Associate Counsel

Typical pay range: $137,575 - $189,175/year
Remote hybrid - typical schedule includes three days onsite at the Bend St. Charles campus. Paid relocation is available for in-state and out-of-state applicants.
ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE:Associate Counsel
REPORTS TO POSITION: VP of Legal Affairs
DEPARTMENT: Legal Department
DATE LAST REVIEWED: February 2022
OUR VISION: Creating America's healthiest community, together
OUR MISSION: In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value
OUR VALUES: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Legal Department provides advice, counsel, and support to the health system on legal and risk matters. The department responds to questions about legal rights and responsibilities; counsels on health-related statutes and regulations, including the Stark Law, Federal False Claims Act, Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, HIPAA, EMTALA; provides general corporate governance counsel per the Oregon Non-Profit Corporations Act and IRS nonprofit regulations; manages claims and suits filed against the health system and its caregivers; provides proactive instruction to caregivers and leaders in a preventive capacity; and provides other services to mitigate the legal risk faced by the health system.
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Associate Counsel at St. Charles Health System, Inc. ("St. Charles") provides legal counsel and representation to the health system and its personnel, helping ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and policy requirements and best practices. In addition to the above, the Associate Counsel assists in the review and facilitation of contracts entered into by the health system. This position does not directly manage other caregivers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
Researches, develops, and maintains an in-depth knowledge of legal and regulatory principles, practices, standards, and techniques pertaining to St. Charles and health care.
Counsels on health care laws and regulations, including the Stark Law, Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, EMTALA, HIPAA, Joint Commission standards and IRS nonprofit regulations.
Develops, reviews, and negotiates contracts relevant to St. Charles' business and operations, including, without limitation, employment agreements, medical director contracts, leases, service agreements, and purchase agreements.
Drafts and reviews St. Charles policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Maintains knowledge and informs management of current regulations affecting St. Charles business practices and relationships.
Assists in researching, analyzing, guiding, educating, and coaching the organization on patient rights, contract interpretation and negotiation, and health care law to mitigate risk to St. Charles.
Uses St. Charles' contracts management software and ensures that the services provided in connection with the software continue to meet the needs of the health system and its caregivers.
Helps manage and educate outside lawyers who perform contract development, review, negotiation, and related services for St. Charles.
Monitors contract turnaround times and throughput rates, making adjustments as necessary, to ensure that contracts are completed in a timely manner that properly balances protection of St. Charles, legal risk mitigation, and the operational needs of the service line.
Coordinates the interpretation and delivery of subpoenas, court orders, and other legal documents received by St. Charles.
Participates in various meetings throughout the health system, offering advice and counsel to clients on legal and risk matters, as they arise.
Responds to outside calls and other communications on legal issues on various legal matters and questions, with responsibility for responding to urgent after-hours calls from caregivers on respect to legal and risk matters.
Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, supporting the health system's corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violations of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all company investigations and proceedings.
Listens attentively and responds respectfully and promptly to caregivers, patients, and others who have legal concerns or questions, and delivers customer service in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient, and accurate.
Communicates and behaves in a manner that is consistent with, and that helps support, St. Charles' mission, vision, and values, and conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
Ability to provide effective counsel independently with minimal day-to-day direct supervision.
May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.
EDUCATION:
Required: Law degree
Preferred: N/A
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:
Required: Licensed with (or the ability to waive into) the Oregon state bar. Valid Oregon driver's license and ability to meet St. Charles driving requirements. Ability to travel to business functions/trainings/meetings and all St. Charles worksites.
Preferred: N/A
EXPERIENCE:
Required: At least three (3) years' experience working as a lawyer in health-related law field, with a particular emphasis on regulatory and transactional experience. Working knowledge of health care statutes and regulations, including the Stark Law, Federal False Claims Act, Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, EMTALA and HIPAA, as well as knowledge of applicable nonprofit law.
Preferred: Extensive experience in contract drafting, review, negotiation, and management.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.
ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:
Skills:
Position Specific:
Knowledge of health care laws and regulations, including the Stark law, the Anti-Kickback law, EMTALA, HIPAA, Joint Commission standards, as well as IRS nonprofit law.
Ability to learn and apply basic computer skills including locating and opening documents, completing forms, opening, and sending e-mail messages.
Maintains a constant awareness of the legal aspects of position and demonstrates this awareness in decisions and communications.
General:
Communication/Interpersonal
Demonstrates St. Charles values of Accountability, Caring and Teamwork in every interaction.
Has excellent communication skills and an ability to interact with a diverse population.
Has strong writing, team working and collaborative skills.
Has an ability to reach consensus with a diverse population with differing needs.
Has an ability to build consensus among health care professionals and agencies in order to achieve expected results.
Has an ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Organizational
Ability to multi-task and work independently.
Attention to detail.
Excellent organizational skills, written and oral communication and customer service skills, particularly in dealing with stressful personal interactions.
Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.
Computer
Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft applications (Outlook, Word) and Adobe Acrobat
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Continually (75% or more): Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.
Frequently (50%): Sitting, standing, walking, lifting 1-10 pounds, keyboard operation.
Occasionally (25%): Bending, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, carrying/pushing, or pulling 1-10 pounds, grasping/squeezing.
Rarely (10%): Stooping/kneeling/crouching, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling 11-15 pounds, operation of a motor vehicle.
Never (0%): Climbing ladder/stepstool, lifting/carrying/pushing, or pulling 25-50 pounds, ability to hear whispered speech level.
Exposure to Elemental Factors
Never (0%): Heat, cold, wet/slippery area, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface.
Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category
No Risk for Exposure to BBP
Schedule Weekly Hours:
40
Caregiver Type:
Regular
Shift:
Is Exempt Position?
Yes
Job Family:
ATTORNEY
Scheduled Days of the Week:
Monday-Friday
Shift Start & End Time:
8:00am-5:00pm