What Does a Worker’s Compensation Specialist Do?

A worker’s compensation specialist plays an important role to ensure that workplaces follow federal and state guidelines for job safety, disability law and claims management that could affect the rights of employees or employers. These trained professionals review employer compensation practices and policies, manage claims submitted by employees, and analyze pay-for-performance strategies by researching program data and costs.

The Department of Labor oversees federal statutes concerning worker’s compensation procedures, while state governments regulate certification and compensation practices for private companies or municipal occupations.

Educational Background for a Worker’s Compensation Specialist

Most worker’s compensation specialists hold bachelor’s degrees in fields such as human resources, insurance, finance, risk management or business administration.

Top 25 Best Affordable Bachelor’s in Human Resources Degree Programs

After gaining some experience in entry-level positions, further training through professional organizations such as the Insurance Education Association, National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, or the National Registry of Workers’ Compensation Specialists can be pursued. Often, employers will pay for this training, which covers topics such as:

-compensation coverage and statutory concepts,
-employer’s liability and state regulations,
-types of compensation and funding options,
-worker safety, job security and loss control,
-claim structures and investigative procedures,
-medical cost containment strategies,
-disability and rehabilitation benefits,
-worker’s compensation in public schools and private businesses,
-program development, implementation and assessment

Professional Classifications

Successful coursework completion and passing appropriate tests overseen by the professional organizations listed above or other state agencies can earn these classifications for worker’s compensation specialists:

-Workers’ Compensation Claims Administration certification
-Worker’s Compensation Claims Professional certification
-Registered Workers’ Compensation Specialists designation
-Workers’ Compensation Adjuster licensure

Aspiring professionals in this field should check with states of employment for specific certification or licensure requirements.

Anticipated Job Responsibilities

Worker’s compensation specialists may be responsible to fulfill all job tasks in smaller job settings or only complete specified tasks if sharing duties with similarly trained professionals in larger corporations. Regardless of department size, worker compensation programs must follow all applicable regulations. Worker’s compensation specialists can expect to accomplish some or all of the following:

-Provide assistance to employees to fill out claims
-Review claims filed by employees for completion and timely submission related to incident
-Oversee that medical documentation submissions falls within acceptable time frames
-Track claims from filing through follow-up with employee supervisors
-Notify safety manager or compliance officers of employee incident and claim
-Manage incident case file and ensure employee access to information
-Provide information concerning compensation claims for medical or rehabilitation costs
-Document contacts with employee while away from the workplace on medical or disability leave
-Coordinate with payroll personnel concerning continuation of pay or light duty hours
-Contact medical providers to confirm employee’s work status
-Monitor compensation plans and strategies for cost effectiveness and regulatory compliance
-Suggest program improvements for compensation benefits plans

Professional worker’s compensation specialists demonstrate abilities to to relate well to others, manage sensitive data, communicate effectively in spoken and written forms, and understand human behavior in a work environment. Data from the Occupational Outlook Handbook compiled by the Department of Labor and Statistics indicates that median salaries for this field fall around $59,000 annually with an average job growth rate of six percent anticipated through 2022. For those who enjoy assisting others and managing data, becoming a worker’s compensation specialist can lead to a fulfilling career.