Associate General Counsel

Phelps Health is a 2000-employee-strong hospital and healthcare system serving the heart of small-town Missouri.

No matter where you start with us, we’re committed to taking our team to the top. If you’re ready for the challenge of providing life-saving care or supporting those who do, read on to find your fit in the Phelps Health family.

General Summary

• This position provides legal advice and counsel on a range of topics within the organization, drafting and negotiating contracts, supporting transactions, assisting with analysis and mitigation of compliance issues, identifying new and emerging areas of risk, and conducting or overseeing legal research. The Associate General Counsel also assists the Chief Legal Officer in providing leadership and management of the legal team, and in supporting and interacting with the compliance team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing legal advice and services to the senior management team and affiliated corporate entities for a wide range of operational initiatives and healthcare compliance issues.
• Protecting Phelps Health in negotiations, disputes, and litigation.
• Approving and reviewing agreements to ensure compliance with applicable statutes, case law, government regulations, and policy guidelines.
• Providing legal direction for risk management, including loss prevention, occupational safety and compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Assisting the Chief Legal Officer in legal research and analysis, and other duties as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer.

Education

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. The ability to qualify for practice in Missouri is required.

Work Experience

• Ten years experience in a corporate law firm or similar in-house legal environment, preferably in health care.
• Substantial experience in analyzing, advising, negotiating and drafting legal issues and contracts related to healthcare operations, including physician, clinical and vendor arrangements; an in-depth understanding of healthcare operations and legal issues; fair market value and physician compensation methodology analysis; fraud and abuse (Stark, Anti-Kickback and False Claims Act) compliance; corporate governance; employment law issues; healthcare transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and co-management arrangements; and non-profit tax issues.
• Strong healthcare contract negotiation and drafting skills, including in physician contracting. Solid understanding and experience working on healthcare transactions. Solid experience and understanding of the federal healthcare regulatory and enforcement environment and state equivalents. Experience and working knowledge of tax exemption requirements for non-profit healthcare providers.
• Possesses the ability to handle complex legal matters independently and to advise the company with creative solutions to problems with little or no supervision. Ability to work in a fast-paced, complex organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to translate legal complexities into terms readily understood by management and line personnel. Demonstrates effective client and project management, managerial and leadership skills.

Certification/License

• None required

Mental/Physical Requirements

• Considerable mental concentration for sustained periods of time with attention to detail of paramount of importance. Pressures of time, accuracy, and interruptions. Must handle confidential materials. Standing, walking, reaching, bending, and stooping. Vision and hearing must be good. Must have finger dexterity and complete use of hands and arms. Computer proficiency required. Must have excellent customer service skills and patience in dealing with difficult situations. Some lifting may be required up to 35 lbs.

Working Conditions

• A fast-paced setting, meeting multiple deadlines, and the ability to set priorities. Interaction with various individuals of the departments and internal/external providers. Exposure to infectious disease and hostile persons at times.

At Phelps Health, we think we have a better team, benefits, and opportunities for growth than anyone else around, and we invite you to see for yourself! Apply now to join us on our mission in health care.