The Assistant General Counsel is responsible for overseeing and managing legal affairs for the assigned SSM Health (SSM) regions of Missouri and Illinois and its operating entities under the direction of the Regional General Counsel – Missouri and Illinois.  The scope of this role includes, but is not limited to: providing legal advice to all regional entities, including twelve hospitals, three medical groups, home care and hospice operations, an accountable care organization, a clinically integrated organization, and two managed care organizations, on all regulatory, compliance, and legal matters other than labor and employment, which may include: retaining, managing, and overseeing outside counsel; assisting in transactions, including managing due diligence efforts related to mergers or acquisitions; interpreting legislation, laws, regulations and legal documents; and advising management on legal matters and providing education on the health care laws and/or changes in those laws.

Responsibilities:

• Works collaboratively with the Regional General Counsel – Missouri and Illinois and System Legal Affairs staff to ensure SSM’s operations comply with relevant law, ethical business practices, and SSM’s mission and values.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations, SSM’s Corporate Responsibility Program, SSM’s Code of Ethics, and relevant Policies and Procedures to ensure actions are consistent with SSM’s mission and values as well as organizational and professional ethical requirements.
• Performs tasks on major issues as requested by SSM’s General Counsel.
• Performs other duties and tasks as requested by the Regional General Counsel – Missouri and Illinois and Regional/Entity Presidents and Vice Presidents.
• Oversees and manages legal affairs for the Missouri and Illinois regions and their operating entities, including advising and educating management on legal matters; providing advice and counsel to all regional entities on regulatory, compliance, and other legal matters; and communicating legal issues affecting the operations of the regions, including applicable law and regulatory matters.
• Understands the legal structure, operating structure, and finance structure of SSM and the Missouri and Illinois regions, analyzes current or planned activities within those structures, and identifies and directly oversees legal work affecting the Missouri and Illinois regions and/or their operating entities.
• Negotiates arrangements for the provision of legal services by retained outside counsel, including description of the scope of work and fee arrangements, and ensures that the region receives value for its expenditures for legal services by monitoring the work performed by retained outside counsel for quality, efficiency, performance and results.
• Develops internal policies and procedures for the Missouri and Illinois regions.
• Provides direct oversight on major regional activities that have legal implications, including collaborations and legal efforts related to mergers and acquisitions.   
• Provide advice on legal issues affecting the Missouri and Illinois region including, but not limited to, risk management, regulatory, compliance, patient safety and quality, provider-based requirements, licensing, billing, corporate governance, litigation, and medical group legal issues.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, SSM Health’s Corporate Responsibility Program, SSM Health’s Code of Ethics, and SSM Health’s relevant policies and procedures to ensure actions and legal advice are consistent with the law, SSM Health’s mission and values, and SSM Health’s organizational and ethical requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school (health law focus preferred). 
• Must be licensed to practice in Missouri and a member in good standing of the Missouri bar, or eligible to obtain licensure or admission to practice as in-house counsel in Missouri.      
• At least 5 years of experience either in-house and/or at a law firm advising clients in the areas of health care law and regulations. 
• In-depth knowledge of health care and provider operations, health care regulation and compliance, healthcare finance and reimbursement, Fraud and Abuse, False Claims Act, and the accreditation standards. 
• Utmost discretion in maintaining appropriate confidentiality, as well as knowledge of attorney-client privilege.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills as well as interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage a significant work load, prioritize projects appropriately, and work independently.
• Ability to type with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to use a personal computer and possession of advanced skills in the latest software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Lync and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to adapt to new technology and new processes with minimal explanation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Dual licensure in both Missouri and Illinois desirable.
• Experience working with non-profit health systems strongly desired.
• Experience with payer issues and payer contracting desirable.