Assistant General Counsel for Healthcare Quality - 61005878 (ATTORNEY II)

State of South Carolina • Lexington County, SC

14d • Hybrid

About The Position

At the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), you will do meaningful work contributing to our mission to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of everyone in South Carolina. Consider joining the DPH Office of General Counsel (OGC), where you will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative and supportive environment where people come first, where we encourage a healthy work-life balance, and where you will become part of a dedicated team of attorneys who advise the state’s first stand-alone public health agency in 50 years. Under the supervision of the agency’s Chief Counsel for Healthcare Quality (HQ), the attorney will provide legal advice and support to all HQ programs. This role involves working closely with program directors and staff engaged in specialized areas of healthcare facility and provider regulation and oversight. The attorney will assist with the promulgation of regulations and advise HQ staff on state and federal statutory and regulatory licensing and certification matters, including the State Health Facility Licensure Act and the Social Security Act. Other statutes, regulations, and subject matter areas the attorney will assist with include Midwives and Hearing Aid Specialists, Tattooing and Body Piercing, and Background Checks for Direct Caregivers. Also included among HQ program areas are Emergency Medical Services, Narcotics and Controlled Substances, and the Prescription Monitoring Program. The attorney will conduct complex legal research and prepare legal opinions and memoranda. The attorney will advise and represent HQ programs regarding enforcement matters and licensing and certification applications in meetings, enforcement conferences, contested cases at the Administrative Law Court and any further appeals, as well as certified nurse aide registry hearings. Additional responsibilities include supporting the development of Department policies, procedures, and training, coordinating responses to subpoenas, and advising HQ program areas regarding compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. The position also requires participation in the agency’s Incident Command Structure during emergencies, as needed. The attorney will draft, review, and revise legal documents to ensure accuracy, proper content, and appropriate form and grammar. The attorney will also participate in public speaking engagements by creating and delivering educational and informational presentations both within and outside the Department.

Requirements

• A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney.
• Member of the South Carolina Bar.
• Be a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Have completed trial experiences as required by Rule 403, S.C. Appellate Court Rules.
• Be trustworthy, self-motivated, and reliable.
• Possess a strong work ethic and the ability to work independently without regular guidance from their supervisor.
• Possess a level head, good judgment and common sense.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of the laws of South Carolina, with the ability to explain legal issues in simple, direct, and easily understandable terms.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a team environment and interact professionally and collaboratively with all levels of internal staff, courts, opposing counsel, government agencies, entities, and the public.
• Possess strong public-speaking skills.
• Demonstrate strong legal writing skills (a legal writing sample must be submitted with your application).
• Possess strong organizational skills.
• Possess a commitment to professionalism, ethics, and public service.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in administrative and regulatory law or healthcare law, or education, training, or experience in regulatory compliance or a healthcare-related industry.
• Experience with the state process for regulation promulgation.
• Experience in litigation.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support to all HQ programs.
• Assist with the promulgation of regulations.
• Advise HQ staff on state and federal statutory and regulatory licensing and certification matters.
• Conduct complex legal research and prepare legal opinions and memoranda.
• Advise and represent HQ programs regarding enforcement matters and licensing and certification applications in meetings, enforcement conferences, contested cases at the Administrative Law Court and any further appeals, as well as certified nurse aide registry hearings.
• Support the development of Department policies, procedures, and training.
• Coordinate responses to subpoenas.
• Advise HQ program areas regarding compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
• Participate in the agency’s Incident Command Structure during emergencies, as needed.
• Draft, review, and revise legal documents to ensure accuracy, proper content, and appropriate form and grammar.
• Participate in public speaking engagements by creating and delivering educational and informational presentations both within and outside the Department.

Benefits

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level