Subcontracting (Part 3): 10 Expectations Certified Legal Nurse Consultants Have of Subcontractors

Working as a CLNC^® subcontractor is a great way to consult on medical-related cases without having to market to attorney-clients. You get to focus more on case analysis and less on managing a business. It’s also an opportunity to gain experience and to expand your confidence as a new Certified Legal Nurse Consultant.

I’ve asked the CLNC Pros to share the expectations they have of the subcontractors they consult with. If you’re privileged to subcontract with a successful and seasoned CLNC consultant you will witness firsthand the strategies of a pro, especially when you use these 10 best practices for serving as a CLNC subcontractor:

1. Be assertive and send emails to Certified Legal Nurse Consultants who may have a need for subcontractors. Don’t assume that busy CLNC consultants already have enough subcontractors.
2. Create sample work products based on your nursing experience to use as an example when marketing to other Certified Legal Nurse Consultants. They want to see how you write and your own examples based on what you learned in the CLNC Certification Program.
3. Respond to requests promptly. When a CLNC consultant asks you to send your resume or sample work product, this is your first test. If they don’t hear back from you for two weeks, that’s a bad sign and you’ve bungled a potential opportunity.
4. Get a contract from the CLNC consultant you’re subcontracting with. Keep your business professional, even if they’re a friend.
5. Follow the expected format given to you by the CLNC consultant who hired you and ask questions if you don’t understand. CLNC consultant, Dorene Goldstein, RNC, BSN, CLNC states, “I actually have my subcontractors check in with me after they’ve completed a few pages of a chronology or brief report to make sure they’re on the right track.”
6. Don’t be afraid to clarify issues and ask questions. CLNC consultant, Dorene Goldstein shares, “I would much rather have multiple conversations with my CLNC subcontractors than receive a report that’s not what I’m expecting.”
7. Proof your reports and work product thoroughly before submitting.
8. Complete your work on or before the deadline given.
9. Expect and invite criticism. You’re actually getting paid to learn from a successful Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. If you pay attention you’ll gain insights that you can use in your own CLNC business.
10. Treat the legal nurse consultant job as you would if it was your attorney-client.

While subcontracting can be a stress-free gig you don’t want to limit yourself to being the subcontractor. You want to get out and build your own CLNC business – not just someone else’s. 80% of a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant’s revenue comes from two-five attorneys. With more than 1,800,000 attorneys in the U.S., your opportunities are unlimited. As you subcontract take the time to focus on obtaining five attorney-clients for your own CLNC business.

Thanks to the CLNC Pros: Dale Barnes, Dorene Goldstein, Robert Malaer and Michelle Neal for sharing the expectations they have of subcontractors.

Success Is Yours,

P.S. Comment and share what you expect from your CLNC subcontractors.