Paralegal -- General Counsel -- Healthcare Financial Services Building

Job Summary

Performs delegated substantive legal work under the ultimate direction and supervision of an attorney in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) except such work shall not include accepting a case, rendering legal advice, making a court appearance unless a lay representative is specifically allowed by law, or the unauthorized practice of law.

Responsibilities

Manage and maintain litigation, contract and other OGC files as assigned by a supervising OGC attorney.

• Draft contracts, pleadings, discovery requests and responses, correspondence and other documents under the supervision of an OGC attorney.

• Communicate on behalf of a supervising OGC attorney with court personnel, outside and opposing attorneys' offices, with opposing parties who are not represented by counsel, witnesses, and representatives of corporate clients. This function includes but is not limited to serving as the primary liaison between the OGC and ancillary client representatives regarding maintaining and retaining records pertinent to client matters. This function also includes appearing as a corporate representative, when considered appropriate by a supervising OGC attorney (for example, in mediations). This function includes authoring and signing correspondence provided the paralegal status is clearly indicated and the correspondence does not contain independent legal opinions or legal advice.

• Perform bookkeeping functions related to client matters including but not limited to preliminary evaluation of appropriateness of invoiced expenses and arranging timely payment of invoices approved by the supervising OGC attorney. The position may include check writing authority within defined limits but shall not include authority to sign checks on behalf of a client corporation. • Maintain and keep current the OGC's policies and procedures documents within the paralegal's sphere of work. For example, a paralegal working in professional liability claims and litigation is responsible for the OGC Claims and Litigation Management Guidelines and for other documents as assigned by the supervising attorney.

• Perform medical, legal and other research under the supervision of an OGC attorney. Draft preliminary analyses or written opinions under the supervision of an OGC attorney.

• Acquire, review, organize and index corporate, medical and other records relevant to pending and anticipated litigation and other client matters. Perform a preliminary evaluation of how those records impact client rights and liabilities.

• Locate and interview witnesses, prepare chronologies, and prepare abstracts of witness interviews and deposition transcripts. • Assist in preparation of witnesses for depositions and trial. Coordinates scheduling of clients' employees for interviews, depositions and trials.

• Prepare and process accurate and timely reports of liability claims to insurance carriers, corporate client representatives and others as assigned by a supervising OGC attorney. • Organizes educational seminars and on-site reviews performed by excess insurance carriers.

• Assists patients and others referred to the OGC.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Patient Group Knowledge (Only applies to positions with direct patient contact)

The employee must possess/obtain (by the end of the orientation period) and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide developmentally appropriate assessment, treatment or care as defined by the department’s identified patient ages. Specifically the employee must be able to demonstrate competency in: 1) ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of patient needs; 2) knowledge of growth and development; and 3) understanding of the range of treatment needed by the patients.

Competency Statement

Must demonstrate competency through an initial orientation and ongoing competency validation to independently perform tasks and additional duties as specified in the job description and the unit/department specific competency checklist.

Common Duties and Responsibilities
(Essential duties common to all positions)

1. Maintain and document all applicable required education.
2. Demonstrate positive customer service and co-worker relations.
3. Comply with the company's attendance policy.
4. Participate in the continuous, quality improvement activities of the department and institution.
5. Perform work in a cost effective manner.
6. Perform work in accordance with all departmental pay practices and scheduling policies, including but not limited to, overtime, various shift work, and on-call situations.
7. Perform work in alignment with the overall mission and strategic plan of the organization.
8. Follow organizational and departmental policies and procedures, as applicable.
9. Perform related duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree (Required) 10+ experience in hospital/health care law

Credentials

• No Certification, Competency or License Required

Work Schedule: Days

Status: Full Time Regular 1.0

Location: Healthcare Financial Services Building

Location of Job: US:WV:Charleston

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Guy S. Stewart guy.stewart@vandaliahealth.org