Legal Nurse
Spring 2018
Spokane Community College
- 1810 North Greene Street
- Spokane, WA 99217-5399
- https://scc.spokane.edu/
Start
Fall, Winter, SpringDegrees and Certificates
Program Website
View the program websiteTuition and Fees
Additional Costs
Books | $600-1200 |
Supplies and Equipment | $100 |
Program Description
The primary role of the legal nurse consultant is to evaluate, analyze, and render informed opinions on the delivery of health care and the resulting outcomes. The legal nurse consultant practices this nursing specialty in a variety of settings, including law offices, government offices, insurance companies, risk management, or as a self-employed practitioner. The nurse serves as a liaison between the legal and health care communities. This regionally respected ABA approved program is typically awarded upon completion of 62-67 credits of required course work (depending on math requirements).Note: A legal nurse graduate does not receive a license to practice law; thus performing legal work directly for the public or giving legal advice directly to the public constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.
Program Requirements: To enter the Legal Nurse Certificate program, students must have completed an AAS degree in nursing, and possess a current state license and at least two years’ nursing experience with no more than one year since last employed in the field. Substitutions for prerequisites and program courses may be made and/or waived by the program coordinator.
Certificate Requirements: The certificate requires 10 credits of general education courses and 20 credits of basic law courses, plus 8 credits of LA 245, 24 credits of legal specialty courses and 5 credits of other courses if the student does not select from the math options portion of the general education courses. Students with at least one or more years of current legal experience under the direct supervision of an attorney may, with the approval of the program coordinator, have a part of LA 245 waived and instead substitute an equal number of additional legal specialty courses credits.
Students should begin early to meet the prerequisites for LA 120 which are LSEC 239 and a college-level computer course recommended to be selected from the BT, CIS or LSEC departments’ offerings. A grade of 2.0 or higher in each class (including prerequisites) is required for this certificate.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Interview witnesses and parties pertinent to health care issues in collaboration with legal professionals.
- Review, summarize and analyze medical records and other pertinent health care and legal documents.
- Assess issue of damages and causation relative to liability within the legal process.
- Research and integrate health care literature as it relates to the health care facts and issues of a case or a claim.
- Develop collaborative case strategies with those practicing within the legal system.
- Facilitate communication with legal professionals for successful resolution between parties involving health care-related legal issues.
- Assist with discovery, depositions, trial, and other legal proceedings.
- Draft pleadings and other legal documentation in health related cases under supervision of an attorney.
- Identify, locate, evaluate and confer with expert witnesses.
- Develop an understanding of the rules of professional and ethical conduct, competence, professionalism and client service.
Career Opportunities
The consultant may work in areas such as personal injury forensics, product liability, medical and nursing malpractice, workers’ compensation, toxic torts, risk management, professional licensure investigation, insurance case management and criminal law. Pay ranges are from $20 per hour and up depending on responsibilities, experience, and skills.Certificate - SCC
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Disclaimer: The college cannot guarantee courses will be offered in the quarters indicated. During the period this guide is in circulation, there may be curriculum revisions and program changes. Students are responsible for consulting the appropriate academic unit or adviser for more current and specific information. the information in this guide is subject to change and does not constitute an agreement between the college and the student.