Description:

Job Description Summary:
Responsible for oversight, management, coordination and direction of all aspects of the legal and risk management functions for the West Tennessee Healthcare system, including supervision of department directors and attorney staff.

Essential Job Functions:

Responsible for oversight of the development and implementation of departmental and division policies and procedures to facilitate efficient processes, customer satisfaction, and coordination of the activities and services of the Legal and Risk Management departments.
Develop the personnel, expense and capital equipment budgets for the department. Plan and analyze purchases of the department, negotiate contracts, and monitor expenses to keep within budgetary limits.
Interview, hire, train, monitor, and evaluate performance of department attorneys, paralegals, risk managers and support staff.
Represent the department/division in hospital-wide projects, including committees, etc.
Develop, in cooperation with department directors, quality improvement plans in accordance with organizational goals and complete documentation as required for organizational initiatives
Principally responsible for providing legal advice and services to hospital management in all areas of hospital and clinic operations and contracting, with concentration in the areas of physician and physician groups, medical staff, employment law, human resources, employment contracts, independent contractor arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, corporations and other areas as assigned.
Oversight of litigation, including communication with and management of outside attorneys and law firms, and serving as hospital representative in mediation and settlement negotiations.
Responds to EEOC, Office of Civil Rights, Department of Labor and other administrative requests.
Provides telephone advice, legal research, and written opinions to management and the Board of Trustees in any area of law upon request or as assigned by the General Counsel.
Assists the General Counsel through legal research and writing and other legal and administrative functions as assigned.
Legal supervision, training and advice to paralegals and administrative staff of the Office of the General Counsel, and appropriately utilizes the services of the staff.
In the absence of the General Counsel, or as assigned, attends meetings of the Board of Trustees, Medical Executive Committee, Medical Staff, or other groups.
Oversight of Risk Management activities, including the procurement of insurance coverage for the system and coordination of claims activity, investigation of complaints and occurrences, variance and other reporting requirements, and risk reduction programs.
Develops educational materials and teaches in-service training courses on legal and risk management topics as needed or assigned. Reviews and revises management guidebook policies as assigned.
Contributes to a positive work climate and the overall team effort of the division.
Projects a positive image of the Risk and Legal Departments and West Tennessee Healthcare, both internally and outside the organization.
Communicates clearly and effectively in person, by telephone or by email with internal and external customers of the division, including Trustees, Chief Executives, Department Directors, other employees of the West Tennessee Healthcare system; government officials and employees; attorneys for other hospitals and health systems and their support staffs; private attorneys and their support staffs; insurance company employees and agents; vendors and prospective vendors and their agents; patients and family members of patients, and the general public, including effective communication of legal concepts in a clear and understandable manner.
Complies with all applicable standards of legal ethics imposed by the State of Tennessee and all federal agencies with whom he or she deals in an official capacity.
Performs related responsibilities as required or directed.
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Job Specifications:
Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in business, management or a related field
Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited law school with membership on Law Review
Active Tennessee law license and current bar card
Admitted to practice in the local state and federal courts

Licensure, Registration, Certification:
Passage of a bar exam and an unrestricted license to practice law in the State of Tennessee is required

Experience:

Minimum of two (2) years' experience as in-house counsel in a hospital or health system, with principal experience and assignments in the areas of fraud and abuse, contract development and management, litigation and medical malpractice, non-profit organization requirements, medical staff issues, employment law, risk assessment and evaluation
At least ten (10) years' experience in private or public law practice in the areas of employment law, litigation, mediation, insurance defense, and contracts.
At least five (5) years of people management experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of insurance law and claims management
Ability to appropriately assess organizational risk and make recommendations for settlement or defense of claims
Ability to design and present educational programs for hospital staff on a variety of topics designed to increase awareness of legal and risk concepts