Assistant General Counsel - Hospital Services

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Job Description :

ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL - HOSPITAL SERVICES

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Assistant General Counsel – Hospital Services represents MHS and its wholly owned affiliates and operating divisions, and leads and implements the legal strategies as assigned for system-wide hospital operations.  MHS is a large, dynamic, and growing organization, with seven acute care hospitals, a medical group, jointly owned surgical hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers, as well as numerous additional affiliations and operating divisions.

The Assistant General Counsel partners strategically with leaders across the system, including those in the areas of system-wide hospital operations, revenue cycle and care management, health information management, litigation support related to operations and regulatory matters, medical staff services, marketing, and supply chain.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a high-performing in-house legal team and work in a positive, open, and responsive team environment.  The Assistant General Counsel must be visible, credible, and accessible, as well as an individual of the highest integrity.  The ability to listen effectively and work collaboratively is essential.   

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

Essential Functions. 

• The Assistant General Counsel – Hospital Services (ACG) works under the direction and supervision of the Chief Legal Officer, reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer.  The ACG supervises and directs contract administration for system operations and supply chain. 

• The AGC is lead counsel on the following (working with the Assistant General Counsel – Compliance and Privacy Officer, if applicable):
  • Hospital operations and contracting
  • System contract administration
  • Payment and billing issues
  • Payor contracting and payor litigation
  • Medical staff matters
  • Regulatory matters and regulatory litigation
  • Governmental investigations
  • Policy support

• This position leads the provision of accurate and timely legal advice and analysis to leaders on a variety of legal issues including, but not limited to, state specific health care laws and regulations, Medicare/Medicaid rules, fraud and abuse including Stark and anti-kickback laws and regulations, patient rights, quality of care issues, informed consent, managed care contracting and negotiations, provider credentialing, and billing and reimbursement issues.

• The AGC is the Office of Legal Affairs liaison to the System Quality Review Committee, a committee of the MHS Board, the Corporate Medical Board (the system level medical executive committee) the facility level medical executive committees, and other committees, congresses, and task forces.

• The ACG will undertake other duties as assigned.

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• Full technical proficiency in the principles and practices of representing hospital management and counseling senior leadership regarding physician relationships.
• Experience in leading strategic, complex projects and initiatives.  Demonstrated track record in leading legal aspects of and innovating legal concepts related to hospital operations.
• Outstanding analytical, negotiating, and drafting ability. Pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the broader implications of legal advice.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication. Innovative thinking that adds value for clients and finds creative solutions to complex legal issues.
• Interpersonal skills that foster successful interaction with a diverse array of legal and operational colleagues, clients, and leaders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and initiatives; prioritizing and working independently in a highly collegial and high performing environment. High degree of personal integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to accountability.
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws relating to healthcare, including but not limited to Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, HIPAA, AKS, self-referral prohibitions,  and fraud and abuse.
• Good working knowledge of the key operational and strategic issues and challenges currently affecting hospitals, health systems, providers, health care delivery organizations, and/or integrated delivery systems.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelors Degree and Juris Doctor (J.D.); an active license to practice (Texas license or ability to apply for and obtain Texas license); and a minimum of 10 years of relevant health law experience in a law firm practice and/or in-house is required.

Methodist Health System is a faith-based organization with a mission to improve and save lives through compassionate, quality healthcare. For nearly a century, Dallas-based Methodist Health System has been a trusted choice for health and wellness. Named one of the fastest-growing health systems in America by Modern Healthcare, Methodist has a network of 12 hospitals (through ownership and affiliation) with nationally recognized medical services, such as a Level I Trauma Center, multi-organ transplantation, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care, neurosurgery, robotic surgical programs, oncology, gastroenterology, and orthopedics, among others. Methodist has more than two dozen clinics located throughout the region, renowned teaching programs, innovative research, and a strong commitment to the community. Our reputation as an award-winning employer shows in the distinctions we’ve earned:

• TIME magazine Best Companies for Future Leaders, 2025
• Great Place to Work® Certified™, 2025
• Glassdoor Best Places to Work, 2025
• PressGaney HX Pinnacle of Excellence Award, 2024
• PressGaney HX Guardian of Excellence Award, 2024
• PressGaney HX Health System of the Year, 2024