Senior Legal Counsel (Health Law)

ABOUT US
The Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) provides legal advice, risk management services, legal assistance and professional liability protection related to nursing practice to over 140,000 eligible Canadian nurses across all Canadian provinces and territories. A non-profit legal support system created by nurses for nurses, the CNPS is specifically tailored to meet the professional liability needs of nurses in all professional nursing roles.

SCOPE OF POSITION
CNPS Legal Counsel is primarily responsible for providing legal advice and legal representation to nurses and nurse practitioners across Canada, as well as the management of litigation and legal services provided by external counsel. CNPS legal counsel is also responsible for delivering risk-management education and analyzing new legislative initiatives, policies, and new care delivery models.

As a senior member of the team, you will initiate and participate in the development of internal policies related to the provision of legal services, contribute to the development of legal resources, liaise with external stakeholders and mentor other legal team members. You possess the knowledge and skills to oversee the legal representation of nursing professionals in more complex litigation and regulatory investigations, communicate sensitive information effectively, recognize new legal trends, address complex problems and ethical issues.

With the CNPS, you will enjoy a dynamic work environment, a collegial atmosphere and a rewarding career that provides opportunities for contributions at the leading edge of developments in the delivery of health care services in Canada.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provision of legal information, advice, and support to nursing professionals in connection with issues arising from their professional practice (complexity commensurate with experience)
• Provision of advice and/or representation to nurses involved in litigation and legal proceedings
• Strategic management of the conduct of litigation and legal proceedings across Canadian jurisdictions
• Documentation of legal services in accordance with applicable standards and employer policies
• Development and presentation of educational modules, workshops, and lectures on professional obligations and legal issues relevant to nursing
• Drafting of articles for publication on various health law topics relevant to nurses and nurse practitioners
• Research and provision of legal opinions relating to various corporate issues
• Review and analysis of legal documents, including proposed policies, legislation, and health-care delivery models
• Participation in various provincial and national consultation processes
• Development of strategies to promote and support safe care delivery practices and a safe practice environment
• Organization and oversight of team legal resources (precedents, templates, legal research) in collaboration with other senior legal counsel
• Drafting and implementation of internal policies relating to the delivery of legal services
• Mentorship of other legal counsel and paralegals

REQUIREMENTS:

• Law degree from a Canadian university
• License to practice law in one of the Canadian reciprocating provinces under the National Mobility Agreement
• Experience working with health-care professionals
• Ability and willingness to relocate to Ottawa 
• Ability to travel

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• A minimum of 10 years of practice in health law litigation
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly developed analytical and organizational skills
• Creative, innovative thinking
• Collaborative approach to the provision of services
• Ability to thrive in an evolving environment

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluency in both official languages, written and oral
• License to practice law from the Barreau du Québec
• Nursing baccalaureate and broad nursing experience
• Registration or eligibility for registration as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner in a Canadian province or territory
• Familiarity with SharePoint

WHY CHOOSE THE CNPS?

• Competitive total compensation package, including salary, comprehensive health & wellness benefits, and defined benefit pension plan
• Rewarding work in a dynamic, hard-working, positive team environment
• Vacation allowance and sick leave
• Peer mentoring and leadership opportunities
• Social committee events

Please submit your cover letter and your resume to hr@cnps.ca. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

The CNPS welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.