In-House Counsel

Job Summary:

North Country Healthcare (NCH) seeks a highly motivated andexperienced attorney to start our internal legal team. The position will play acritical role in providing legal counsel and guidance on a wide range ofmatters related to the healthcare system's business operations, corporate requirements,regulatory compliance, and risk management. The successful candidate willcollaborate with various internal stakeholders and external partners to ensureNCH conducts its business in accordance with applicable state and federal lawsand regulations. This position is a hybrid role.

Essential Qualifications: Minimum of 5 years of legal practice experience, preferably in healthcare law or a related field. Strong understanding of healthcare regulations, including Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, HIPAA, and the Medicare/Medicaid programs. Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Effective communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects. Commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Essential Functions: 

• Contract Review and Negotiation: Review, draft, and negotiate a variety of contracts, including vendor agreements, physician contracts, service agreements, and partnership agreements for compliance with applicable laws and regulations and alignment with NCH's strategic and operational goals.
• Healthcare Litigation Support: Collaborate with outside counsel and internal stakeholders in healthcare-related litigation matters, including medical malpractice claims, regulatory investigations, and employment disputes. Assist in developing legal strategies and providing guidance throughout the litigation process.
• Government Relations: Monitor and analyze proposed legislation and regulations affecting NCH at the state and federal levels. Provide guidance to NCH leadership on potential impacts and advocate for NCH's interests when necessary.
• Corporate Transactions: Assist and/or coordinate the due diligence process for mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions involving NCH. Provide or coordinate legal advice and support for these transactions to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
• Intellectual Property: Coordinate intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, and licensing agreements, to protect NCH's branding and proprietary assets.
• Ethics and Whistleblower Investigations: Lead or assist in internal investigations of ethical concerns, fraud, or whistleblower complaints. Develop and implement appropriate responses and corrective actions.
• Risk, Privacy, & Compliance: While there are programs and others already in place to manage risk, privacy, and compliance across the system, the attorney will act as a resource to these programs.
• Policy Development and Review: Collaborate with NCH departments to develop and review policies and procedures that align with legal requirements and industry best practices.
• Regulatory Reporting: Oversee the timely and accurate submission of required regulatory reports and filings, ensuring compliance with state and federal reporting requirements.
• Stakeholder Communication: Maintain effective communication with regulatory agencies, auditors, insurers, and other external stakeholders, representing NCH's legal interests and facilitating compliance-related inquiries.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
• Adheres to facility Values, Service Excellence, or Standards of Excellence.

• External Counsel: Select, retain, manage, and evaluate outside counsel and work both independently and collectively withexternal counsel to achieve the following responsibilities.

North Country Healthcare is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire. NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations. This leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals delivers integrated patient care through three community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

North Country Healthcare is an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources department at the affiliate to which you are applying.