Hello
to all and Happy July 4th!
In
my last blog entry I promised to share with you the details of two of my top priorities
during my term as president.
Revision of
AALNC’s Online LNC Course: We are in the process of revising and expanding
our existing online LNC course. The new modules will be rolled out over the
next three years. We are working on the first seven modules, which will be
rolled out around the time of the forum next year. As we roll out the new
modules, the old modules will be retired. LNCs who purchase the new modules
will have access to a large volume of medical records and other documents from
actual legal cases that have been resolved. We are also working with a master’s
prepared project manager from Smith Bucklin who is assisting us to utilize the
latest computer technology in online learning. We will also be retaining a
professional narrator to read the script for each of the modules.
The
content for the new modules is being written by highly experienced LNCs,
including the co-editors of the new online course - Sharon McQuown, Karen Huff, Julie Dickinson
and me. And of course, Pat Davis, our Director of Educational Programs is very
involved in this project, as are other Board members. We are very excited about
the quality of this future educational offering and look forward to the roll
out of phase one next year!
Revision of
Scope and Standards of Practice/Core Competencies: The BOD has
revised our definition of legal nurse consulting (see below) so that it more
clearly reflects what we do as legal nurses.
We also have a very dynamic task force which is revising our standards
of practice and core competencies with the same goal in mind. In addition, we
will be adding “behavioral expectations” based on our LNC practice analysis
which will set forth the unique tasks and expectations of our speciality
practice.
AALNC’s
Revised Definition of Legal Nurse Consulting
Legal nurse consulting:
·
Is
the application of knowledge acquired during the course of professional nursing
education, training, and clinical experience to the evaluation of standard of
care, causation, damages and
other medically related issues in
cases or claims.
·
Is
the application of additional knowledge acquired through education and
experience regarding applicable legal standards and/or strategy to the
evaluation of cases or claims.
·
Involves
critical analysis of healthcare records and medical literature, as well as
relevant legal documents and other information pertinent to the evaluation and resolution of cases or claims.
·
Results
in the development of case-specific work products and opinions for use by legal
professionals or agencies handling cases or claims.
