Paralegal/Policies & Procedures Specialist (Hybrid-Gastonia NC)

Competitive Compensation & Benefits Package!  

Position eligible for – 

• Annual incentive bonus plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with low deductible/low cost health plan
• Generous vacation and sick time accrual
• 12 paid holidays
• State Retirement (pension plan)
• 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Company paid life and disability insurance
• Wellness Programs
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualifying Employer

See attachment for additional details. 

Office Location:  Hybrid option; Available for the Gastonia, NC location

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Primary Purpose of Position: To provide executive-level paralegal and administrative services for the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), including Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel (CLO/GC), Director of Legal Services, staff attorney(s), legal specialist(s) and waiver contract manager. Highly collaborative culture. Under licensed-attorney supervision where required, this position entails professional legal work in a variety of legal/operational areas or functions, including but not limited to legal research; and drafting, reviewing, proofing and communicating legal/regulatory matters regarding litigation, transactions/contracts, regulation, legislation, internal and external dispute resolution, grievances/complaints, and related legal projects. As detailed further below, key role will be managing Partners many complex policies and procedures (P&Ps), as well as program descriptions, plans and even assisting with board guidelines. In addition, position will require successful applicant to field, route and/or address (or to ensure attorney and/or OLA team addresses) legal issues and questions from various Partners’ business units and staff. Examples of work include coordinating all aspects of the internal Policy and Procedure process (with assistance of waiver contract manager); preparation and occasional participation in board level and committee meetings; assist legal team with their projects, including, e.g., key OLA metrics and ensure monitoring, prompt routing, payment and reimbursement of legal bills and expenses. Works with extremely sensitive and confidential information and records. Perform other duties as needed consistent with an executive level paralegal. Work closely with Associate General Counsel, Director of Legal Services, Waiver Contract Manager, Legal Specialist, Program Integrity Director, and their teams, also located in OLA. Position reports directly to Director of Legal Services. 

NOTE: Representation of Partners in a court of law and other acts constituting the practice of law are the responsibilities of attorneys in or for OLA. Position will cooperate with, assist and take significant responsibility for preparation of work by attorneys, but have no authority to act as legal counsel for Partners or to practice law without a license.  

Role and Responsibilities (percentages are approximations):  

50% Policies and Procedures (P&Ps): With assistance and guidance of waiver contract manager, will be directly responsible for Partners’ almost 300 P&Ps, that must be regularly reviewed, vetted and approved by management, leadership and Board. This includes oversight of revision and creation of P&Ps by Partners’ staff for accreditation, certification, contract and regulatory compliance. Also, can include Program Descriptions, Plans and perhaps assisting with board guidelines. Assist with and/or manage automation and process improvement of P&Ps. As detailed below, this role requires extensive organizational skills, knowledge and comfort with software, critical thinking, and strong writing and collaborative communications skills.  

35% Traditional Paralegal Services: With assistance from attorneys, legal specialists, waiver contract manager, and program integrity investigators, provides moderate to complex legal support services. Examples include:  

• performing legal research, both formal from traditional legal research databases (currently Lexis) and from non-traditional resources such as State and Federal legislative and regulatory websites. 
• assisting with obtaining, reviewing, proofing, executing and interpreting contracts and transactions. 
• assisting with drafting, review, proofing and issuing communications with staff, outside counsel and opposing counsel regarding contracts, litigation (subpoenas, hearing notices, pleadings, motions) and related legal projects; 
• assisting with or fielding, routing and and/or addressing legal issues and questions from various Partners' business units and staff, and/or ensuring appropriate OLA staff does so;
• attending and or assisting attendees with key meetings, hearings and conferences, providing insights to and taking notes for OLA team and Partners. 
• gather, organize and marshal on demand relevant documents, information and evidence to support OLA work and obligations. 
• liaising with Program Integrity staff on legal matters arising to legal staff from or related to investigations of alleged fraud, waste and abuse; 
• consulting OLA attorneys for supervision on matters and in any instance that might be construed as the practice of law.

