Melinda DeWitt

I lead and manage staff who are responsible for adjudicating disability claims to determine eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits. I play an active role in reviewing the claims that are processed to ensure the customers are given timely and accurate decisions. I review claims and answer questions from my adjudicative staff to ensure they are following SSA policy. I review requests for consultative exams, adding the exams to an Excel spreadsheet to ensure my staff stay within our allotted monthly budget amount. I collaborate with SSA staff, internal medical and psychological consultants, legal representatives, claimants, and medical providers. I review policy updates and updated procedures. I complete quarterly and annual evaluations on my staff.

I was responsible for training new Disability Claims Adjudicator Trainees on the medical and administrative duties of the position. I created PowerPoints for lectures, created tests to gauge their understanding of the material, graded tests, and taught them how to operative and navigate our computer system (VERSA and eCAT). I was responsible for 1:1 trainings after the trainees had 4 months of classroom training to ensure they had an understanding of how to complete their daily tasks via a To Do List. I provided training for Disability Claims Adjudicator I's promoting to Disability Claims Adjudicator IIs. I was also responsible for training the vocational specialist and new medical consultants. I would facilitate continuing education sessions for staff, including the medical and psychological consultants. I provided safety and security training to new hires.

I processed Title II and Title XVI disability claims under the guidelines of the Social Security Administration. I adjudicated initial claims, reconsiderations, continuing disability reviews, and for a short period of time I adjudicated pre-hearings claims. I reviewed policy and procedures to ensure claims were policy compliant. I requested and reviewed medical records, completed assessments, and reviewed work histories prior to making the medical decision on the claim. I collaborated with medical and psychological consultants in the agency, Social Security Offices, medical sources, claimants, and legal representatives.

I processed Title II and Title XVI disability claims under the guidelines of the Social Security Administration. I adjudicated initial claims. I reviewed policy and procedures to ensure claims were policy compliant. I requested and reviewed medical records, completed assessments, and reviewed work histories prior to making the medical decision on the claim. I collaborated with medical and psychological consultants in the agency, Social Security Offices, medical sources, claimants, and legal representatives.

I learned how to process Title II and Title XVI disability claims under the guidelines of the Social Security Administration. We received training on the medical and administrative requirements of the position. We were then tested on a regular basis to gauge our understanding of the material being taught. Once we finished the classroom portion of the training, I was responsible for adjudicating initial level claims. I reviewed policy and procedures to ensure claims were policy compliant. I requested and reviewed medical records, completed assessments, and reviewed work histories prior to making the medical decision on the claim. I collaborated with medical and psychological consultants in the agency, Social Security Offices, medical sources, claimants, and legal representatives.