Assistant Healthcare Counsel

Welcome! We’re excited you’re considering an opportunity with us! To apply to this position and be considered, click the Apply button located above this message and complete the application in full.  Below, you’ll find other important information about this position. The Assistant Healthcare Counsel (AC) is responsible for assisting the Assistant Vice President & Senior Clinical Operations Counsel (AVP) in managing the legal affairs of West Virginia University Health System, Inc. (WVUHS). This responsibility includes daily interaction with the members of the WVUHS Legal Services department. The position reports to the AVP. Tasks may also be assigned by the Chief Legal Officer, Assistant Vice President and Senior Litigation Counsel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Juris Doctor or equivalent.

2. West Virginia Bar membership or eligibility.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Three (3) years’ experience in litigation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE:

1.  Five (5) years’ experience in health care law.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Provides assistance and back up to the AVP in the pursuance of their responsibilities.

2. Performs designated tasks in litigation-related matters including medical negligence, employment and general liability claims and cases.

3. Performs legal research and prepares legal memoranda addressing legal issues presented in cases involving System hospitals and employed healthcare providers.

4. Performs research and provides advice regarding compliance with Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse, Stark and tax exemption, HIPAA and privacy / security regulations, state and federal healthcare laws and regulations, and other medico-legal matters.

5. Performs research to update and revise bylaws and medical staff bylaws.

6. Performs research regarding the development of policies, procedures, consents and other forms and all forms of medical record documentation. Additionally, engages in preparation of policies, procedures, consents, and other medical record documentation in collaboration with healthcare providers and/or administrative leaders.

7. Prepares and reviews case summaries, pleadings and motions, and administrative filings as necessary to provide effective legal representation to System hospitals and employed healthcare providers.

8. Engages in supporting system administrative leaders, Medical Staff leaders, and/or Human Resources in interviews, investigations, and/or processes independently or with AVP.

9. Appears as counsel on behalf of System hospitals and employed healthcare providers at hearings, mediations and trials, either independently or with AVP.

10. Develops and delivers educational programs regarding legal matters for System hospitals and employed healthcare providers.

11. Performs research and provides legal updates for the CVO.

12. Performs research related to the regulations surrounding clinical trials, devices, and recalls.

13. The AC provides assistance in dealing with legal issues.

14. Conducts legal research in an accurate, thorough, and timely manner, and draws appropriate conclusions from that research.

15. Gathers facts, through personal interviews and other investigatory activities, as are necessary for the development of appropriate legal strategies or documents.

16. Timely produces legal documents reflecting conducted research including the conclusions necessary to address the legal needs of the System and System hospitals.

17. Reviews and prepares contracts.

18. Participates in legal representation of System and System hospitals in administrative proceedings.

19. Participates in meeting the goals and objectives of the work unit and department to ensure that the department contributes to the attainment of the employer’s goals and objectives.

20. Diligently and in a responsible and timely manner, pursues and addresses legal needs of System and System hospitals as they arise.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. General office work.

2. Travel to courts and administrative agency offices within West Virginia.

3. Occasional out-of-town travel may be required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

2. Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

3. Ability to manage multiple tasks at one time.

4. Ability to work under stress and with short deadlines.

5. Ability to solve problems in a timely and practical fashion.

6. Knowledge of litigation process and procedures.

7. Knowledge of the general operations of corporations, limited liability companies, and joint ventures.

8. Knowledge of academic medical center operations preferred.

9. Ability to communicate and interact with administration, department heads, medical staff and other hospital personnel.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Exempt)

Company:

SYSTEM West Virginia University Health System

Cost Center:

509 SYSTEM Legal Services

Address:

1240 Suncrest Towne CentreMorgantownWest Virginia

WVU Medicine is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among our workforce and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, language, national origin, religious affiliation, spiritual practice, age, mental and physical ability/disability or Veteran status.