Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.
General Summary of Position:
The Assistant General Counsel will represent the Medical Center on challenging legal matters confronting one of the nation’s premier pediatric academic medical centers in a rapidly changing healthcare delivery environment. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel will work internally with a diverse group of healthcare professionals, including compliance professionals, other in-house healthcare lawyers and administrators, various committees, senior leadership, Board-level committees and/or subcommittees, and externally with State and Federal government officials, regulatory and community affairs specialists, as well as other outside organizations. The Assistant General Counsel’s duties will include a broad spectrum of healthcare regulatory, contractual and other advisory responsibilities.
Essential Job Functions:
- As a member of the legal department, Counsel will represent the Medical Center on challenging matters confronting one of the nation’s premier pediatric academic medical centers in a rapidly changing health care delivery environment.
- Works under the direction of, and assists, the Associate General Counsel to provide in-house counsel to all levels of leadership that is sound and in-line with the medical center’s strategic vision, legal responsibilities, and regulatory obligations.
- Provides legal analysis and advice related to a wide variety of healthcare business and operational issues, including patient care matters, physician-hospital relationships (including medical staff, credentialing, and peer review issues), partnership and vendor opportunities, professional and hospital licensure.
- Analyzes and advises on contracts and related business issues, as well as a broad spectrum of contract review tasks, including negotiating, drafting, and interpreting a variety of contracts, including various vendor agreements, healthcare information technology agreements, clinical and educational affiliations, managed care contracts and consulting agreements.
- Addresses legal matters including but not limited to privacy and security laws (HIPAA and state counterparts), Medicare, Medicaid, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, EMTALA, facility and provider licensure and accreditation requirements, laws application to medical staff governance, credentialing and peer review, price transparency, and billing regulatory requirements.
- Interprets federal and state legal regulations, and written policies and procedures applicable to health care, research and higher education.
- Assists in training and education relating to legal matters.
- Leads various legal projects and collaborates on cross-functional initiatives.
- Negotiates workable solutions to complex and sensitive legal issues.
- Demonstrates confidence in own abilities even when working in unfamiliar areas.
- Duties may also include participation on various committees as the legal advisor, as needed, including various Board-level committees and/or subcommittees.
- Advises on the settlement of claims and/or litigation as assigned by the Associate General Counsel.
- Researches and drafts memoranda, opinions and correspondence on legal issues affecting the Medical Center.
- Advises on the implementation of policies, practices, guidelines, and dissemination of information within the Medical Center needed to maintain compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
- Monitors legislative and regulatory developments in relevant areas by keeping current on legal literature, networking with other attorneys, and attending conferences and seminars.
- Supports effective and efficient use, coordination and management of outside counsel.
- Works closely with the other Legal Services Department members.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree and J.D. degrees are required.
- Active membership in the Illinois Bar (or ability to become an active member within one (1) year if licensed in another state).
- Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the practice of law.
- Must have excellent judgment, client counseling, multi-tasking, and decision-making skills.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate, both verbal and in writing, complex issues in a clear and understandable manner. Collegiality and a sense of humor are valued.
- Previous experience with in-house legal departments, academic medical centers, physician group practices, and/or health care delivery systems strongly preferred.
- Practical, hands-on, collaborative approach to resolving issues.
- Strong project management skills. Database development and maintenance skills are a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and congenially with employees at diverse levels.
- Decisiveness and ability to exercise good judgment under pressure.
