As an LNC, you may find yourself called to observe an independent medical examination. This may be ordered by either the plaintiff or the defense. Stormy Green, an LNC, describes her experiences as an observer and provides some essential recommendations for anyone who has assumed or would like to assume that role.

The observer needs much preparation for her work. She may have to look up various medical conditions for which the physician will be testing. Stormy recommends consulting the internet and watching YouTube videos of procedures. This helps to determine whether the doctor has used them correctly.

As an LNC, you may find yourself called to observe an independent medical examination. This may be ordered by either the plaintiff or the defense. Stormy Green, an LNC, describes her experiences as an observer and provides some essential recommendations for anyone who has assumed or would like to assume that role.

The observer needs much preparation for her work. She may have to look up various medical conditions for which the physician will be testing. Stormy recommends consulting the internet and watching YouTube videos of procedures. This helps to determine whether the doctor has used them correctly.

After a long, pandemic-induced lull, attorney conferences have made a comeback. These events provide LNCs with a unique opportunity to meet prospective clients face to face. Angel Hickerson and your host, Pat Iyer, share advice on how to get the most out of these conferences.

Perhaps the most important recommendation is to be professional in every way. Dress appropriately, stay off your cell phone, don’t deluge your prospect with too much information about your practice, and make sure the appearance of your booth reflects your business colors.

Don’t leave your booth unattended; have a companion who can answer questions when you take a needed break.

Be patient. If you are at a three-day conference, recognize that the attorneys have a lot to accomplish. If they get to you before you leave, you’ve succeeded.

That same level of patience plus persistence is necessary in the follow-up process. Angel never gives up, and often, three or six months later, the attorney remembers her and gives her a call.

This conversation between two veteran conference attendees will give you the information you need to return to one of the most fruitful areas for LNCs looking for new clients.

One of the murkiest and often most tragic areas of medical care is the authorization of payment. The U.S. has a complex and too often confusing system, which, combined with very expensive medical and surgical care, can leave families financially devastated.

Here to explain the details is Wendy Rice, a legal nurse consultant, and case manager. She specializes in appeals and has a deep understanding about how the payment process works—and often fails to work.

Because payments are often based on a certain number of days in the hospital, this is an incentive for prompt and sometimes too-early discharge. This can lead to readmission within 30 days, which creates new financial issues.

As a legal nurse consultant, you are sure to come across malpractice suits involving heart disease. This podcast features Erin Getz, a nurse practitioner, an expert on this subject. She unravels some of the complex issues involved in various heart conditions.

Of primary concern is management of medications. This can be very challenging to older patients, many of whom may already be juggling a number of medications. Thorough education is needed to help the individual and re-test and follow-up. If the kind of education and follow-up care isn’t documented, this can be an area of legal dispute.

In 2019, thirty percent of the money spent on healthcare in the U.S. was wasted through inappropriate care levels, unnecessary procedures, abuse, fraud, and other deviations from established standards of care.

Mary Ann Seibold, who worked four years reviewing care given to Medicare Advantage patients explains the vital watchdog nature that utilization management plays in attempting to keep down the cost of wasteful medical activity.

As a nurse, she served on the front line of this reviewing process, and she asserts that nurses’ healthcare knowledge, familiarity with accepted standards of care, and evidence-based criteria processes are crucial in evaluating healthcare practices and procedures.

Jane Shufro never planned to become an LNC, but when she got an unexpected phone call asking her to review a case, she recognized the opportunity and has never regretted taking it.

During the 11 years since she first entered this field, she has learned a lot, and this podcast provides information that can help the new LNC develop their skills and give the seasoned practitioners the opportunity to review their work.

In terms of practical, foundational abilities, Jane emphasizes good grammar and writing skills, familiarity with computers, and the ability to network.

Some of what she’s learned, though, is more subtle. In terms of gaining and keeping attorney clients, you need excellent listening skills. Attorneys lead stressful lives, and if you’re there to listen to them vent (obviously within reason), they will value you and return with more cases.

Jane also emphasizes the importance of meeting deadlines. Miss a deadline and lose a client.

She also was careful to debunk some of the myths about the LNC profession. You can’t just walk into it, and you won’t get rich quickly. Those new to the field will especially benefit from her wisdom on these subjects.

If you’re looking for a clear-eyed, practical viewpoint from an LNC who loves her work, you will enjoy and learn from this podcast.

• What are the immediate essentials skills you need to get started?

• What are the learning curves an LNC encounters in enhancing overall skills?

• What kinds of skills do you need to make lawyer clients happy?

• How does aligning your area of expertise get you the right clients?

• What are some of the misconceptions debunked about becoming a legal nurse consultant?

As a professional, you want to constantly evaluate new developments in your field. One thing LNCs may overlook is that this field can expand and shift during extraordinary times, such as the current pandemic.

Molly McGrath, who helps attorneys with their staffing issues, pays great attention to these shifts. She suggests that estate planning and elder are two rapidly growing areas where LNCs, both because of their training in compassion and attention to detail, can find lucrative employment.

Some of these openings have occurred because the pandemic has made people aware that they need to plan for the future and for their heirs. Molly, however, points out that as early as 2008, many paralegals, seeing how much demand existed for their services, decided to exercise their power and work as independent contractors. Their scarcity also led to more openings for LNCs to work with lawyers.

She also states that the traditional role of the paralegal as gatekeeper has virtually disappeared. Both paralegals and lawyers are swamped with work. They want to hear from LNCs.

Molly also provides a detailed template for getting attorneys’ attention through LinkedIn.

If you are looking for a way to increase or to change the focus of your LNC practice, you will find a treasure trove of advice and information in this podcast.

• What role can a staffing specialist play in an attorney’s office?

• Why is legal estate planning an ideal field for LNCs?

• Why is it a good time for LNCs to consider this area of law?

• How, in a legal environment where paralegals less frequently serve as gatekeepers for attorneys, can LNCs connect with prospective clients?

• Why does saying, “I’m not trying to sell you anything” have a boomerang effect?

Whether you’re an experienced LNC, a new practitioner, or someone who’s considering this field, Joe Flores will give you invaluable advice about working as an expert witness. An attorney and nurse practitioner, he has a unique perspective on how to succeed as an expert witness.

He begins by assuring the hesitant that one can practice as an expert witness in a consultant role without having to go to trial. He also reminds the audience that over 90% of cases don’t go to trial.

Medical errors during labor and delivery are a leading cause of litigation. Within this area, shoulder dystocia cases are prominent. If you don’t have extensive experience as a labor and delivery nurse, you may not be familiar with the details of shoulder dystocia? Here to explain the complexities that can result in this condition is Karen Harmon, an LNC with 28 years of experience in labor and delivery.

She describes some of the health conditions that can lead to this, including diabetes, morbid obesity, shoulder dystocia in a previous delivery. She also notes warning signs that may show up during the course of prenatal care.