10% Administrative Support: Provides comprehensive and often sophisticated/complex administrative support to OLA team. Examples include assisting OLA staff or directly to: 

• maintain OLA legal files and records. 
• create, maintain, analyze and report key OLA metrics using various OLA-specific resources and interdepartmental support. 
• routing, payment and reimbursement of legal bills and expenses, including potential assistance with the OLA legal matters management and invoicing software and database (currently CounselLink).
• communicate with outside counsel regarding pending assigned cases and legal matters, billing guidelines and other needs.
• coordinate and support highly visible functions and events, including preparation for board, executive, management level and other meetings; provider forums, council and other meetings; legal trainings; and other events involving Team OLA. 
• reserve and arrange meeting space, including IT needs. 
• schedule and coordinate select conference calls, meetings, mediations, and hearings. 
• handle staff expense reimbursements, travel reservations, supplies and miscellaneous OLA operational matters. 

5% Other Duties as Assigned: 

In all roles and responsibilities, assures confidentiality of information of a sensitive nature within the department and organization. Adheres to court, regulatory, Partners' and other deadlines. Highly organized and digitally proficient, and able to multitask in fast-paced, detail-oriented -- but highly collaborative, team-oriented and cross-functional -- environment. Maintains a thorough understanding of legal procedures and documents. Able and authorized to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations when communicating directly with persons within and outside Partners, including leadership, healthcare professionals, attorneys, judges, regulators and others. Strong oral and written communication skills essential. Significant attention to accuracy. Excellent people skills.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of NC administrative law specifically and general knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to LME/MCOs.  

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public and other persons contacted in the course of work.  
• Ability to anticipate and timely meet deadlines and projects.
• Considerable knowledge of office practices, techniques, and technology.
• Working knowledge of and the ability to understand legal documents, contractual language, legal processes and other complex or sophisticated topics and materials.
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple schedules and tasks.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, including the ability to design reports and presentations for internal and external recipients; excellent typing skills.
• Proficiency in law-related and P&P software and database resources, including or comparable to LexisNexis and CounselLink.
• Ability to manage and uphold integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data, internally and externally.
• Ability to analyze, understand, and complete tasks related to state and federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with staff, other members of the organization and stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and recommend policy, rules, and procedural guidelines.
• Ability to complete non-routine activities and tasks that might require deviation from established procedures; must be able to choose the appropriate course of action and recognize the existence of and differences among situations; sound judgment and critical thinking.
• Ability to plan and carry out the day-to-day work of the office based on priorities and knowledge of the departments; and
• Ability to recognize sensitive or unusual situations that should be referred to another more appropriate staff member or to the supervisors.
• Commitment to Partners’ core culture values.

Education and Experience Required: A minimum experience of two years in a law-related role with law firm or law department. Working knowledge of legal database software, e.g., LexisNexus or Westlaw. Extensive knowledge and proficiency of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.). Comfort and experience with electronic modes of communication, filing, record keeping and office management. 

While not frequent, must have ability to travel between counties. 

Must reside in North Carolina or within 40 miles from its border. 

Education and Experience Preferred: Associate or higher degree in Legal Studies, Business, Office Administration, Healthcare, Human Services or other relevant field, including, paralegal/legal studies, Criminal Justice, Political Science, or legal assistant. Experience in healthcare, especially public behavioral health, managed Medicaid, and healthcare payor systems and law. Knowledge of and experience/proficiency with LexisAdvance, CounselLink, WestLaw and e-OAH. Substantial prior paralegal, legal assistant or related working experience or credentialing highly preferred, especially certification as paralegal or legal assistant, e.g., NCCP.  

Licensure/Certification Requirements: Paralegal, Legal Assistant, or similar recognized certification, e.g. NCCP (out of state certification acceptable). Law license not required. JDs welcomed to apply but should not expect promotion to attorney position with or without license.