VP, Senior Counsel - Clinical Affairs

At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary

This position supervises the team of in-house attorneys and outside counsel responsible for advising on legal matters arising from direct patient care activity – including, without limitation patient consent; environment of care; professional scope of practice, reporting, and peer review; Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation; behavioral health; EMTALA; patient transfers; incident reporting; patient discharges; facility licensure; and patient safety and quality of care matters. This position supervises the Director of Policies, Procedures, and Clinical Forms in Memorial Hermann’s system offices.

Position reports directly to Chief Legal Officer. Supervises attorneys, legal support staff and less senior legal professionals as required Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Law Degree (JD) from an accredited law school required

Licenses/Certifications: Licensed by the Texas Supreme Court and admitted to the State Bar of Texas or licensed in another U.S. state with the ability to apply for admission to the State Bar of Texas.

Experience / Knowledge / Skills

• Minimum twelve (12) years’ experience in health care law in a corporate law department or law firm with in-depth experience and expertise in the above listed areas. Up to five years of experience as a clinical risk manager within a health system or hospital may count towards the foregoing requirement.
• Ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, legal support staff, peers, and business owners to achieve established goals.
• Computer proficiency
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrates commitment to the Partners-in-Caring process by integrating our culture in all internal and external customer interactions; delivers on our brand promise of “we advance health” through innovation, accountability, empowerment, collaboration, compassion and results while ensuring one Memorial Hermann.

Principle Accountabilities

• Supervises the team of in-house attorneys and outside counsel responsible for advising on legal matters arising from direct patient care activity – including, without limitation patient consent; environment of care; professional scope of practice, reporting, and peer review; Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation; behavioral health; EMTALA; patient transfers; incident reporting; patient discharges; facility licensure; and patient safety and quality of care matters.
• Supervises the Director of Policies, Procedures, and Clinical Forms in Memorial Hermann’s system offices.
• Responsible for ensuring Chief Legal Officer is updated timely on matters of likely significance to Executive Leadership team.
• Responsible for collaborating and communicating proactively, transparently, and effectively – and ensuring direct and indirect reports collaborate proactively, transparently, and effectively – with all colleagues in the Legal Department on matters potentially relevant to them.
• Supervises – and actively promotes the professional development of -- attorneys, legal support staff and less senior legal professionals.
• Responsible for oversight of substantive, complex matters.
• Mentors and advises less senior attorneys and staff.
• Provides oversight of outside counsel engaged for specialized legal services, coordinating and supervising such outsourced services to assure the successful interface between outside counsel and internal personnel necessary for a successful quality and cost-efficient outcome.
• Participates in the performance and achievement of organizational and departmental goals and initiatives.
• Advises on legal risk with organizational initiatives and day-to-day legal issues and proactively works to identify solutions that both advance business objectives and mitigate legal risk;
• Proactively builds relationships and works collaboratively with Legal Services colleagues, Risk Management, Insurance Services, Compliance, Finance, Human Resources, Clinical Operations, and other key functional areas.
• Adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of services.
• Promotes professional growth and development for all direct and indirect reports; supports department-based goals; serves as mentor and resource to less experienced staff.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.