Industrial Psychologist

Donna S. Hudson, Ph.D.

Tuscaloosa, AL • 770-***-**** • *************@*****.***

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Experienced Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist with expertise in job analyses, ergonomics, return to work (RTW) coordination, workplace and academic accommodations, and medical and vocational case management. Human Resources experience to include onboarding, employer benefits, disability and leave of absence, interviewing, hiring, employee relations, testing and assessment, and recruitment. Postsecondary teaching experience to include online Graduate Teaching Assistant to doctoral and master’s degree students in psychology, Student Proctor for the Psychology of Learning course, and Tutor with the Auburn University Athletic Department. Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, Google docs, SPSS, video/auditory conferencing systems, Blackboard, EMR, Salesforce, Oracle, O*Net, and internet research.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Capella University, Minneapolis, MN

Master of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling

Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Auburn University, Auburn, AL

EXPERIENCE

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Tuscaloosa, AL 2022 to 2024

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Provide vocational rehabilitation services to disabled consumers for employment assistance and postsecondary education sponsorship.

Complete application for VR services, establish medical eligibility, and prepare individualized employment and/or postsecondary training plans within assigned annual goals to aid consumers with employment.

Review, coordinate, and authorize approximately $100,000 annually in consumer services with community rehabilitation providers.

Maintain production goals of 100% for all timely applications, eligibilities, and individualized employment/training plans for year.

Consistently achieve successful employment and case closure goals of at least 125% production annually.

Maintain caseload of approximately 350 consumers to ensure that appropriately designated VR services are referred, coordinated, and implemented.

Act as College Liaison for all VR college sponsorships statewide for the University of Alabama.

GENEX Services, Atlanta, GA 2000 - 2021

Sr. Vocational Case Manager/Return To Work Specialist Team Lead

Managed medical and vocational files for workers’ compensation and long- and short-term disability claimants to assist with medical resolution and RTW services.

Worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team to maintain lost time days at less than 60 days annually for an organization with more than 8000 employees.

Performed monthly quality assurance audits of Vocational Case Managers/RTW Specialists with large government defense contractor to ensure adherence to reporting guidelines.

Provided training and development of all newly hired GENEX employees on job analyses, ergonomics, and RTW services.

Prepared on-site job analyses and ergonomic evaluations at government defense contractor facilities located throughout North America and maintained job analysis database to ensure accuracy of job descriptions.

Achieved a 99% successful RTW rate for injured employees.

Managed medical and vocational case management files to assist injured workers with RTW and aid in claims’ resolution.

Supervised approximately 25 employees in transitional duty work program to include onboarding, job assignment, training, and employee performance review.

Provided employee relations, coaching, and mentoring of team members to increase job performance, employee morale, and decrease turnover.

Interviewed all parties to the claim to obtain pertinent information for successful early intervention and counseled injured workers throughout the claim process on their medical and RTW status.

Educated and trained medical personnel within the organization on ergonomic principles, vocational assessments, and job analyses.

*Timeframe for employment is grandfathered to include total employment time with GENEX Services and employment from GENEX Services’ requisition of Intracorp as a Disability Case Manager.

Broadspire Services, Inc., Atlanta, GA 2015 – 2017

Vocational Case Manager II 2012 - 2014

Provided medical and vocational field case management for workers’ compensation claimants to assist with RTW services, job analyses, ergonomics, and aid with the resolution of medical claims.

Achieved a 95% successful RTW rate for injured employees from various organizations.

Performed on-site ergonomic evaluations and job analyses for any size account and generated detailed ergonomic reports with recommendations for improvement of work site conditions and equipment and reasonable accommodations for corrective action.

Monitored claim information to ensure appropriate cost containment and return on investment.

Managed medical case management files to aid with claim resolution and RTW services.

Provided medical case management triage for burn patients assigned to the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, GA to ensure that they received timely and appropriate medical care post injury until discharge.

Interviewed claimants, physicians, attorneys, and employers to obtain pertinent information to move claim toward resolution.

Submitted regular duty, modified duty, and/or transitional work job analyses to workers’ compensation physicians for medical and RTW clearance.

Delta Airlines, Atlanta, GA 2014 - 2015

Equal Opportunity Accommodation Specialist

Analyzed job accommodation assessments and job placement services for the Delta Air Lines’ Job Accommodation Program.

Assisted in the development, implementation, and communication of policies and procedures of the job accommodation process with employees, organizational leaders, and human resources personnel.

Communicated with employees, organizational leaders, human resource professionals, and medical personnel to coordinate, facilitate, and lead interactive discussions regarding job accommodations.

Requested and reviewed medical documentation to obtain accurate and timely information, and prepared medical clarification documentation as warranted to assist with job accommodation assessments.

Worked with management, EEOC, legal, and any other represented parties to determine if reasonable accommodations could be met, and brainstormed viable solutions if initial accommodation request was denied.

Capella University, Minneapolis, MN 2011 - 2012

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Provided graduate teaching assistant duties in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University for PSY 5002 and PSY 8002 courses, for master’s and doctoral degree students.

Chosen as one of 15 doctoral candidates from a pool of more than 1500 applicants for the Capella University Teaching Assistant Pilot Program in 2011.

Developed and delivered curriculum content to graduate students relating to course expectations, course materials, and learning strategies.

Offered instructional guidance and individual coaching to students to promote exceptional learning and experience.

Prepared and presented resources to other graduate teaching assistants to enhance their teaching repertoire.

Peachtree Academy, Conyers, GA 2005 – 2006

Director of Human Resources and Marketing

Performed all human resources, training and development, onboarding, marketing, and employee relations’ functions to increase revenue, employee satisfaction, and new student enrollments.

Recruited, screened, and interviewed all potential and new employees, implemented background and reference checks, performed onboarding, tendered offers of employment, conducted employee performance appraisals, and recommended salary increases and/or corrective actions.

Coordinated employee training and development, continuing education, and health certifications.

Reviewed payroll to confirm personnel hours and approval of any overtime pay.

Organized marketing events with the BBB, Rockdale and Newton County Chamber of Commerce organizations, prospective customers, and local businesses.

Evaluated existing medical insurance, interviewed prospective insurance carriers at annual enrollment, assisted enrolled employees with issues relating to coverage, and registered eligible employees during open enrollment.

Supervised more than 25 staff members.

PUBLICATIONS

Discenza, D. C. (2018). The relationship between an employee’s personality characteristics and being targeted by a workplace bully. Capella University.

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist

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