Assistant General Counsel

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The Assistant General Counsel (East Region) will be part of WVUHS’s Legal Services Department based in Morgantown, West Virginia. However, this position will be based at WVUHS’s subsidiary, Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. This position will be responsible for contract management for the following WVUHS subsidiaries: Berkeley Medical Center, Jefferson Medical Center in Ranson, West Virginia, Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Maryland, Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, West Virginia; Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser, West Virginia; for the clinical practice plans for the West Virginia University School of Medicine and other WVUHS affiliated physician practices supporting those facilities; and for other affiliated organizations (collectively, the “East Region Facilities”), as necessary. This position will create, review, negotiate, and edit contracts and other forms of agreements, and will provide legal advice and guidance to internal customers regarding various contracting documents such as professional services agreements, recruiting agreements, affiliation agreements, leases, facility use agreements, and similar contracting and documentation of arrangements.
In addition, the Assistant General Counsel (East Region) will assist with the coordination of the Risk Management Program at the East Region Facilities to protect the interest of the hospital, ambulatory clinics, and patients focusing on clinical risk identification, regulatory risk reduction, facility risk prevention and risk control. The major goals of the Program are to provide a safe environment and quality patient care through the risk management principles of identifying, investigating, analyzing, and evaluating risks on a proactive basis and the selection of the most advantageous methods of correcting, reducing, or eliminating identifiable risks that may adversely affect our patients, visitors, and employees or the quality of care provided to patients in our facility, as well as reduce the overall cost of risk to the organization.
The Assistant General Counsel (East Region) will also assist with the day-to-day legal affairs of the East Region Facilities, including, but not limited to, medical staff affairs, litigation oversight, transactions, and employment related matters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Juris Doctorate.

2. West Virginia bar membership or eligibility.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Three (3) years of substantial experience in corporate, transaction, contract, and regulatory law in a law firm or in-house legal department OR three (3) years of experience in litigation.

2. Three (3) years of experience working in a related field, such as risk management, quality improvement, and/or claims management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Certified Risk Manager (CRM) or Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM).

2. Maryland and/or Virginia Bar membership

EXPERIENCE:

1. Five (5) years of legal experience, preferably in a management position for a business function such as legal, risk management, insurance, or other related experience.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Assists the VP & General Counsel with oversight of the on-site, day-to-day legal affairs of the East Region Facilities, including risk management, contracts, insurance, and day-to-day legal issues.

2. Assists WVUHS Litigation Counsel, as needed, with the handling of malpractice, employment, and other lawsuits against the East Region Facilities and, as appropriate, handles such matters directly.

3. Assists VP & General Counsel with oversight of Medical Staff, credentialing, and licensing matters involving East Region Facilities.

4. Assists the VP & General Counsel and Corporate Compliance Officers of WVUHS and East Region Facilities.

5. Assists VP & General Counsel with the oversight or participates in the oversight of outside counsel.

6. Stays current on trends in the law, particularly fraud and abuse, Stark, compliance, regulatory, and related matters.  Maintains knowledge of legal trends and standards which regulate health care facilities and patient care.  Works to ensure compliance with these standards

7. Prepares and reviews contracts and/or agreements involving East Region Facilities associated with those locations and internal and external corporations, vendors, agencies, or organizations.

8. Demonstrates regard for the dignity, respect, and safety of all patients, family members, visitors, and personnel as defined in the philosophy of such organizations.

9. Maintains the confidentiality of patient and department information.

10. Promotes and contributes positively to intradepartmental and interdepartmental relationships.  Displays a caring and courteous attitude and represents such organizations in a positive manner to all persons.

11. Maintains proper attendance and punctuality to ensure that such organizations are operated in an efficient and cost-effective manner and in accordance with applicable policies.

12. Diligently and in a responsible and timely manner pursues and addresses legal needs of East Region Facilities  as they arise.

13. Provides assistance and back-up coverage for the VP & General Counsel.  Maintains an ongoing understanding of matters in which the VP & General Counsel is involved so as to be capable of providing legal guidance in the VP & General Counsel’s absence.

14. Travels as necessary between WVUHS hospitals, and other facilities

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. General office work.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

3. Ability to manage multiple tasks at one time.

4. Ability to work under stress and with short deadlines.

5. Ability to solve problems in a timely and practical fashion.

6. Knowledge of litigation process and procedures.

7. Knowledge of the general operations of corporations, limited liability companies, and joint ventures.

8. Knowledge of academic medical center operations preferred.

9. Ability to communicate and interact with administration, department heads, medical staff and other hospital personnel.

Additional Job Description:

can be HYBRID

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Exempt)

Company:

SYSTEM West Virginia University Health System

Cost Center:

509 SYSTEM Legal Services

Address:

2500 Hospital DriveMartinsburgWest Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.