Associate Counsel

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

Associate Counsel is responsible for the provision of legal advice and services to Northeast Georgia Health System (‘NGHS’) and its affiliates under the supervision of the Chief Legal Officer. Provide advice and draft, review and assist in the structuring and negotiation of agreements, including physician and vendor agreements. Counseling on issues involving fraud and abuse, regulatory compliance, hospital and medical licensure, tax exempt status and patient rights. Coordinate responses to regulatory requests for information or subpoenas. Put on educational seminars for staff and physicians.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) and an active license to practice (Georgia license or ability to apply for and obtain Georgia license) and one (1) - five (5) years’ of relevant health law experience in a law firm practice and/or in-house is required.
Consideration will be given to qualified candidates advising health care institutions with a combined total of five (5) or more years’ experience.
Outstanding analytical, negotiating, drafting and writing ability.
Pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the broader consequences of legal advice.
Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.
Innovative thinking that adds value for clients and finds creative solutions to complex legal issues.
Interpersonal skills that foster successful interaction with a diverse array of legal colleagues, clients, and leaders at all levels.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and initiatives; prioritizing and working independently in a highly collegial and high performing environment.
High degree of personal integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to accountability.
Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws relating to healthcare, including but not limited to Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, HIPAA, AKS, self-referral prohibitions, privacy, security, and fraud and abuse.
Experience in managing, drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex contracts.
Good working knowledge of the key operational and strategic issues and challenges currently affecting hospitals, medical foundations, health systems, providers, health care delivery organizations, and/or integrated delivery systems.

Nice To Haves

Masters degree.

Responsibilities

Assists in the handling of administrative and legal proceedings before federal and state agencies and courts.
Negotiates, reviews, drafts and interprets contracts, with an emphasis on hospital-physician relationships.
Represents NGHS in licensure applications, material modifications, regulatory compliance, network provider contracting and network development.
Negotiates and drafts the settlement of claims and/or litigation.
Researches and drafts memoranda, opinions and correspondence on legal issues.
Assures effective implementation of the contract management system throughout NGHS.
Oversees, manages and works collaboratively on matters assigned to outside counsel engaged to represent or assist NGHS, including review, direction and supervision of outside counsel’s legal work.
Participates on projects or matters related to the management and administration of the Legal Department as requested by Chief Legal Officer.
Directs, manages and works collaboratively with the paralegals, executive coordinators, and other non-attorney staff assigned to work regularly or on specific projects with the Chief Legal Officer consistent with NGHS Values.
Expertly analyzes and applies state and federal licensure laws related to health care entities and licensed health care professionals, including fraud and abuse laws, including without limitation licensing, Anti Kickback Statute (AKS), Stark Law, Medicare and Medicaid requirements.
Serves on committees and assists in the formulation and implementation of policies and practices.
Participates in corporate compliance investigations.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer.