About the Position: This position is located at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized. Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Duties

Investigate the legal aspects of adverse patient outcomes, those resulting in personal injury or death of the patient, and medical malpractice claims filed against DoD’s largest medical center, teaching hospital, and Level I trauma center. Provide legal counsel and advice to the Risk Management and Quality Assurance committees. Evaluate claims for potential liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act and potential monetary damages due the claimant. Keep the medical center command group properly informed on the status of medical malpractice claims and litigation involving the medical center. Supervise the initiation and processing of medical care recovery actions on behalf of the United States for the cost of providing medical treatment and care. Provide legal advice to the command and staff on medical-legal issues such as withdrawal of life support, do not resuscitate orders, and informed consent.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• A one-year probationary period is required if the selectee has not previously met this requirement.
• Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position: - Skill in identifying legal issues and conducting relevant legal research within Information Law (e.g., HIPAA, Privacy Act, Cybersecurity, health information exchange, etc.) - Skill in advising on complex programs or as legal counsel within the healthcare field. - Skill in duties that involve advising a program executive office on a broad spectrum of acquisition and information- access issues relating to the deployment of the DoD electronic health record (EHR) system. - Skill in oral and written advocacy. - Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs. NOTICE OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Defense Health Agency considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documents (e.g., DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active duty) to their submissions. Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. (SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at http://www.opm.gov/). TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government must have completed 52 weeks at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled. Time-in grade may be waived for current federal employees at management's discretion. The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD). Bar Membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory or commonwealth of the United States (e.g., American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), or the District of Columbia. Document should be dated within three (3) months of the date the application is submitted. Experience Required for the GS-14: Applicant must have three (3) or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the Bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address JT-DHA-DD83DB DHA SAN ANTONIO MKT-BROOKE AMC DO NOT MAIL Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk