.

Job Overview:

Under general supervision, is responsible for workers' compensation claims mediation work of considerable difficulty; and performs related work as required. An employee in this class handles complex issues related to workers' compensation benefits and services as a resource to less experienced staff. Work includes evaluating, mediating and resolving disputed issues in workers' compensation claims in the benefit review conferences.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Facilitates negotiations in Workers' Compensation disputes and effectively manages high conflict situations. Develops and implements creative mediation strategies to educate, influence, and persuade parties to make informed decisions.

2. Study emerging areas of the law and alternative dispute resolution techniques. Collaborates with co-workers, and other workers' compensation programs for information exchange and referrals.

3. Manages assigned work activities to adhere to bureau and statutory deadlines. Compiles and enters detailed notes into database for each claim.

4. Questions parties for clarification of a workers' compensation claim or explanation of a party's position on an issue. Challenges legal arguments and firmly held beliefs.

5. Reviews pertinent case facts from documentation for each case. Compares information gathered during the investigation to requirements of the law to support resolution. Applies relevant law to the facts of each case.

6. Organizes and manages case files for electronic storage, ensuring detailed notes and proper documentation are entered into the database. Accurately documents terms of mediation conclusion, forwards case for adjudication, and submits statistical reports on claim activity.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree; and experience equivalent to five years of full-time work in one or a combination of the following: administering insurance or workers' compensation claims; conducting mediations; or providing professional health care or vocational rehabilitation services to clients. Additional qualifying experience as described above may substitute for the required education to a minimum of four years. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree with emphasis in business administration and management, criminal justice, labor/industrial relations, health care administration, insurance and risk management, occupational therapy, physical therapy, paralegal studies, political science, and/or public administration; and experience equivalent to two years of full-time work in one or a combination of the following: administering insurance or workers' compensation claims; advising or representing clients through legal arbitration; or providing professional health care or vocational rehabilitation services for clients. Graduation from an approved school of law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree and experience equivalent to two years of full-time work in one or a combination of the following: administering insurance or workers' compensation claims; advising or representing clients through legal arbitration; or providing professional health care or vocational rehabilitation services for clients. Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must be eligible to become a notary public and a valid motor vehicle operator's license may be required for employment.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.