Requisition No: 802118
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: REGULATORY SPECIALIST II (Legal Assistant) - 64003609
Position Number: 64003609
Salary: $31,200.00 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 05/16/2023
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
PROSECUTION SERVICES UNIT
LEGAL ASSISTANT
Open Competitive Opportunity
Anticipated Vacancy
This advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
The Prosecution Services Unit (PSU) is responsible for providing legal services in the regulation of all health care boards and councils. PSU takes administrative action against healthcare practitioners for violations of the licensee’s practice act.
Your Specific Responsibilities:
The incumbent in this position works with 2 or more Lawyers to prepare health care disciplinary cases for presentation to the probable cause panels, for formal litigation and for final disposition before the Boards. This position performs duties at a higher level based on the complexity of legal responsibilities within the unit, requiring greater knowledge of the process.
The incumbent reviews and researches the more complex investigative files, medical records, transcripts and expert opinions regarding alleged violations of statutes and rules; drafts Administrative Complaints or Closing Orders in pre-probable cause complaints; performs legal research as necessary; drafts legal memoranda; drafts discovery requests, responds to interrogatories and/or pleadings; drafts Settlement Agreements.
Corresponds telephonically and in writing with the Respondent, Respondent's counsel, witnesses, complainants and/or expert witnesses for review of case, for clarification or further information on the facts occurring in the case or to set up depositions or hearings; assists the attorney in preparation for depositions or hearings. Provides vital professional regulation skills by preparing, producing, coordinating, managing and maintaining highly complex litigation case materials; sets up litigation pleading files; produces motions, pleadings, general correspondence and memoranda on cases assigned to respective attorneys; prepares cases for presentation or reconsideration before the Probable Cause Panels or for presentation for the Boards for final agency action.
Accurately and timely updates LEIDS and Axiom as action occurs in the responsible attorney’s assigned cases. Performs a periodic physical inventory of all cases assigned to the incumbent’s attorneys, making necessary changes and updates to the computer case management system; provides a current caseload report after each inventory.
Schedules court reporters, witnesses and locations for all depositions and formal hearings for assigned attorneys. Schedules and coordinates witness conferences, lectures and pre-trial meetings for assigned attorneys. Produces calendars of current cases, which include important dates and information for each case, and follows up with attorneys to assure deadlines are met.
Directs or responds to telephone inquiries received within the unit from either the general public, complainants, Subjects and/or Subjects' counsel concerning disciplinary cases.
Timely prepares closed cases according to File Maintenance Protocol, ensuring there is a signed, filed (if applicable) closing document in the file, closing the case or ensuring the case has been closed in LEIDS, and transferring to the appropriate Records Management Liaison within the unit.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position: Knowledge of the techniques for handling complaints and dealing with the public. Ability to compile, organize and analyze data and create reports. Ability to work independently; ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to understand and apply Florida Statutes, rules, policies and procedures for licensing and regulation of professionals and facilities, and consumer protection. Ability to determine work priorities, multitask and ensure proper completion of work assignments in a timely manner. Ability to learn to use a case tracking system. Ability to communicate effectively, establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Where You Will Work:
2585 Merchants Row
Tallahassee, FL 32399
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All applications for employment must be received via the People First System.
When completing the online application, all gaps of employment or education greater than 90 days starting from high school must be explained (approximate date, month and year) identifying company name or if unemployed.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
It is unacceptable to use the statement "See resume" in place of work history.
Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:
Mission:
To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
Vision:
To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.
Values:
I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
- Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
- Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
- State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
- Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
- Tuition waivers;
- And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Please be advised:
Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.
This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.
Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.
Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.
Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.