Paralegal (Medical-Legal-Community Partnership)
Background:
The Medical-Legal-Community Partnership (MLCP), a program of Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA), seeks to hire a paralegal to become part of a unique legal care team. PLA is a non-profit organization primarily funded by the Legal Services Corporation. In the MLCP, legal staff operate on-site in two West Philadelphia community health centers. They collaborate with the centers’ healthcare teams to address the legal aspects of patients’ medical and social services needs that so often undermine access to effective care. By working in partnership, medical, legal and social service staff can collectively address the host of issues that can impede vulnerable populations’ access to-- and ability to benefit from-- protocols to treat and prevent illness.
MLP teams address such issues as: health insurance access and income supports; housing safety and security; utility shutoff prevention; legal status; family stability and child welfare issues; domestic violence and other health-harming legal issues. We have had success at our two existing partnerships and are currently pursuing additional health centers with which to partner.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will have a variety of responsibilities, serving the needs of health center patients through direct service and capacity building efforts. Although the candidate will have dedicated time to each activity, she or he should be flexible, dynamic, and able to allow both aspects of this position to inform the other.
Paralegal duties include: interviewing and advising patients who become clients via referrals from health center staff; working with healthcare providers to understand the relationship between clients’ legal, medical, and social circumstances; evaluating a client’s situation and making appropriate referrals; negotiating with local and state agencies to help clients access critical benefits; representing clients in administrative proceedings; researching, understanding and utilizing statutes and regulations (including those that fall under the Affordable Care Act); coordinating and managing case referrals; community outreach and education on legal rights.
Capacity building duties include: building partnerships with relevant community organizations, health centers, or other organizations to strengthen the MLCP, developing a nuanced understanding of the needs of our clients and their communities, planning for expansion to additional health centers, collaborating with all members of the MLCP team, and preparing funding progress reports.
SUPERVISOR/CONTACT INFORMATION
Fellow will report to the MLCP Supervising Attorney, Cynthia Haskin
Philadelphia Legal Assistance
718 Arch Street, Suite 300N
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1535
Phone: Health Center #3 MLCP site 215-685-7534
Health Center #4 MLCP site 215-685-7639
Minimum Qualifications:
We seek a college graduate with a demonstrated commitment to community service, a high sense of empathy, and an eagerness to work on a collaborative team. This person is a resourceful problem-solver with excellent written and oral communication skills. Academic background in public health, health policy, legal studies, or social services preferred but not necessary. Attention to detail and ability to follow specific protocols are a must. Spanish language capabilities preferred.
TO APPLY: Send a cover letter and resume to Hiring Committee at work@philalegal.org.