Associate General Counsel

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of a Boston Medical Center Health System (BMCHS) Deputy General Counsel, provides legal counsel and services to protect BMC and/or BMCHS interests and ensure that its affairs are managed in accordance with the law and policy.

Position: Associate General Counsel        

Department: Legal

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Assumes a leadership role in ensuring the provision of legal counsel and the protection of legal rights for the corporation.  Provides legal advice to BMC and/or the BMCHS community.
• Keeps management informed of proposed and new legislation, administrative and court decisions pertinent to the operation of the BMC and/or the BMCHS community.  Provides updates on changing regulations.
• Handles legal matters and problems independently including contracts, leases, managed care agreements, negotiations, corporate filings and interpretations of laws and regulations.
• Participates in and manages litigation.
• Handles a variety of patient care legal issues including representation in guardianship cases.
• Assists the development and review of BMC and/or BMCHS policies and procedures.
• Maintains an effective working relationship with corporate-wide contacts including Senior Management and physicians.
• Resolves, or provides guidance on a variety of general business issues referred to the Office of General Counsel.
• Reviews work to ensure conformity to established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program and safety standards.
• Participates in interviewing and hiring applicants. Accurately records employee overtime and absenteeism, tardiness and other time records.  Initiates disciplinary procedures as required.
• Participates in the administration of the Office of the General Counsel.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with outside counsel, governmental agency lawyers and staff, various outside parties and lawyers.
• Provides in-service education and conducts training seminars on a variety of legal issues.
• Represents the department at meetings and participates on committees as directed.
• Participates in activities that lead to continuous professional development such as seminars and conferences to keep abreast of legal developments and changes in regulatory environment.
• Attends and participates in hospital courses as requested by the General Counsel.
• Maintains membership in appropriate professional organizations and attends professional organization meetings.
• Uses hospital's values as the basis for decision making and to further the hospital’s mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Performs other duties as needed

Adheres to all of the RESPECT principles

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited Law School required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar.

EXPERIENCE:

Work requires knowledge of federal and state law applicable to the healthcare industry, including familiarity with reimbursement, privacy, fraud and abuse, research, patient care, and the current regulatory environment; of legal and procedural practices; of office and supervisory practices and procedures at a level generally acquired through at least seven to ten years of varied legal experience with an emphasis on health-related issues.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Work requires excellent oral and written communication skills. 

Work requires analytical ability necessary to provide legal services and advice over a wide variety of legal issues; to draft legal documents; to negotiate contracts, transactions and settlements; and to determine appropriateness of appealing administrative decisions.

Work requires interpersonal skills necessary to provide a leadership role in ensuring the provision of legal counsel; to maintain an effective working relationship with corporate-wide contacts including Senior Management and physicians; to effectively communicate with all levels of employees; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside counsel, governmental agency lawyers and staff, various outside parties and lawyers; to instruct employees on various legal issues.

Work requires a working knowledge of computers including word processing and e-mail systems.  Work requires the production of documents and letters with minimal secretarial support.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans