Disability Examiner Trainee

About the Role

The Division of Disability Determination Services (DDS) produces accurate and timely disability determinations for Colorado residents, following Social Security Administration (SSA) rules and regulations. DDS receives applications from SSA and makes medical eligibility determinations using SSA’s criteria, found in the Program Operations Manual and Statistics (POMS) and judicial Social Security Rulings (SSRs). DDS is 100% funded by SSA.

Position Overview

• Hybrid Position - 2 days minimum On-site
• The first 13 weeks may be 100% onsite for intensive programming training.
• These working arrangements are subject to change.

Key Responsibilities

Adjudication and Documentation

• With supervisory oversight, determines medical eligibility for disability benefits under the SSDI/SSI Program by gathering, evaluating, and analyzing medical and non-medical data.
• Independently reviews and analyzes evidence of illness, injury, disease, or other medical conditions and vocational factors that prevent an individual from working or gaining employment.
• Renders a determination to approve or deny disability benefits.
• Gathers data through electronic requests via email and SSA/DDS software programs, and through written and verbal correspondence.
• Consolidates and correlates data with SSDI/SSI program regulations, directives, and agency guidelines to determine an applicant’s ability to perform physical/mental work-related functions.
• Evaluates continuing eligibility for individuals already receiving medical benefits using medical improvement standards.
• Determines which claims will receive immediate temporary disability payments based on preliminary evidence and Social Security disability regulations, program directives, and agency guidelines.
• Prepares medical and psychological assessments to allow experienced adjudicators to expedite initial disability determinations.
• Coordinates and consults with State Agency Medical Consultants (SAMC) for signatory input.
• Documents the disability decision by citing legal references from the Social Security regulations.
• Writes rationale to explain and justify the disability decision.
• Documents/records decisions and rationale by keyboarding information into appropriate SSA/DDS software programs.

Development

• Interviews applicants, various professionals (doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.), and other interested parties to obtain necessary information.
• Documents information by keyboarding it into appropriate SSA/DDS software programs.
• Explains Social Security disability programs to applicants, the public, and various other professionals via in-person, phone, SSA/DDS software programs, mail, and email.
• Confers and collaborates with DDS contract medical consultants and other DDS specialists to clarify gathered data as needed via in-person, SSA/DDS software programs, written and verbal correspondence, and email.
• Authorizes the purchase of medical exams, tests, and procedures from physicians, hospitals, and laboratories.
• Communicates authorizations by keyboarding information into appropriate SSA/DDS software programs.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Social Security Administration (SSA) rules and regulations
• Program Operations Manual and Statistics (POMS)
• Social Security Rulings (SSRs)
• SSA/DDS software programs
• Email
• Basic computer software

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned.
• OR A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years.

Substitutions for Degree

• Experience in a highly regulated industry, professional environment, or government agency (State, Federal, County) where policy evaluation and application are required, such as:
• Claims adjuster, examiner, or investigator
• Project/office management
• Business Support Services/Analyst
• Supervisory/Management
• Accounting/Auditing
• Case Management
• Paralegal/Contract management
• Medical/Veterinarian Technician

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Proficiency using basic computer software and email
• Keyboarding proficiency
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent decision-making skills
• Ability to work with a diverse constituency
• Relevant years of state service experience.

Conditions of Employment

• Standard background check and reference check required.
• Requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application and throughout employment.
• HSPD-12 (Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12) federal credentialing, Tier 2 (including Fair Credit Report).
• Former State employees with disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination must disclose this information and explain why it should not disqualify them.