Assistant General Counsel - East Region

WVU Medicine•Burbank, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant General Counsel (East Region) is part of WVUHS’s Legal Services Department and is based at Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The role provides contract management and legal services to East Region Facilities, including WVUHS hospitals, clinical practice plans, affiliated physician practices, and other affiliated organizations. Responsibilities include creating, reviewing, negotiating, and editing contracts and advising internal customers on professional services, recruiting, affiliation, lease, facility-use, and similar agreements. The position also assists with coordinating the Risk Management Program at East Region Facilities, focusing on clinical risk identification, regulatory risk reduction, facility risk prevention, and risk control. The program aims to support a safe environment and quality patient care by identifying, investigating, analyzing, and evaluating risks, then selecting methods to correct, reduce, or eliminate them and limit organizational risk costs. The Assistant General Counsel supports day-to-day legal affairs, including medical staff matters, litigation oversight, transactions, employment matters, contracts, insurance, and risk management. The position assists the VP & General Counsel, litigation counsel, and compliance officers; supports oversight of outside counsel; maintains knowledge of relevant healthcare laws and standards; and travels between WVUHS hospitals and other facilities as necessary. The position may be hybrid and is scheduled for 40 hours per week.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate.
West Virginia bar membership or eligibility.
At least three years of substantial experience in corporate, transaction, contract, and regulatory law in a law firm or in-house legal department, or three years of litigation experience.
At least three years of experience in a related field such as risk management, quality improvement, or claims management.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to work under stress and with short deadlines.
Ability to solve problems in a timely and practical manner.
Knowledge of litigation processes and procedures.
Knowledge of the general operations of corporations, limited liability companies, and joint ventures.
Ability to communicate and interact with administration, department heads, medical staff, and other hospital personnel.

Nice To Haves

Certified Risk Manager (CRM) or Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM).
Maryland and/or Virginia bar membership.
At least five years of legal experience, preferably in a management position for a business function such as legal, risk management, or insurance, or other related experience.
Knowledge of academic medical center operations.

Responsibilities

Assist the VP & General Counsel with oversight of the on-site, day-to-day legal affairs of East Region Facilities, including risk management, contracts, insurance, and legal issues.
Assist WVUHS Litigation Counsel with malpractice, employment, and other lawsuits involving East Region Facilities, and handle matters directly when appropriate.
Assist with oversight of medical staff, credentialing, and licensing matters involving East Region Facilities.
Assist the VP & General Counsel and WVUHS and East Region Facilities Corporate Compliance Officers.
Assist with or participate in oversight of outside counsel.
Stay current on legal trends and standards, especially fraud and abuse, Stark, compliance, regulatory, healthcare facility, and patient-care matters, and work to ensure compliance.
Prepare and review contracts and agreements involving East Region Facilities and internal or external corporations, vendors, agencies, and organizations.
Respect the dignity, safety, and privacy of patients, families, visitors, and personnel; maintain confidentiality of patient and department information.
Promote positive interdepartmental relationships and represent the organizations in a caring and courteous manner.
Maintain attendance and punctuality in accordance with applicable policies.
Address the legal needs of East Region Facilities diligently, responsibly, and promptly.
Provide assistance and backup coverage for the VP & General Counsel and maintain an understanding of relevant matters to provide legal guidance during the VP & General Counsel’s absence.
Travel between WVUHS hospitals and other facilities as necessary.