Sr Associate General Counsel at Westchester Medical Center – Valhalla, New York

Job Summary:

Reporitng to the Deputy General Counsel the Senior Associate General Counsel is responsible for providing specialized professional services in the handling of legal matters for the Medical Center. The Senior Associate General Counsel renders legal counsel to directors, officers and employees of the Corporation, and drafts, negotiates and reviews contracts and other legal instruments.

Responsibilities:

• Represents and advises the Medical Center, its officers and employees, in connection with the negotiation of complex business, financial and legal transactions.
• Renders written and oral legal opinions to directors, officers and employees, covering a wide range of subjects including: health, civil service, labor relations, administration, regulatory, environmental, procurement, corporate, and related matters, in order to ensure compliance with the law.
• Represents the Medical Center in actions brought for, or against the Corporation, its officers or employees, in the State and Federal comis, and in hearings of administrative boards or bodies, both State and Federal.
• Negotiates, reviews and drafts contracts, leases and other legal instruments to ensure compliance with applicable law and regulatory requirements, protect the legal interests of the Corporation, and reduce any potential risk of exposure to legal liability.
• Performs complex and extensive analyses and research of legal issues as required.
• Coordinates activities and negotiations with outside counsel and opposing counsel as required.
• Implements policies, practices and standards for assigned areas that comply with Medical Center policies and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with preparing the department's operating and capital budget in conjunction with senior leadership. Assists with monitoring the departments' budgets and expense.

• Collaborates with Information Systems staff to maintain systems and plans for existing system upgrades to enhance productivity and efficiency of the operating system.
• Promotes and provides quality customer service and proactively identifies and resolves customer issues.
• Assures all protocols, policies and procedures are in compliance with the Medical Center's policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO), New York State Health Department, and all other applicable regulatory bodies

• Responds to regulatory audits, governmental inquires, and requests for information, and supervises responses to Freedom of Information Law requests.
• Collaborates with the Compliance, Purchasing, and Risk Management Departments.
• Researches complex legal issues related to health law, not-for-profit corporations, and New York State public benefit corporations.

Employment & Labor Law Responsibilities

• Provides legal counsel on employment law matters, including hiring, discipline, termination, workplace investigations, accommodations, wage and hour compliance, and adherence to federal and New York State labor laws.
• Advises Human Resources and leadership on employee relations issues, including risk mitigation, policy development, and compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Supports and oversees internal investigations involving employee complaints, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and whistleblower matters.
• Provides guidance and training to management and staff on employment-related legal requirements and best practices.

Provider & Healthcare Regulatory Responsibilities

• Provides legal guidance on physician and provider employment and engagement models, including employment, independent contractor, and professional services arrangements.
• Drafts, reviews and negotiates provider-related agreements, including physician employment agreements, professional services agreements, call coverage agreements, and affiliation arrangements.
• Advises on provider regulatory compliance, including fraud and abuse laws such as the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute, as well as licensure and scope of practice requirements.
• Counsels on medical staff matters, including bylaws, credentialing, privileging, peer review, and disciplinary actions.
• Provides legal support in connection with provider disputes, including separations, restrictive covenant enforcement, and coordination with professional liability matters.
• Partners with Compliance and Risk Management to ensure alignment with healthcare regulatory requirements impacting providers and workforce operations.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Experience: 5-10 years of experience, required. Significant experience in employment law, including counseling employers on workplace issues, conducting investigations, and advising on labor and employment compliance, required. Experience with healthcare provider law, including physician contracting, medical staff matters, and healthcare fraud and abuse laws, strongly preferred. Experience with New York State and federal procurement laws and regulations, a plus. Experience in a healthcare system, academic medical center, or large physician group environment, preferred.

Education: LLB (Bachelor of Law) or J.D. (Juris Doctor) Law Degree, required.

Licenses / Certifications: Admission to the Bar of the State of New York, required

Other:

Special Requirements: Must have excellent interpersonal, contract drafting, and overall writing and communication skills. Must be highly organized and able to independently manage competing demands, tight deadlines, and shifting priorities, but also know when to seek guidance. Excellent critical thinking skills, sound legal and business judgment, a sense of humor, and the ability to collaborate with management and the existing team of attorneys, is essential.