Policy Director, Legal Affairs

WASHINGTON STATE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION•Seattle, WA

1d•$124,343 - $180,040•Hybrid

About The Position

The Policy Director leads public policy analysis, advocacy, and implementation on key laws, regulations, and agency actions of material importance to the operations of Washington State hospitals. The Policy Director provides the substantive expertise and direction needed to develop the legal and policy structure in order to further our hospital members’ ability to deliver quality, cost effective care. The Policy Director has responsibility for specific pieces of achieving the organization’s public policy goals; influences state and federal elected bodies, elected officials and administrative agencies; and assists hospital members in following and taking advantage of new laws. Furthermore, the Policy Director translates understanding of hospital needs to achievable policy measures. This position specializes in policy work with an emphasis on health care laws impacting hospital operations. Policy work includes risk management, state charity care, privacy and security, information technology, the involuntary commitment system and adolescent behavioral health, bill drafting, as well as work with the various state agencies that regulate the applicable policy areas. The position reports to WSHA’s Vice President and Associate General Counsel and works closely with the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. The Policy Director specializes in one or more of the following areas: Position one: Hospital operations and construction, pharmacy, workplace, and environmental policy; Position two: Hospital operations, such as workforce, Health Care Cost Transparency Board, systems of care and public health, scope of practice, and other issues; Position three: Financial issues related to hospital and health system payment and payment processes for Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurers. This position works closely with the Health Care Authority, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, finance staff of member hospitals, and other WSHA staff on ongoing work such as Disproportionate Share Hospital process and Hospital Safety Net Assessment Program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required and at least five years of professional public policy and/or advocacy experience with a health care related organization, association, governmental entity, or political organization, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
For policy director, legal affairs, juris doctorate degree required.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex law and regulations and communicate conclusions and recommendations in plain English to key audiences.
Ability to draft legal memos, policy documents, regulations, and legislation.
Familiarity with Washington State law and regulations.
Knowledge of state, federal and local political processes.
Ability to build effective relationships and represent WSHA in a professional and confident manner
Deep knowledge of health care environment.
Strong project coordination/management and leadership skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Exceptional interpersonal skills.
Ability to successfully communicate effectively and work with diverse populations.
Ability to conceptualize, analyze and communicate complex health policy issues to internal and external stakeholders.
Strong, collaborative team player also able to successfully work independently.
Proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects with competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Comfortable giving and receiving feedback in a constructive manner to colleagues and supervisors.
Proficiency with computers and software is required, including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint and PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or juris doctorate strongly preferred.
Preference for Washington State Bar license.
Experience with Adobe Acrobat is a plus.

Responsibilities

Identify public policy opportunities or threats and create and develop legislative or regulatory response.
Engage WSHA members in public policy and advocacy, including preparing members to testify.
Serve as lead staff on key health care issues with the state legislature and state administrative agencies.
Coordinate with WSHA lobbyists.
Identify and lead opportunities for WSHA to address public policy challenges through voluntary efforts.
Develop WSHA response on proposed rules and agency guidelines.
Develop partnerships with other organizations that share WSHA’s interests and coordinate actions.
Direct work of WSHA decision support staff to identify and display relevant data and information.
Present information at legislative committees, regulatory hearings, and other governmental meetings, as well as to partner organizations.
Present and facilitate discussions with the WSHA Board and committees.
Convene and chair WSHA sponsored work groups of hospital members, such as hospital pharmacists, financial counselors, hospital legal staff, hospital reimbursement staff, and others.
Represent WSHA at outside workgroups and committees.
Keep members informed on WSHA advocacy efforts through phone conferences, webinars, newsletters, bulletins and other communication vehicles.
Assist members in following important state laws and in implementing new laws.
Develop relationships with key agency staff, member staff and partner organizations to identify and pursue hospital member interests.
Contribute to the development of WSHA strategic goals.
Participate as part of the policy development team -- sharing work, expertise, and resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.