Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Clinical Operations & Regulatory

Summary:

The Associate General Counsel, Clinical Operations and Regulatory (this “Executive” or “Counsel”) works independently at a law firm partner level in collaboration with other applicable internal and external counsel, as well as leaders within the multi-entity, nonprofit healthcare system known as CHRISTUS Health (the “System”).

This Executive leads the work of the Clinical Operations and Regulatory team within the System’s Legal Department, including overseeing the Team’s workflow and performance in connection with legal matters relating to clinical and related operations of System entities, and applicable laws and regulations pertaining to such operations. This leader provides guidance and direction as needed to Team attorneys and other professionals, and works to ensure that effective communication, guidance and service is being provided to System leaders and other internal clients by Team members, including in connection with the development of policies and procedures, template forms and agreements, educational presentations and other matters.

In addition to such Team leadership responsibilities, this Counsel advises hospital and System management and clinical staff on legal matters arising in connection with the delivery of healthcare services and the clinical operations of healthcare facilities and providers. Areas of required expertise include: compliance with hospital, ambulatory and other healthcare facility accrediting and licensure requirements; Medicare conditions of participation; HIPAA privacy standards; disclosures to local, state and federal agencies; medical staff issues (including peer review); billing and coding requirements for healthcare facilities and providers; evaluating and assisting in the development of plans of correction; compliance issues relating to clinical operations; and management of organizational responses to governmental or payor investigations relating to hospital and other healthcare provider operations. This Executive serves as a resource for leaders, staff and medical staff leaders on legal issues relating to healthcare and medical staff operations.

This Counsel works collaboratively with clinical leaders and staff across the System, and with other CHRISTUS attorneys and leaders. This position requires the ability to work directly with healthcare facility and regional leaders, System management and boards of directors, as well as the ability to recognize systemic and other significant matters to be addressed with the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. This position requires the ability to effectively manage and coordinate with attorneys, outside counsel and paralegals to achieve positive results, while functioning at a law firm partner level.

Education:

• Juris Doctor Degree.
• Thorough knowledge of all healthcare and related laws and regulations applicable to clinical operations and related activities of hospitals and other healthcare providers.
• Thorough knowledge or ability to learn relevant laws and regulations applicable to nonprofit, tax-exempt and Catholic-sponsored healthcare systems and entities, including IRS rules and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services.

Experience:

• At least 15 years’ legal experience in providing healthcare regulatory, and compliance advice and counsel in connection with clinical practice and healthcare provider operations, particularly in hospital settings.

Skills:

• Have sufficient experience and executive presence to be recognized and trusted by regional and other System leaders for the attorney’s expertise and judgment in addressing matters arising within their and the Team’s areas of responsibility.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, resulting in effective communication with Team and other Department members, outside counsel, regulators, internal clients and System leaders, and other parties involved in System entity clinical operations.
• Ability to lead and guide teams of attorneys and other professionals, to help them develop and achieve project, professional and work-related goals.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure, and to identify and focus on priorities.
• Ability to succinctly convey key issues involved in complex legal matters to business executives and others.
• Ability to accurately and effectively describe relevant facts and issues to regulatory authorities and third parties as an effective advocate for System entities.
• Possess and continue to develop solid functional understanding of System entity clinical operations and applicable regulatory structures and provisions, to enable the development of legal approaches and tools that best serve organizational needs.
• Be capable of working independently at a law firm partner level, in collaboration with other applicable internal and external counsel, and leaders across the System.
• Orientation towards continuous improvement both professionally and with respect to the means used to provide legal services and meet other client needs.

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications:

• License to practice law in Texas, or ability to become licensed within 12 months after start date.

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