Should I Consider Becoming a Compensation Clerk?

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Becoming a compensation clerk is a good career move. It is a growing profession and new government regulations will make it a more necessary position as time goes on. A compensation clerk is one of the few prospective management positions that may only require a high school diploma these days, though a lack of a college degree might require additional office experience. According to Salary.com, the media average for this profession is $37,992.

What Does a Compensation Clerk Do?

The most obvious answer would be to act as a clearinghouse for workman’s compensation claims, as well as handle benefits, track usage of benefits, and document the progression of retirement benefits. It is a position that has a set series of duties that is often repetitious, but essential to employees that need the benefits. A compensation clerk can be the most appreciated part of the administration if you need family leave information. The clerk and management also review pay rates to make sure they meet all federal guidelines.

What Does a Normal Day Look Like for a Compensation Clerk?

The clerk will provide telephone support for incoming calls, including taking loss notices that are called in. As a rule, you will often open, sort, scan and complete initial indexing information on incoming mail. As a documentary processor, you will complete the initial entry of loss notices in the claims system and distribute the claim to the appropriate supervisor. One of the more interesting duties you may perform is to research on losses that have entry-level coverage issues. A clerk is expected to provide claim file storage by placing records in services-boxing, shipping, and maintaining records. As with any office position, you will be expected to operate a variety of office devices, including computers, printers, copy machines, facsimile receivers and mailing equipment.

What Are the Requirements for the Position?

The minimum requirement is a High School Diploma, or in some cases an associate’s degree. After that, you will need six months of experience in a workers’ compensation insurance claims department or related experience. Naturally, you must have the ability to take direction and make decisions. Above all, a clerk needs to be self organized and detail oriented since most of the work is explicitly focused on details.

The applicant should have a professional telephone demeanor and good oral communication skills. It may not appear that way, but the ability to work well under pressure and multi-task in a fast-paced environment is a desirable trait. As with any position these days, a basic understanding of business technology is preferable.

In the final analysis, if you think that you would like the position of compensation clerk, try to look into various laws relating to compensation, so you can exhibit understand the basic concepts related to this position. Most of the positions do offer on the job training, but the less you need to learn, the better you will appear in the job interview. Prepare for an interesting and rewarding career!