Associate Litigation Counsel - Wheeling

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This position is responsible for assisting the Assistant Vice President & Senior Litigation Counsel in managing litigation matters involving West Virginia United Health System, Inc. and its related entities. This responsibility includes daily interaction with the employees of WVUHS and related entities, outside retained counsel and opposing counsel. The position reports to the AVP/Sr. Litigation Counsel and interacts with all areas of WVUHS and related entities as well as external representatives of the legal system.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree

2. West Virginia Bar membership or eligibility to obtain WV bar membership within 90 days of employment

EXPERIENCE:

1. Five (5) years prior experience in medical malpractice litigation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree

2. West Virginia Bar membership or eligibility to obtain WV bar membership within 90 days of employment

EXPERIENCE:

1. Five (5) years prior experience in medical malpractice litigation

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Provides day-to-day legal representation of WVUHS and related entities in open unasserted claims, open asserted claims and open suits.

2. Manages a full case docket representing WVUHS and related entities in litigation related matters to include medical negligence, employment, and general liability cases.

3. Makes defensibility determinations for each case, prepares cases for pre-suit resolution, mediation, trial, and tries cases.

4. Handles post-trial motions and appeals.

5. Responsible for all aspects of litigation management and trial preparation

6. Analyzes complex medical issues requiring the assimilation and understanding of medical textbooks, articles and journals.

7. Creates and executes discovery plans and trial strategies.

8. Prepares comprehensive exposure determinations and damage assessments.

9. Makes recommendations regarding expense and indemnity reserves, settlement and or trial.

10. Responds in a timely manner to request for advice or information.

11. Supervises and manages outside litigation counsel retained by AVP/Sr. Litigation Counsel.

12. Works with risk managers to take measures to minimize hospital liability through the prevention of risks and through the investigation and correction of identified problems.

13. Supervise litigation paralegals to include daily supervision, performance appraisal, and issuance of disciplinary actions.

14. Supervise nurse paralegals to include daily supervision, performance appraisal, and issuance of disciplinary actions.

15. Supervise assistant litigation counsel to include daily supervision, performance appraisal, and issuance of disciplinary actions.

16. Under the direction of the AVP/Sr. Litigation Counsel, manages and/or provides oversight and input into Legal Services budgeting.

17. Demonstrates regard for the dignity, respect and safety of all patients, family members, visitors and hospital personnel as defined in the philosophy of the organization.

18. Displays a caring and courteous attitude and represents WVUH in a positive manner to all persons noted above, 100% of the time.

17. Maintains the confidentiality of patient and unit information, 100% of the time without infraction.

18. Promotes and contributes positively to intradepartmental and interdepartmental relationships.

19. Maintains proper attendance and punctuality to ensure that the Legal Services department is operated in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

20. Participates in meeting the goals and objectives of the work unit and department to ensure that the department contributes to the attainment of the hospital’s goals and objectives.

21. Promotes and contributes positively to the teamwork of the department by volunteering to assist coworkers, contributing ideas and problem solving with coworkers.

22. Participates in planning and implementing change and maintaining and improving productivity through attendance and participation in staff meetings, task forces, projects and discussions with supervisor

23. Other duties as assigned by General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer or AVP/Sr. Litigation Counsel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Ability to concentrate and sit at a desk for long periods of time

2. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment including live hearings

3. Visual requirements: Near Vision, Depth Perception, Extensive Exposure to Video Displays

4. Ability to hear normal conversation, telephone communications

5. Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling up to 25 lbs.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. General office environment

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of state and federal civil legal system and methods of alternative dispute resolution.

2. Ability to communicate and interact with the medical staff, nursing staff, administration, department heads, and other hospital personnel preferred.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Exempt)

Company:

SYSTEM West Virginia University Health System

Cost Center:

509 SYSTEM Legal Services

Address:

40 Medical Park

Wheeling

West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

 

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.