Description:
Job Summary: The Contracts Counsel position reports to the Non-Physician Contracting Manager, in coordination with the Vice-President of Contracts. The Contracts Counsel is responsible for managing the review and approval of all contracts within the Alameda Health System Contracting Department. The Contracts Counsel will be responsible for managing the vendor contracting process which includes working in close collaboration with AHS business owners to understand business needs, determining appropriateness of contract request, identify most advantageous vehicle for each contracting request, and negotiating rates and language within approved guidelines. In addition, this position facilitates and coordinates the resolution of day-to-day issues regarding contracting and maintenance of vendor relationships as needed.Duties & Essential Job Functions: Note: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification, however, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.
- Provide advice and legal counsel on a wide variety of contract and transaction related issues as requested by staff in the Physician Contracting Department, Non-Physician Contracting Department, and Grants Department.
- Serve as the Public Records Act Coordinator for the AHS Contracting Department, overseeing and responding to California Public Records Act requests; advise and counsel on matters pertaining to the CPRA requests.
- Provide transactional risk assessments and risk mitigation recommendations when appropriate.
- Review and provide legal counsel for documents that will be submitted to the AHS Board of Trustees. This includes contract approval requests, policies and procedures, resolutions, and other documents as assigned.
- Provide training for the AHS Contracting staff and recommend policies and procedures to AHS on emerging issues in contract related matters.
- Address opportunities for financial performance improvements related to vendor contracts.
- Analyze, maintain, negotiate and re-negotiate formal contractual relationships with vendors which are favorable to AHS. Understands healthcare budgeting to include revenue, expenses, contribution to margin by operating unit.
- In a collaborative manner, support the department to: Develop and maintain current department policies and procedures, Execute on department goals and objectives, Adhere to annual budget, Participate in the department's performance improvement activities, Identify opportunities for process improvement.
- Interface and educate AHS staff regarding contracting processes and requirements which supports the overall reduction of AHS risk and cost of doing business. Suggest alternative scenarios to resolve conflicts; facilitate resolution of issues between interested parties causing delay in completion of necessary contracts.
- Maintain logs and shared drive contracting folders per department protocol.
- Manage portfolio of contracts; interface with AHS Associate General Counsel for complex legal issues as needed. Work with business owners to review, negotiate, edit and execute contractual agreements per organizational policy in a timely manner.
- Stay abreast of new market trends by participating in conferences, networking opportunities and publications regarding contracting trends.
- Support RFP processes, Fair Market Value (FMV) analysis and other competitive price review activities as assigned.
- Thoroughly analyze the impact of language provisions. Finalize contract documents with appropriate summary information for executive decision and execution of agreements.
- Work collaboratively with Materials Management, Finance, Legal, Facilities Management, Nursing, and Executive Suite personnel to complete contracting processes and to develop new, and improve current, processes to facilitate effective and efficient non-physician contracting workflows.
- Provide legal support services on other transactions or matters as reasonably assigned.
Qualifications:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.
Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree for an accredited law school required; Bachelor's degree required; Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Health Care Administration or related field preferred; Master's degree preferred.
Licenses or Certifications: Admitted and in good standing with the CA State BAR.
Minimum Experience: One year (1) of experience drafting agreements and negotiating various business and commercial transactions. Experience preparing and negotiating complex contracts and other legal documents is required. Three years (3) of full-time experience preferred.
Additional Information:
Key duties include the ability to interpret and apply provisions of contract negotiation, drafting, contracting law, Stark law, and AKS and applicable fraud statutes. Duties allocated evenly between supporting Non-Physician and Physician Contracting departments.
