BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB TITLE : Nurse Case Manager

REPORTS TO : Manager, Employee Absence and Risk Management

DEFINITION : Provides medical case management for absence management programs, workers' compensation program, the return-to-work program, and for referrals from other offices within the Division of Human Resources. Works to achieve the reduction of lost time, lower indemnity payments, and appropriate plans to transition employees to return to work. Screens, assesses, plans, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates options and medical services to promote quality care, communication, cooperation, compliance, and appropriate use of personal illness leave and related benefits. Perform other duties as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES :
Case Management

• Provides medical case management for cases referred from absence management programs, workers' compensation, return to work program, the Office of Benefits, Leaves, and Retirement, and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity. Determines the appropriateness of nurse case management for referred cases.
• Develops a case management plan that includes short-term goals, long-term goals, interventions to meet goals, resources to be utilized, timeframes for re-evaluation, and collaborative approaches to facilitate the case management plan.
• Executes and documents specific case management activities and/or interventions that will lead to accomplishing the goals set forth in the case management plan. Measures and modifies the interventions to determine the outcomes of the case management involvement.
• Manages the disability duration proactively, utilizing nationally accepted evidence-based criteria as guidelines for duration protocols in workers' compensation, absence management programs, and other types of leaves.
• Reviews and interprets medical documentation for accuracy and completeness and obtains and/or clarifies additional medical documentation submitted by healthcare providers. Determines the appropriateness and executes further interventions such as independent medical examinations, workability examinations, and functional capacity evaluations.
• Refers employees to the return-to-work program, the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity for accommodations, and the Options process, as needed.
• Creates medical status and tracking reports on all case management files.

Return to Work

• Assists in the development of the return-to-work program to coordinate with schools and offices to develop reduced, modified, and alternate duties, to allow the early return to work of injured and/or ill employees.
• Collaborates with other offices and the workers' compensation program to create innovative return to work plans.
• Works with healthcare providers to return injured and ill workers back to pre-injury or pre-illness jobs within the time allowable as set forth by statute and regulations.
• Develops cooperative relationships among employee, employer, and healthcare providers to promote employee health, return to work, and cost containment.
• Conducts return to work conferences, which may include supports from the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Independent Medical Evaluations

• Administers the Fitness-for-Duty (FFD) and reasonable suspicion programs. Communicates with supervisors and determines the appropriateness for entering employees in the FFD and reasonable suspicion processes.
• Assesses the need for employees under nurse case management review to undergo independent medical evaluations, workability exams, and functional capacity exams, and executes the appropriate processes to refer employees for examinations and monitors status.

Additional Duties

• Works with other BCPS departments and offices to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding medical case management.
• Serves as a member of the HR case review team and provides updates on cases.
• Creates and conducts training, as needed, about return to work, case management and other processes. Assists supervisors in supporting employees through various processes.
• May participate in hearings as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education, Training and Experience :
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in nursing or a related field. Three years of professional nursing experience. Three years of experience as a medical case manager, including mental health case management, preferred.

Licenses and Certificates :
Possession of a valid license to practice registered nursing (RN), issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing is required.
Certified Case Manager (CCM) ( http://ccmcertification.org ) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
Knowledge of nursing principles, practices, procedures, and methods. Knowledge of the tools, instruments, and equipment used in nursing. Knowledge of current health issues and trends.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, e.g., the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and workers' compensation.

Skill in conducting medical case management. Skill in the monitoring and assessment of patients' health care needs and services. Skill in the preparation and maintenance of records. Skill in communicating effectively, including letters, memoranda, and reports. Skill in the documentation of patient records. Skill in the use of personal computers and Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and database programs. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, health care providers, and BCPS supervisors and administrators.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS :
The work of this classification may include the performance of physical activities such as walking, standing, and sitting. Duties primarily occur in office setting but may travel to offices or sites for meetings as needed.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT :
Persons appointed to this class may be required to work beyond their normally scheduled hours with little or no advanced notice.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS: Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) is committed to providing the highest quality education to BCPS students and staff while ensuring the health and safety of its students, employees, customers, clients, contractors, interns, and other visitors.

Please note that BCPS currently has a vaccine requirement for all individuals conducting work on behalf of BCPS.

FLSA : Exempt

SALARY: Grade 05 on the BCPS OPE 12 Month payscale $68,316-$105,618.

Eligible for the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System.

This document describes the duties and responsibilities of a position. It shall not be held to exclude duties not referenced nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.

• Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). Each time an applicant applies to a job with BCPS, the application must be resubmitted. If an applicant started an application with BCPS in the past and at a later date decides to apply for additional positions, it is the applicant's responsibility to review the entire application and ensure that all data is up to date (for example, the applicant may need to add additional schooling or certifications, an additional work experience, or provide updated references). The applicant must remember to review the entire application each time for accuracy and submit each time for a new or different vacancy.
• Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc. will not be accepted. Applicants should notify their reference proactively to inform them they will receive a form via email through a MAILBOT email address from Baltimore County Public Schools. Applicants should also inform their reference(s) of the job they are applying to.
• Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
• Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (State of Maryland, Senate Bill 315, effective October 1, 1986) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $81.00. An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
• If you have military experience you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
• Official transcripts for all higher education must be received prior to contract signing.
• Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
• All newly hired personnel must attend a Badges and Benefits session.
• Additional job verification will be required for salary credit.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 (443-809-8937). There is a compliance officer responsible for identifying, preventing, and remedying prohibited harassment concerning students. Complaints of harassment should be directed to the executive director, Department of School Safety and Security, 9600 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 118, Baltimore, MD 21220 (443-809-4360).

Contact Information

Brian K. Johnson
Director of Staffing
(AFSCME, ESPBC, OPE & Non-Represented)
Business Services Staffing
6901 Charles Street, E Building
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 443-809-7874
Fax: 410-296-0568
Email: bjohnson20@bcps.org