At Houston Methodist, the Accommodation Consultant position engages in the interactive process with colleagues, applicants and leaders when a colleague or applicant requests a workplace accommodation to perform the essential functions or to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment due to a disability, maternity/paternity related condition, or sincerely held religious belief. This position recommends solutions to support requests for accommodations, tracks and follows all assigned cases to closure to deliver high-quality HR services.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Acts as a liaison between operational leadership, colleagues, and any third parties in the resolution of employees' reasonable accommodation requests.

• Guides and influences leaders on effective reasonable accommodation management, interactive dialogue, and implementation of accommodations.

• Maintains regular contact with colleagues, operational leaders, and other key stakeholders regarding progress and status of accommodations assists in the resolution of any challenges related to the accommodation.

• Works closely with other members of the team and others within HR Benefits, Employee Health, Talent Acquisition and entity Human Resources.

• Contributes towards improving department score for turnover/retention/employee engagement, using peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Engages in the interactive process with colleagues and applicants in their requests for accommodations. Ensures acknowledgment of requests within expected departmental response times and communicates deadlines for document submission for efficient resolution of accommodation requests.

• Interviews, collects, and analyzes information and documentation around requests for accommodations.

• Participates in client activities to build knowledge of the operational objectives and the culture workgroups. Attends client department meetings, as needed, to give ADA updates and receive updates on operational changes as applicable.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures all documentation for actions and interactions within the interactive process via the internal Case Management system are accurate, timely and in accordance with department and regulatory standards.

• Reviews complex documentation for sufficient and complete information.

• Stays abreast and adheres to current ADA, HIPPA and Worker's Compensation regulations in accordance with Houston Methodist policies.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Documents all actions and interactions within the interactive process via the internal Case Management system. Captures any tangible accommodation expenses within the case management system for monitoring and reporting.

• Educates HR teams on accommodation procedure to gain acceptance and understanding. Assists management in the decision-making process of process changes that would have a financial impact.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Determines trends and makes recommendations to the business on proactive/innovative approaches to accommodations within business units or locations to better assist the business.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-developmental needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in related field. High School Diploma and Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) may be substituted for a bachelor's degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years of relevant work experience. Prefer Human Resources experience with directly related in employee relations, reasonable accommodations, or related HR discipline assisting employees/applicants with accommodation request, benefits administration, and/or vocational coaching with those who have a disability

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• CDMS - Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Familiarity with FMLA, knowledge of statues, regulations and guidance issued by the EEOC pertaining to ADA accommodations

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal

• Strong computer skills, prior use of case management software, Outlook and Word

• Adheres to all federal and state employment regulations, company policies and procedures

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

 

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.