FAQ
WHAT IS A LEGAL NURSE CONSULTANT?
A Legal Nurse Consultant is a licensed registered nurse who:
• performs critical analyses of healthcare practices for legal professionals
• has a strong educational and experiential background
• is qualified to assess adherence to standards of healthcare practices
• is a specialist unique in the profession of nursing
• is not a paralegal or legal assistant
WHAT DOES A LEGAL NURSE CONSULTANT DO?
A Legal Nurse Consultant:
• evaluates, analyzes, and renders informed opinions on the delivery and outcomes of health care
• educates attorneys and others concerning healthcare facts and issues
• acts as liaison between the legal and health care communities
• researches and integrates healthcare, medical and nursing literature
• reviews, summarizes and analyzes medical records and other relevant documents
• assesses issues of damages and causation
• identifies, locates and confers with expert witnesses
• interviews witnesses in collaboration with legal professionals
• develops collaborative case strategies within the legal system
• provides support during discovery, depositions and trial
• supports the process of adjudicating legal claims
(Note: Parameters of this specialty nursing practice continue to evolve and may include, but are not limited to the above)
WHAT IS A LEGAL NURSE CONSULTANT’S PRACTICE ENVIRONMENT?
A Legal Nurse Consultant's practice environment includes:
• law firms, government agencies, insurance companies, hospital risk management departments and independent practices
• providing consultation and education to legal, healthcare and other professionals in areas such as personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice, workers' compensation, toxic torts, risk management, medical and nursing licensure investigations and criminal law
WHY DO I NEED A LEGAL NURSE CONSULTANT?
• cost effective
• time-efficient
• knowledgeable
• resourceful
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A LEGAL NURSE CONSULTANT?
• Registered Nurse in good standing with the state board of nursing
• Current RN licensure
• Five years clinical experience
• Medical-legal education through a reputable LNC program
• Computer skills
• Ability to communicate through professionally written documents and verbal reports
HOW DO I JOIN THE SAN DIEGO CHAPTER OF THE AALNC?
• Membership to the National organization of AALNC is required for local chapter membership. For details regarding National membership, please click here.
• After joining the national organization of AALNC, click here to become a member of the San Diego Chapter
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