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Digital Edition2024 Theo Award Winner: Albuquerque Public Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), the largest school district in New Mexico, faced a significant challenge with outdated job descriptions that lacked specific physical demands for essential job functions. This ambiguity created uncertainty for both current employees and job candidates, potentially impacting workplace safety and employee wellbeing.
In 2017, APS recognized the need to update its 20+ year-old job descriptions to better reflect the actual physical requirements of each position. The existing descriptions often included vague requirements like “lift 50 lbs” without context, leaving employees and candidates unsure about the true demands of the job.
Tackling the Problem
“Effective and frequent communication and collaboration with employees, as well as with managers and the leadership team were crucial first steps,” said Michael Brown, senior risk management director for Albuquerque Public Schools. “It was vital to bring all the silos together so the stakeholders could work to capture the necessary details of the job and understand the physicality of the work. Gaining buy-in of the departments was key so they understood that having an employee back to work on modified duty is better than an employee being off work.”
Michael Brown, senior director of risk management, Albuquerque Public Schools
To address this issue, APS partnered with Spine Solutions Inc. to implement the Job Function Matching program. This innovative approach compares the physical demands of a job to the physical abilities of the worker to ensure an appropriate match.
The program began by collecting detailed physical demand information for the essential functions of each job title. job function tests were then created to replicate these demands. APS validated the resulting job function descriptions and tests across multiple locations, involving employees, supervisors, managers and directors to ensure accuracy.
To date, APS has completed 396 job function descriptions, tests, and matches, which are now used throughout the district for new hire testing, injury prevention, and integrating physical demands into rehabilitation goals after work injuries.
The job function matching program has transformed how APS approaches workplace safety and employee care. The risk management team now has access to an online portal with up-to-date job function descriptions, allowing for quick reference and collaboration with supervisors and managers across all departments.
This comprehensive approach has fostered a cultural shift, demonstrating APS’s investment in employee safety and wellbeing. Injured workers can now be placed back at work sooner with appropriate modifications, while new hires are placed in positions with confidence that they can safely perform their duties.
Success to Build On
The implementation of the job function matching program has yielded significant positive outcomes for APS. The district has seen a notable decrease in the number of indemnity claims and a steep decrease in average indemnity paid per claim from 2018 to 2023. This gradual decline in indemnity claims demonstrates a shift in culture resulting in fewer claims requiring fewer lost days.
The program has also proven beneficial for new hires. Of those who initially did not pass the Job Function Matching pre-employment test, 91% opted into a Work Conditioning program. All participants in this program successfully met the job requirements after an average of only 3.4 visits.
Organization: Albuquerque Public Schools * Location: Albuquerque, NM * Number of Employees: 11,500 * Category: Education
APS’s commitment to workplace safety and employee care through the Job Function Matching program has created a more supportive and informed work environment. By providing clear, specific information about job demands and offering targeted support for both current and prospective employees, APS has taken significant steps toward ensuring a safer, more efficient workplace for all.
“Spine Solutions is honored to nominate APS for the Theo Award in recognition of its dedication and priority in taking care of its employees, from hiring to retiring,” said Dr. Gina Sandoval, founder of Spine Solutions. “The workers’ compensation program is modern, with a comprehensive approach to encompass solutions for pre-loss and post-loss for overall cost savings while taking care of the employees.” &
The Theo Award celebrates its inaugural year, honoring 31 workers’ compensation programs for their excellence and service to workers across the nation. To learn more about the award and amazing qualities each winner possesses, visit here.
