General Counsel

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated General Counsel to join our team at Silver Hill Health. The individual in this role will provide comprehensive legal support to the Silver Hill Health system, acting as a general resource and coordinator for a wide range of areas in which legal expertise is needed. This includes but is not limited to employment law (e.g., hiring, terminations, benefits, employee relations), contracts with external vendors (e.g., drafting, editing, and vetting), contracts with insurance company payers, non-profit corporate governance and board practices, corporate structure including merges and acquisitions, brand licensing, healthcare licensing and regulation, healthcare privacy and record keeping, medical malpractice, insurance, tax, neighbor relations, and real-estate. The attorney will also oversee all management and tracking of legal documents. While the attorney should have some degree of familiarity with all these areas, they will be encouraged to reach out to enlist focused expertise where needed, e.g., on regulatory matters with our long-standing external counsel. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in healthcare law. Experience in behavioral health or addiction services is preferred, though not a requirement.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice and support to hospital administration, clinical staff, and various departments on a wide range of issues, including (but not limited to) privacy, malpractice torts/patient complaints, personnel matters, mergers acquisitions & affiliations, and insurance policies.

• Ensure the hospital’s operations comply with federal and state regulations, including (but not limited to) HIPAA, mental health laws, STARK/Anti-Kickback, and licensing requirements. Develop and implement policies to ensure ongoing compliance.

• Acts as a subject matter expert with a strong understanding of the business, legal, financial, and technical requirements of the transactions related to Silver Hill Health's lines of business.

• Negotiates contractual provisions to reflect business requirements that meet company needs and maximize revenue, flexibility and potential, while minimizing exposure and liability

• Negotiates, structures, drafts, and manages contractual documents that establish the terms and conditions of the business relationships and pricing with vendors, customers and/or partners

• Negotiates contracts, drafts terms and conditions using original text/language, and redlines contracts

• Responsible for developing and maintaining client/vendor relationships, interacting with all levels of management, and may participate in vendor management

• Responsible for creating standard, template agreements for new services and software products

• Leads the contract negotiation process and coordinates the process across several departments and areas within the organization.

• Documents issues arising during contract negotiations and recommends a viable resolution to internal management

• Provides accurate, detailed, and timely information with regards to business, legal, financial, and technical requirements to assist management in making informed business decisions

• Consults and advises senior management

• Determines and produces appropriate documents (e.g., non-disclosure agreements, trial agreements, letters of intent, agreements, schedules, BAAs etc.) as required

• Manage any legal disputes involving the hospital, working closely with outside counsel when necessary. Partner with Quality and Experience Department on management of grievances and disputes. Provide guidance on risk management and mitigation strategies.

• Conduct training sessions for staff on legal compliance, ethical issues, and best practices in healthcare law.

• Collaborate with hospital leadership to develop, implement, and review hospital policies and procedures that align with legal standards and best practices.

• Liaise with regulatory bodies, legal professionals, and other healthcare organizations to represent the hospital’s interests and ensure best practices.

• Acquisitions, Mergers, and Affiliations.

• Privacy laws and requirements.

• Quality and Compliance of the hospital.

• Risk management, Insurance.

• Malpractice.

• Tax issues.

• Municipal issues.

• Real estate.

• Employee matters pertaining to their employment with SHH.

• General Corporate matters.

• By-Laws, Board documents, Resolutions, etc.

• Supporting outside counsel on all matters they are assigned so we can develop internal capacity.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• Admission to the Connecticut Bar.

• At least 5 years of experience drafting, negotiating, managing and advising on matters related to contracts, including service agreements, license agreements and other transactional agreements.

• Must have familiarity with healthcare or privacy and security in relation to healthcare i.e. HIPAA Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with a focus on healthcare law or related fields. Experience or familiarity with behavioral health law is a plus.

• Strong knowledge of federal and state healthcare regulations, including mental health statutes.

• Experience with software solutions, software licensing, intellectual property, or healthcare privacy and security a plus.

• Business process outsourcing experience a plus.

• Certified in healthcare compliance a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to travel as required.

Silver Hill Hospital (“SHH”) is fully committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all present employees as well as for applicants in all phases of the employment process (recruitment, hiring, assignment, conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline and termination). Therefore, except in any cases of bona fide occupational qualification or need, SHH will act without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, past/present history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, physical or learning disability, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by applicable law, (unless it is shown by supervisory personnel that a disability prevents performance of the work involved or may result in undue hardship) in all aspects of the employment process and relationship. This policy is based on the understanding that an applicant is able to handle the job requirements. Employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities.