Rachelle Spease

Experience

• 

  Cigna Healthcare

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2014

  Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

  Throughout career at Cigna, coordinated return-to-work efforts for claimants on both short- and long-term disability. For four years, managed an assigned dedicated corporate account’s short-term disability claims. • Assessed employee needs and job availabilities, and determined accommodations required for employee to return to work in either same or an alternate position. • Counseled injured workers on various work-related topics to ensure job readiness. • Collaborated with case managers on a portfolio of long-term disability cases to identify workers’ return-to-work potential and develop vocational plans. • Provided training, job placement assistance, and other resources and related services to maximize success. Show less

• 

  Injury Management Organization, Inc.

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2016

  Telephonic Case Manager

  I managed 150+ worker's compensation cases.• Participated in immediate medical triage process -- providing telephonic medical case management and assessing each injured worker's current health status to address specific needs.• Collaborated with physicians and multidisciplinary teams to create plans of care for the individual's quick return to work.• Monitored claimant progress.• Documented all case activities.

• 

  Sedgwick

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

  Return-to-Work Specialist

  Served as the department’s sole RTW Specialist – collaborating with 7 Case Mangers to devise and implement timely, safe, and sustainable plans to enable injured workers to return to work. • Facilitated return-to-work of claimants within appropriate disability duration guidelines. • Worked closely with team members to ensure a smooth transition from medical case management into job placement.

• 

  Genex Services

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2020

  Vocational Case Manager/Return-to-Work (RTW) Specialist

  I managed a caseload of 40 injured workers at a time - supporting and coordinating their efforts to safely return to their jobs in a transitional/modified duty and eventually a full- time position.• Analyzed any potential barriers that may impede the employee's ability to return to work, including: the essential functions of the worker's job, medical documentation, restrictions, accommodation needs, and the injured employee's capabilities.• Provided the analysis to the physician, adjuster, and employer.• In addition, trained and mentored staff, and served as the designated employee of the Transitional Duty Program - overseeing and conducting intake, maintaining statistical data, and participated in weekly Transitional Meetings.• Traveled to the company's other sites to provide needed coverage, support, and accommodation ideas. Show less

• 

  JPS Health Network

  Aug 2021 - Aug 2024

  Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

  JOHN PETER SMITH HOSPITAL (JPS) Forth Worth, Texas Serves as the hospitals’ sole Rehabilitation Specialist for 6 clinic locations- providing a behavioral health rehabilitation model of care to promote recovery and community integration for patients that are experiencing homelessness.• Completes assessments including housing, vocational, and independent living skills to each assigned patient.• Provides individual and group behavioral health education sessions to assist patients achieve their goals.• Maintains current knowledge regarding issues affecting the behavioral health community. • Assists behavioral health patients by preparing them to return to work to include: assessments, resume writing, interviewing skills practice, and sending job resources. Show less

• 

  The Hartford

  Mar 2024 - now

  Vocational Case Manager