Chief Legal Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Legal Officer is responsible for the provision, oversight and management of the legal affairs of Community Medical Centers (CMC). The Chief Legal Officer plays a crucial role in fulfilling the commitment of CMC to provide the best quality of care possible as well as the continuous assessment and improvement of the quality of care and the services. This position has the principal authority and responsibility for leading legal initiatives, advising on business and legal risks and providing counsel on regulatory, compliance, employment, and other matters. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and will advise CMC on legal strategies to enhance the work of the community health center.

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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor degree and an active California Bar license are required.
• Five years of legal, business, or health care experience is required.
• Knowledge of state and federal healthcare laws, including federally qualified health center and privacy regulations.
• Previous experience demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage professional relationships.
• Valid California Driver's License, proof of insurance and personal transportation.

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SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Work collaboratively with the members of the Executive team to achieve the corporation’s strategic objectives.
• Provide counsel and guidance on legal matters to the organization, including the Board of Directors, the CEO and senior management.
• Lead and drive corporate legal initiatives, aligning them with overall company strategies.
• Manage and oversee the legal function within the organization.
• Conduct legal research as needed or various legal issues.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, including real estate leases, construction contracts, business associate agreements and clinical education agreements.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to define strategies and contingencies on legal actions taken against or filed on behalf of the company.
• Remain abreast of and provide guidance on relevant laws and regulations impacting the organization.
• Collaborate with and provide counsel to organization on transactional matters.
• Determine the necessity for engaging external counsel and manage the selection, retention, and overall oversight of external counsel.
• Oversee Information Security Officer and provide guidance on privacy laws and regulations.
• Attend and contribute at departmental meetings, Board of Directors, and committee meetings, and attend external meetings, groups, or events as appropriate to the scope of the position and/or as assigned.
• Manage claims submitted to insurance carriers and assess and select panel counsel.
• Oversee the management of the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with senior leaders on the management of risks, including identification of new risks, incident identification, communication, issues management and internal and external reporting.
• Manage FTCA claims and serve as the claims point of contact on any such claims.
• Collaborate with senior leaders on strategic plans, execution plans, risk policy and risk tolerance, and business plans.
• Other duties as assigned.

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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Highly effective collaboration skills, written and verbal communications skills.
• Computer competent and able to present key information in a succinct and clear manner.
• Ability to facilitate conflict resolution, competent in identification of risk situations and resolution.
• Ability to communicate well with families, patients, staff and physicians based on age, cultural beliefs and educational level.
• Attention to detail, meticulous development and maintenance of regulatory paperwork.
• Speaks with confidence and command.
• Knowledge of organizational policies, procedures and systems
• Ability to interact with internal personnel and external agencies requiring reasonable tact, discretion, and self-expression.
• Ability to maintain open dialogue with supervisors and management staff.
• Ability to work independently, use good judgment, maintain excellent communication skills and self-initiative.

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TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and push up to 100 pounds (on wheels)
• Must be able to hear on the phone and those who are served in person, and speak clearly in order to communicate information to staff
• Must have vision with or without lenses that is adequate to read memos, a computer screen, personnel forms and other documents
• Must have high manual dexterity
• Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, twist/turn, fingering and feeling.

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TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office environment within a clinic setting. Involves frequent contact with staff and the public. Work may be stressful at times. Contact may involve dealing with upset people.