Counsel-Associate, Risk Management

Associate Counsel is responsible for the provision of legal advice and services to Northeast Georgia Health System (‘NGHS’) and its affiliates under the supervision of the Director of Enterprise Risk Management.   Provide timely advice and assistance in response to claims, complaints, subpoenas and other service of process; legal research; review and drafting of pleadings and discovery responses, claim summaries, executive reporting, mediation/trial and other litigation-related events; e-discovery and legal holds management; and other activities relating to all phases of litigation from pre-trial investigation through mediation, settlements, verdict or appeal. 

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Active license to practice law (Georgia license or ability to apply for and obtain Georgia license within six (6) months of employment)

• Educational Requirements: Juris Doctor. Bachelor’s degree in a communication related field required

• Minimum Experience: One (1) to five (5) years of relevant health law experience in a law firm practice and/or in-house is required. Consideration will be given to qualified candidates advising health care institutions with a combined total of five (5) or more years of experience.

• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

• Preferred Educational Requirements: Masters degree.

• Preferred Experience:

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Outstanding analytical, negotiating, drafting and writing ability. Pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the broader consequences of legal advice. 

• Work with members of the Risk Management Department and other attorneys in the daily management of pre-litigation and litigation pertaining to a broad range of litigation, pre-litigation and other claim management matters for the entire enterprise including professional liability, general liability, regulatory matters, and commercial litigation.

• Interpersonal skills that foster successful interaction with a diverse array of legal colleagues, clients, and leaders at all levels. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and initiatives; prioritizing and working independently in a highly collegial and high performing environment. High degree of personal integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to accountability. 

• Extensive knowledge of medical malpractice.

• Experience in overseeing and resolving claims and litigated cases.

• Good working knowledge of the key operational and strategic issues and challenges currently affecting hospitals, medical foundations, health systems, providers, health care delivery organizations, and/or integrated delivery systems as it relates to risk management..

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Assists in the handling of administrative and legal proceedings before federal and state agencies and courts.   

• Monitor and manage service of process, filings, subpoenas and a variety of other legal service documents served on the entire enterprise.

• Negotiates and drafts the settlement of claims and/or litigation.  

• Researches and drafts memoranda, opinions and correspondence on risk management issues.  

• Assures effective implementation of the enterprise risk management program throughout NGHS.

• Oversees, manages and works collaboratively on matters assigned to outside counsel engaged to represent or assist NGHS, including review, direction and supervision of outside counsel’s legal work.

• Participates on projects or matters related to the management and administration of the Risk management Department as requested by the Director of Enterprise Risk Management.

• Directs, manages and works collaboratively with the paralegals, executive coordinators, and other non-attorney staff assigned to work regularly or on specific projects with NGHS Values.

• Expertly monitors and manage confidential and proprietary databases and documents utilized by the risk management department and collaborates with internal clients across the enterprise to manage claims at various levels including claim resolution and settlement.

• Serves on committees and assists in the formulation and implementation of policies and practices.

• Participates in internal investigations.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Enterprise Risk Management

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Vision: Moderate, Frequently 31-65%of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%

• Standing/Walking: Occasionally 0-30%

• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally 0-30%

• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding, Driving