DISABILITY ADJUDICATOR TRAINEE

State of Nevada; West Virginia; On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vacation

Sick Leave

Holidays

PERS Retirement

Deferred Compensation

No Nevada state income tax

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Longevity pay

Job summary

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) is hiring a Disability Adjudicator Trainee in either Carson City or Las Vegas. The role involves evaluating disability claims, applying Social Security regulations, and collaborating with medical professionals.

Training is provided to progress toward the Disability Adjudicator 3 level with potential flexible schedules and overtime when available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in listed fields.
• Paraprofessional experience applying program rules and evaluating information.
• Ability to interpret medical and legal documents.
• Experience with disability claims processing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants to obtain personal history and contact claimants.
• Verify and document medical and vocational evidence for disability determinations.
• Review applications for completeness and request necessary information.
• Prepare disability determinations and notices with clear lay language.
• Provide medical case management and vocational analysis for claims.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Technical writing

Communication skills

Caseload management

Learning software/tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in social sciences/health/legal/business/public admin

Associate's degree + 1 year paraprofessional experience

High school diploma + 2 years paraprofessional experience

Experience as Rehabilitation Technician III (NV)

Two years Rehabilitation experience

Job description

• No Nevada state income tax.

Job Summary

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) is hiring a Disability Adjudicator Trainee in either Carson City or Las Vegas. Help the disabled population by becoming a Disability Adjudicator. Joining the Bureau of Disability Adjudication puts you on a great team where you can enjoy the benefits of flexible schedules and overtime opportunities. Our Disability Adjudicators evaluate disability claims and make determinations in accordance with laws and regulations governed by the Social Security Disability Program. Work involves the evaluation of medical evidence to make judgments about the presence, onset, clinical severity and prognosis of physical or mental impairments and determination of the vocational potential of claimants to allow or deny Social Security benefits. This role includes regular collaboration with medical and psychological professionals daily. This recruitment is for position in both the Las Vegas and Carson City areas. This position is the trainee level in the Disability Adjudication series. Individuals in this role receive training in evaluating disability claims, which involves applying relevant regulations and guidelines, interpreting medical reports, preparing technical rationales for determinations, and managing a caseload. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and technical writing skills, the ability to make decisions based on supportive documentation, and effective caseload management. Proficiency in learning and utilizing various agency computer software and claims processing programs is essential for success in this position. The position is an underfill for a Disability Adjudicator 3. Incumbents will progress as they meet minimum qualifications for higher level positions and with the approval of the appointing authority until they reach the Disability Adjudicator 3 level. It will take more than one year to reach the full job title. After the training period has been completed, incumbents will have the potential to establish flexible work schedules and optionally work overtime when available. Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (Federal Background Investigation): Applicants will be subject to successful completion of a new hire criminal history background check in accordance with HSPD-12 requirements, which includes 2 appointments for fingerprinting and must promptly complete the eAPP questionnaire and may take up to 4-5 weeks to complete before a finalized offer can be made. Disability Adjudicators evaluate disability claims and make determinations in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing Social Security Disability Programs. Work involves the evaluation of medical evidence to make judgments about the presence, onset, clinical severity and prognosis of physical or mental impairments and determination of the vocational potential of claimants in order to allow or deny Social Security benefits.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a social science, health science, legal studies, business or public administration or related field; OR Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in a social science, health science, legal studies, business or public administration, or related field and one year of paraprofessional experience performing social services case processing duties which included applying and explaining program rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and obtaining, evaluating and documenting information; OR graduation from high school or equivalent education and two years of paraprofessional experience as described above; OR one year of experience as a Rehabilitation Technician III in Nevada State service: OR two years of experience as a Rehabilitation

Job Duties

Interview applicants to obtain personal history; communicate in writing and/or telephone with claimants who are injured, terminally ill and may be in personal distress; verify, develop and document required medical and vocational evidence; review applications for completeness; request and authorize payments for existing collateral medical, psychological, vocational and employment information necessary to make disability determinations; recommend the purchase of consultative examinations. Integrate physical, mental and vocational functional assessments to determine the combined effects and severity of impairment in compliance with Social Security Administration regulations; consult with program physicians and psychologists to resolve conflicts with medical evidence and determine clinical severity and/or residual functional capacity; apply federal regulations, procedures and standards to findings of fact and abstract medical and vocational concepts; establish the onset of the disability. Compile the entire body of evidence into a written medical/legal determination of disability which documents the medical and vocational facts, statutory requirements, and the occupational potential of the claimant; evaluate symptoms and alleged limitations to determine credibility; evaluate the consistency of treating/examining source statements and opinions; prepare personalized determination notices using appropriate lay language to inform claimants of disability determinations. Provide medical case management for disability claims that require medical consultation (“case management” is defined as the ability to organize, prioritize and analyze varied and complex information, regulations, policies and procedures to arrive at timely and accurate decisions regarding claims in one’s caseload). Conduct comprehensive vocational analysis of the claimant's vocational background, education, age, relevant work experience, and demonstrated functional capacity for gainful employment; determine ability to perform jobs within the local and national economy; act as an agency resource providing advice and guidance to consulting physicians and claims adjudicators. Perform related duties as assigned. Under close supervision, incumbents receive training and gain experience in the evaluation and adjudication of disability claims. This is the trainee class in the series. Progression to the next level in the series may occur upon meeting the minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance, and with the approval of the appointing authority.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

General knowledge of: recordkeeping; basic interviewing practices; rights to privacy and confidentiality of information; database, spreadsheet and word processing software. Ability to: read and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures; document facts and prepare clear and understandable case notes; read and interpret legal, medical and technical documents; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; compile information and prepare reports; operate computers and peripheral equipment to store, record and retrieve information; interact effectively with persons from varying cultural, educational, economic and social backgrounds; establish and maintain rapport with clients.

Benefits Include

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF).

The Following Are Legal Holidays

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day

July 4.................................................... Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11........................................ Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25........................................ Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255