Become a Legal Nurse Consultant:
Legal Nurse Consulting Training and Careers
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Legal nurse consultants (LNCs) provide medical consulting services to attorneys or businesses regarding medical-related legal cases.
The legal nurse consultant serves as a liaison between legal and health care settings. Many LNCs review medical records for attorneys to help them decide whether medical malpractice occurred in a given case. Disability or workers' compensation cases may require a similar review. A nurse consultant might help attorneys prepare for a deposition, perhaps by familiarizing them with medical or nursing terminology. LNCs also testify as expert witnesses at trial. Since LNCs have firsthand knowledge and are less expensive than doctors, lawyers will often use them as expert witnesses, so they are in high demand. You can use this advantage to increase your salary.
Learn more about legal nurse careers to see if this career path might be for you.
Legal Nurse Consultant: Workplaces
Many legal nurse consultants work as independent contractors, while others are employed by law firms, health care organizations and insurance companies. Like paralegals, legal nurse consultants are not licensed as attorneys and may not give legal advice.
Legal Nurse Consultant: Education & Training
In addition to being an RN and having at least 3 years of nursing experience, you'll need to take a 1-to-2 semester certificate program. Most programs cover legal terminology, civil litigation, torts and medical liability, medical records summary and review, and health care risk management.
Legal Nurse Consultant: Licensing & Certification
While certification is optional, it's highly recommended. LNC certification is evidence that you have mastered a complex body of specialized knowledge and will give you a competitive edge in the job market. Certification also bolsters your credibility with attorneys and helps you build a profitable practice more quickly. The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) offers certification through the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board.
Legal Nurse Consultant: Salary
According to the Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, many LNCs charge $100-$150 per hour.
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