Staff Attorney

Rhode Island Parent Information Network; Warwick (RI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

RIPIN, Inc. in Warwick, RI seeks a Staff Attorney to help clients access healthcare and health insurance, including appeals and hearings. The attorney will also train staff and support policy advocacy efforts.

The ideal candidate holds a JD, RI bar preferred, strong research and communication skills, and can work independently within a diverse team."

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• RI bar membership preferred or be willing to pursue immediately after hire.
• Strong research skills in statutory and regulatory law.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and online research tools.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively with multiple staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to a caseload of clients needing healthcare or health insurance access assistance.
• Represent clients in health insurance appeals and state agency hearings.
• Conduct legal research to support dispute resolution for healthcare access challenges.
• Train and support non-lawyer program staff to handle cases.
• Create written resources for consumers and advocates and update online hubs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Spanish proficiency

Independent work

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Rhode Island bar membership preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Computer/navigation skills

Job description

RIPIN, Inc.Job PostingStaff AttorneyAbout RIPIN: RIPIN deploys a peer model to support people with special healthcare and education needs across the whole lifespan. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents of children with special needs, RIPIN continues to be peer-led: a majority of our board and more than three-fourths of our staff are parents or caretakers of loved ones with special needs. RIPIN’s peer professionals now help more than 45,000 Rhode Islanders every year navigate healthcare, schools, and other support systems.Job Summary: The Staff Attorney will primarily serve clients who reach RIPIN through its health insurance consumer assistance call center. Every year, the consumer assistance program supports about three thousand Rhode Islanders who need help navigating barriers to access health care and/or health insurance. The program supports Rhode Islanders with any type of health insurance – including Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance – as well as the uninsured. RIPIN takes a holistic approach, also addressing problems like food and housing that drive health and education outcomes. Services are available free of charge to all Rhode Islanders. Most program staff are non-attorney Community Health Workers. The Staff Attorney will handle complex cases that benefit from legal attention and, in partnership with the Senior Attorney, will provide support, training, and resources to other program staff and community partners. The Staff Attorney will also support RIPIN’s health policy agenda.Essential Functions:Provide direct services to a caseload of clients who need help accessing healthcare, health insurance or related supports.Represent clients in health insurance appeals and state agency fair hearings. Assist clients with other complex healthcare access problems.Conduct legal research in support of formal and informal dispute resolution on behalf of clients with health care and health insurance access challenges.Provide training, support, and guidance to other program staff (non-lawyers) to assist them with their caseloads.Produce written resource materials to be used by consumers, other advocates, and colleagues for individual case support, systemic advocacy, and special projects.Assist with maintaining and updating an online resource hub for consumers and consumer advocates to understand, obtain, and utilize health insurance.Conduct policy research, writing, and advocacy to advance the interests of healthcare consumers.Represent RIPIN and the interests of consumers in various policy commissions and committees, in meetings with other advocates, and in meetings with State officials.Work effectively and flexibly with a diverse team of colleagues to serve Rhode Islanders.Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Demonstrated commitment to RIPIN’s missionSome knowledge of and/or interest in healthcare and/or health insurance strongly preferredHigh level of interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication skillsAffinity for providing direct services to low income or other vulnerable populationsProficiency in statutory and regulatory legal researchStrong leadership and communication skills allowing for professional interaction with consumers, professionals, RIPIN colleagues, and partnersAbility to effectively work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff and programs.Proficiency in Spanish preferred but not requiredEducation and Experience:Juris Doctor degreeProficiency in statutory and regulatory legal researchRhode Island bar membership strongly preferred (If not currently a member of the RI bar, applicant must be qualified and willing to pursue RI bar membership immediately following hire)Proficiency in computer and internet navigation (online documents, search engine, government websites)Proficient in Microsoft products, including Microsoft Office Suite, as well as computer skills to maintain and update program related materials, reports and databasePhysical Demands:Regularly required to talk or hear.Regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.Regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand and bend.Required to have the ability to lift and/or moves up to 25 pounds.Required to remain at their station for prolonged periods of time.Working Conditions/ Work Environment:Primary work location is a climate-controlled indoor office environment; however, may also be required to conduct visits in community settings that may require climbing up to several flights of stairs.Flexibility for travel related to job requirements.Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.Provide own reliable transportation with proof of valid driver’s license and RI minimum requirements of auto insurance.The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.RIPIN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.