Item 3.K-June 14, 2013
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to
marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Thomas Ray
Position #(s): 17410
Current Title: General Counsel, University of Nevada School of Current Range: 7
Medicine (UNSOM)
(JCC:86921;3H)
Department: Deans Office – Reno
College/Division: University of Nevada
School of Medicine/VP Health Sciences
Account #(s): 1201-119-5026
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( X) Title Change, Proposed Title: Senior Associate Dean for Legal Affairs, UNSOM
() Proposed Reassignment from
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range)
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Range:
JCC (Current
or new HR
assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature Thomas Schwenk, VP, Health Sciences/Dean UNSOM
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean Thomas Schwenk, VP, Health Sciences/Dean, UNSOM
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Stacy Burton
Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs
__________________
Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67409 Range:
7
Pos #(s): 17410
JCC:
EEO: 1C
Eff: 6/1/2013
Approved Title: Senior Associate Dean for Legal Affairs, UNSOM
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Date
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Rev: 10/1/2012
PDQ - Senior Associate Dean for Legal Affairs, UNSOM
Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the
division which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department.
(This section is used for advertisement of the position.)
The Senior Associate Dean for Legal Affairs for the University of Nevada School of Medicine
(UNSOM) reports primarily to the Dean, UNSOM with an additional reporting line to the General
Counsel of the University of Nevada, Reno (University). The incumbent provides advice and
counsel to senior academic and administrative officers of the UNSOM and the Clinical Practice
Corporations concerning their legal rights and obligations. The position is part of the senior
leadership team of the Dean’s Office, including membership on the Dean’s Cabinet. The position
meets regularly with the General Counsel to insure consistent application of Nevada System of
Higher Education (NSHE) and University policies and procedures and to inform the General
Counsel of all litigation and of any significant legal matters that arise. Scope of the role includes
litigation, administrative and regulatory matters in the courts of both the State of Nevada and the
United States and in all federal and state administrative agencies. The Senior Associate Dean
conducts legal research and advises UNSOM leadership on matters pertaining to compliance with
state and federal laws affecting the School with particular emphasis on litigation, contracts,
business and health care law, tort law, employment law, dispute resolution, student rights, and
public/private partnerships. Concurrent private practice is prohibited.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job
(percentage first with heading and then bulleted information).
30% - Advise and Counsel
 Issue timely advice and counsel; apply changing laws and regulations to changing facts
 Provide legal research services and counsel to the administration of the UNSOM and its
affiliated organizations and clinical practices which includes litigation, contracts, business
and tort law, public (NSHE Code for faculty; NAC for classified staff) and private (practice
plan employees) employment law, dispute resolution, student rights, and public/private
partnerships
 Contribute to the leadership of the UNSOM through membership on the Dean’s Cabinet
and other major leadership groups, with advice deriving from his/her legal expertise as well
as broader views of the vision and mission of the UNSOM
25% - Research and Compliance
 Perform legal research and provide advice to UNSOM members on matters pertaining to
compliance with state and federal laws that affect the UNSOM (emphasis on health
care/litigation/contracts/employment law/dispute resolution/student rights/public-private
partnerships)
 Produce timely written legal documents; such documents are subject to scrutiny by judges,
the opposition, the public and the press
25% - Litigation
 Commence or defend litigation on behalf of the UNSOM, its administration, faculty and
staff when appropriate as well as the practice corporations, administration and staff when
appropriate; includes litigation regarding employment, contracts, administrative and
regulatory matters in the courts of the State of Nevada and the United States and in all
federal and state administrative agencies
 Coordinate medical malpractice litigation with outside counsel
PDQ - Senior Associate Dean for Legal Affairs, UNSOM
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20% - Legal Documents
 Review legal documents including but not limited to contracts, memorandums of
understanding related to the practice of medicine and the conduct of medical education
 Supervise Director of Contracts and provides advice and guidance on complex contracts
and those with significant legal consequence
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division
and/or the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
The position has a high level of independence to conduct litigation and handle administrative
matters. The incumbent is expected to provide leadership and objectivity in the performance of the
responsibilities of the position in order to insure the success and credibility of UNSOM’s legal
counsel and the reputation of UNSOM, University of Nevada, Reno and Nevada System of Higher
Education (NSHE). Decisions are made in consultation with the Dean for litigation and significant
legal matters.
Impact:
The decisions and judgments, if followed, can have a significant financial impact and enhance or
adversely affect the UNSOM and the clinical practice groups’ ability to provide patient care,
medical education and training. This may, also, affect the public perception of the institution and
the system. Erroneous advice, if followed, may have an adverse financial or public relations
impact on the institution or the system. Flawed advice may, also, impact the UNSOM and the
practice groups’ ability to practice medicine and limit their capacity to provide medical education
and training.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 State and federal laws, with particular emphasis on physician-patient relationships and
regulations related to the practice of medicine, including contributions to risk management
programs and reduced liability exposure.
 Board of Regents policies and procedures
 Bylaws, policies, procedures, and organization of the School of Medicine and the above
referenced clients
 Litigation, federal and state law
Skills:






Effective verbal and written communication
Litigation, legal analysis and research
Problem solving skills and inherent decision-making ability
Must possess personal and professional integrity, excellent relationship-building skills and
political acumen
Supervisory/management skills
Strong background in health care law, with a preference for some medical malpractice
experience
PDQ - Senior Associate Dean for Legal Affairs, UNSOM
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Ability to:
 Look at all aspects of a problem both practical and legal and arrive at an effective solution
 Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse clientele regarding complex legal issues.
 Interact with a wide range of individuals
 Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
 Travel as needed
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
Associate Deans for Clinical
Affairs
Associate Dean for Student
Affairs
UNSOM Faculty/Physicians
UNSOM Administrative Staff
Medical residents and
students
GME Program Directors
Other employees of the
UNSOM and Integrated
Clinical Services
General Counsel of University
of Nevada, Reno
External
System Administration Legal
Staff and
Contracting parties and
partners
Opposing Counsel
Court Staff and Judges
Reason for Contact
To provide advice and counsel, problem resolution
To resolve student performance and behavior and personnel
issues
To provide problem resolution, frequent advice and counsel.
To provide advice and counsel, problem resolution (contract
preparation and personnel issues)
To conduct of litigation (witnesses and litigation), problem
resolution.
To provide resolution of residency performance and behavior and
personnel issues
To conduct of litigation (witnesses and litigation), problem
resolution
To ensure consistent application of NSHE and University policies
and procedures
Reason for Contact
To coordinate legal services
To discuss issues
To conduct of litigation, problem solving
To conduct of litigation
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather
than the qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Juris Doctor Degree from a regionally accredited institution
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above
required education necessary for a person entering this position.
Juris Doctor Degree and ten years of experience in the practice of law
PDQ - Senior Associate Dean for Legal Affairs, UNSOM
Page 5
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada and admitted to practice in
federal courts