OIEC - Early Assistance Advocate for Injured Employees (Ombudsman I) - Austin

Do you have a passion for public service and enjoy making a difference? Don’t miss out on this opportunity. The Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) is hiring! Apply now if you’re looking for a rewarding career in public service.

You’ll love the Benefits of Working at OIEC:

• 96 hours of accrued vacation a year

• 96 hours of accrued sick leave a year

• 20+ holidays every year

• Career advancement opportunities

• Free parking

• Free comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees and 50% off premium costs for dependents (state pays other 50%)

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

OIEC is the state agency that helps injured employees with their Texas workers’ compensation claims. The agency assists, educates, and advocates on their behalf. OIEC provides services in 20 offices across the state. Agency services include advocacy, customer service, and dispute assistance through OIEC’s Ombudsman Program.

Early Assistance Advocate for Injured Employees (Ombudsman I) – Austin

An Early Assistance Advocate (Ombudsman I) works with senior Ombudsmen who advocate, assist, and educate injured employees of Texas. The Early Assistance Advocate will utilize early intervention strategies to assist injured employees prior to hearings. Being an Early Assistance Advocate involves: assisting the injured employee one-on-one; answering questions from the injured employee; reviewing claims for medical and income benefits; studying and analyzing the case background on each claim; gathering and evaluating information (including medical records and letters from doctors); preparing and responding to requests for Designated Doctor examinations; evaluating and implementing strategies to resolve a claim early; reporting and referring complaints; and tracking and providing information and claim status. The Early Assistance Advocate works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

This position:

• educates the injured employee about the workers’ compensation dispute process and workers’ compensation law/rules

• advocates for expedient resolution of a claim by assembling evidence (e.g., medical records, causation letters, etc.) needed for insurance carrier determinations and/or in anticipation of benefit proceedings

• contacts insurance carriers and medical providers to identify and resolve disputes

• assists with referrals to social services with other state agencies

• provides assistance in filing claims; assists with obtaining supporting claim documentation from doctors

• routinely contacts injured employees to provide status updates and discuss upcoming events

• documents customer contact in computer system

• answers general customer service questions

• performs other duties, as assigned