NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - National Guard human resource personnel, civilian and military, representing units from across the nation attended the Office of Worker's Compensation Programs Course at the National Guard Professional Education Center, Camp Robinson Maneuver Training Center, Ark. April 15.
The OWCP workshop, the second of seven courses for fiscal year 2019 hosted by the Technician Personnel Division, National Guard Bureau, focused on giving Injury Compensation Specialists experience in using the Employee's Compensation Operational Management Portal a software tool needed to file claims, as well as learning the policies and procedures that govern workplace injury and illness compensation claims.
"It's important because even though we have a low amount of injuries, we have employees who work in shops, aircraft mechanics," said James Curry, human resource specialist, Joint Force Headquarters-National Guard, Alabama National Guard. "It could be just a bump on the head, but we want them to get the best service right then and there."
Attendees to the workshop were split between a beginner level group and an advanced level group though often they worked together, sharing experiences and learning the knowledge and skills necessary for reducing workers' compensation costs and accident rates for Injury Compensation Program Administrators.
"What I'm getting out of this is what steps to follow when an injury happens at work, how many days they have to apply for disability, what forms to fill out, and the procedures a supervisor needs to know so they [the claimant] can be taken care of right away."
The course includes basic claim processing, current, and new filing systems, revised return to work strategies utilizing pipeline funding, Advanced Case Management with emphasis on significant case tracking and accommodating Title 5 converted and Title 32 claimants.
"Protecting our workers and ensuring reemployment that's our presidential mandate," said Adriene Dallas, Chief of Labor Relations and Employee Relations at the National Guard Bureau Office of Technicians and Personnel. "If an employee with the National Guard is injured or becomes ill at work, one of the first things they worry about is will they continue to get paid, and if that injury or illness causes them to lose their job or their career in the military, will they have a job in the future.
"The goal is that when they finish the course they will have the knowledge and hands-on experience with the computer programs they need and are skilled in OWCP policy and procedures, and they can share with the claimant the benefits and entitlements they can get with the OWCP."
The Technician Personnel Division will host five more classes at the National Guard Professional Education Center for FY19; 13-17 May: New Labor Relations Course, 03-07 June: HR Development Course, 24-28 June: Employee Benefits Course, 15-19 July: Employee Relations Course and 29 Jul - 2 August: New HRO & HRO Plus 2 Workshop.
To sign up for a course, first reserve a seat in the class and lodging at the NGPEC Registration webpage then go to the NGB-J1-TN webpage so your training materials can be prepared.
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