General Counsel

Description:

As the General Counsel of our safety net hospital, you will be responsible for providing legal guidance and leadership to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, mitigate legal risks and support the organization's mission of providing quality care to underserved populations. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will oversee all legal matters, including contracts, regulatory compliance, litigation management, and corporate governance. Your strategic counsel will be crucial in navigating complex legal issues while upholding the hospital's commitment to patient care, equity and social justice.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Legal Compliance: Ensure the hospital's adherence to federal, state, and local healthcare laws, regulations, and accreditation standards, including guardianship issues, HIPAA, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, and Medicaid/Medicare regulations.
2. Contract Management: Review, negotiate, and draft various agreements, including vendor contracts, lease agreements, physician agreements, affiliations, and partnerships, ensuring favorable terms and compliance with legal requirements.
3. Risk Management: Identify potential legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, including implementing policies and procedures to address compliance issues, privacy breaches, and malpractice claims.
4. Litigation Oversight: Manage external counsel and internal legal resources to handle litigation matters effectively, including medical malpractice suits, labor disputes, and regulatory investigations.
5. Corporate Governance: Advise the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and management on corporate governance matters, including bylaws, conflicts of interest, and board policies.
6. Regulatory Affairs: Monitor changes in healthcare laws and regulations, assess their impact on hospital operations, and recommend appropriate actions to maintain compliance.
7. Ethics and Compliance: Develop and oversee the hospital's ethics and compliance program, including conducting training sessions, investigations, and audits to promote a culture of integrity and accountability.
8. Community Engagement: Collaborate with community organizations, advocacy groups, and government agencies to address healthcare disparities and promote health equity initiatives.

Qualifications:

1. Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, member in good standing.
2. Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in healthcare law, with significant exposure to regulatory compliance, litigation management, and corporate governance within a healthcare setting.
3. Strong understanding of healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, EMTALA, and CMS regulations.
4. Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across departments and levels of the organization.
5. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with a keen attention to detail and accuracy.
6. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner.
7. Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a passion for serving vulnerable and underserved populations.
8. High ethical standards and integrity, with a commitment to upholding professional ethics and confidentiality.
9. Ability to work effectively under pressure, prioritize competing demands, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
10. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal research databases.

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