VP & General Counsel- WVUH & UHA

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Under the supervision of the Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of WVU Health System, the Vice President & General Counsel (VP) is responsible for serving as the on-site General Counsel for West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc. (WVUH) and West Virginia University Medical Corporation d/b/a University Health Associates (UHA), directing the day-to-day legal and legal-related affairs of WVUH and UHA, with assistance as needed of the Assistant General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and Assistant Vice Presidents (AVPs) of the WVU Health System Legal Services Department (WVUHS Legal Services).

This role includes daily interaction with the President/CEO of WVUH and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of UHA, as well as other members of the WVUH and UHA executive leadership teams providing advice on complex legal matters that influence operational strategy, medical staff affairs, and organizational risk. The VP & General Counsel plays a pivotal role in proactive risk management across a growing and dynamic healthcare system and works in close relations with West Virginia University (WVU), the WVU Health Sciences Center, and the WVU Legal Services Department..

In addition to providing expert legal counsel on employment law, medical staff issues, regulatory compliance, including compliance with Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse, Stark, and tax exemption, contracting, investigations, and risk mitigation to the WVUH and UHA executive leadership teams, the VP & General Counsel is responsible for coordinating with the WVUHS Legal Services team to ensure alignment and operational excellence. The VP & General Counsel is also responsible for other day-to-day duties as assigned by the CLO.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

2. Active and unrestricted license to practice law in West Virginia or eligibility to obtain licensure within one (1) year of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years focused on healthcare or hospital legal matters.

2. Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring or supervising other legal professionals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE:

1. Prior experience as in-house counsel within a healthcare system.

2. Experience supporting multi-site or multi-entity healthcare organizations and/or academic medical centers.

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.

Strategic Legal Leadership

1. Serves as the on-site General Counsel of WVUH and UHA with the assistance, as needed, of the other Assistant Counsel Associate Counsel, and AVPs within WVUHS Legal Services.  

2. Serves as an integrated component of the WVUHS Legal Services department

3. Serves as a key legal advisor to WVUH and UHA senior leadership, providing high-level counsel on complex legal matters.

4. Oversees the on-site, day-to-day legal affairs of UHA and WVUH, and its subsidiaries, including risk management, contracts, medical staff affairs, corporate matters, insurance, and day-to-day legal issues.

5. Assists WVUHS Litigation Counsel, as needed, with the handling of malpractice, employment, and other lawsuits against UHA, WVUH, and its subsidiaries, and handles such matters directly.

6. Assists Associate General Counsels, AVPs, and the CLO, as needed, with the handling of contracts and transactions involving UHA, WVUH, and its subsidiaries, and handles such matters directly.

7. Oversees Medical Staff, credentialing, and licensing matters involving UHA, WVUH, and its subsidiaries, and its physicians with the assistance, as needed, of Associate General Counsels, AVPs, and the CLO.

8. Assists the Corporate Compliance Officers of WVUHS, WVUH, and UHA, as needed, on compliance matters.

9. Selects or participates in the selection of the outside counsel to advise and represent UHA, WVUH, and its subsidiaries, ensuring that such outside counsel provides legal services to UHA, WVUH, and its subsidiaries in a professional, timely, courteous, and competent manner.

10. Oversees or participates in the oversight of such outside counsel.

11. Develops and implements an appropriate educational program for the Boards of Directors, committees, officers, and employees with respect to applicable laws and their legal duties and responsibilities.

12. Performs such other duties as requested by the CLO, the President/CEO of WVUH, and/or the CMO of UHA.

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.

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

  

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Strong knowledge of healthcare, contracts, employment law, medical staff affairs, regulatory compliance at the federal and state level, and corporate governance with the ability to interpret and apply laws in a healthcare setting

2. Excellent legal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess risk and offer practical, business-minded solutions

3. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information in a clear, concise, and professional manner

4. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization

5. Proven ability to manage and oversee sensitive employee relations investigations while maintaining confidentiality and fairness

6. Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and interpret policies and procedures to ensure organizational compliance and consistency

7. Skilled in leading and mentoring others

8. Proactive approach with strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

9. Sound judgment and decision-making abilities, with the confidence to advise senior leaders on high-stakes legal matters

10. Commitment to professional growth and staying current on healthcare, employment, and contract law trends, regulatory changes, and best legal practices

11. Strong knowledge of healthcare regulatory environments, employment law, provider relations, medical staff affairs, risk management, compliance, and academic medical center structure.

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:

1 Medical Center Drive

Morgantown

West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

 

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.