Director Physician and Hospital Transactions Counsel - Legal Services

Summary:

The Director Physician and Hospital Transactions Counsel provides legal services on matters relating to physician arrangements and business operations of CHRISTUS Health, including professional services agreement, medical director agreements, physician employment arrangements, practice acquisitions and other transactions involving the CHRISTUS System's legal entities, including its hospitals and medical groups. This counsel will work with and at the direction of more senior attorneys and autonomously within designated areas. They must be able to interact effectively with all levels of staff and management in connection with matters handled.

This attorney should have experience with (commensurate with years of relevant practice) and interest in continually expanding their understanding and staying up to date on regulations, business structures and legal and industry trends involving employment, contracting, acquisitions and operations involving physicians, other providers and physician groups. This attorney must maintain knowledge of and be able to apply current healthcare and related laws and regulations across the various states in which CHRISTUS operates, including the ability to identify and create options to address potential regulatory concerns. This counsel must be able, under the supervision and direction of more senior attorneys, to draft and negotiate terms of transactions documents to reflect desired terms and goals with clarity and precision. This attorney should be able to provide accurate and timely regulatory analysis and guidance on physician-related arrangements, including through direct communications, presentations to personnel at various levels of seniority, and drafting and revising applicable policies.

Based on experience, this position requires the ability to work at the level of a law firm associate. The attorney should demonstrate initiative, sound judgment and clear thinking, with a strong commitment to continuous learning and client service. The attorney's work should reflect a solid understanding and commitment to furthering System goals and strategies relating to System hospitals, medical groups and other provider services. This position requires the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the Legal Services Department and with other CHRISTUS staff to achieve results and provide the services needed in a timely, professional manner.

Responsibilities:

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• Research, analyze and develop legal guidance related to hospital and physician arrangements, including analysis of regulatory and state law requirements.
• Work to ensure that agreements and transactions involving physicians and other providers are consistent with requirements for nonprofit, tax-exempt entities.
• Identify and take appropriate actions to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and state laws regarding physician transactions, including physician compensation determinations, corporate practice of medicine, fee-splitting, self-referral restrictions, commercial reasonableness and fair market value standards and assessment methodologies.
• Facilitate maintaining template employment agreement language and common agreements entered into by CHRISTUS entities with physicians and other providers.
• Review and draft agreements and other documents covering a wide variety of operational issues and activities arising in connection with physician transactions and medical group operations, under the direction and supervision of a more senior attorney.
• Assist with regulatory filings and other requirements to comply with corporate practice of medicine rules.
• Assist with documentation preparation and due diligence for acquisitions of providers and related assets.
• Advise on matters related to health information privacy laws, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Serve as an active member of the Legal Services Department, including participation and leadership of departmental initiatives and improvement processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/Skills
* Juris Doctor Degree
* Working knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to hospitals and healthcare systems.
* Orientation and ability to be a continuous learner, seeking to grow both in legal knowledge and as an effective professional.

Experience
* At least one year of legal experience working on physician and healthcare-related transactional matters in a law firm or in-house setting, exclusive of litigation.
* Experience working in or for a multi-state healthcare system and/or a nonprofit health system is a plus.

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
* License to practice law in Texas, or ability to become licensed within one (1) year of hire date.

Work Schedule:

8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday

Work Type:

Full Time