Associate Counsel, Hospital Operations

Medical University of South Carolina; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 140,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Health, via MUHA, seeks an experienced Senior Associate Counsel to provide legal services for MUHA hospitals and affiliates. The role includes drafting, negotiating, and reviewing contracts, advising executive leadership, and ensuring legal compliance across health care operations.

The position requires a J.D., SC bar admission or eligibility, and strong knowledge of federal/state healthcare laws.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school required.
• Admission to practice law in South Carolina, or eligibility within 12 months.
• Knowledge of federal and state healthcare laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Prepares new contracts and reviews existing or proposed contracts and vendor arrangements.
• Reviews contracts in an electronic system and provides advice as appropriate.
• Drafts, negotiates, and reviews legal documents including contracts, services, consultants, and employment contracts.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Healthcare law

Regulatory compliance

Legal research

Policy analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bar admission in SC or eligible

Tools

Contract management system

Job description

Job Description Summary In coordination with the General Counsel for MUSC Health, the Senior Associate Counsel is responsible for legal services pertaining to the MUHA hospitals and its affiliates. Assists in protecting an organization's legal interest and maintaining its operations within the scope established by law. Provides hands-on counsel to all levels of executive staff and manages the operations of legal department. Identifies and analyzes legal issues, drafts key documents, presents clear recommendations to top management, and assures legal compliance. May manage attorneys in several legal specializations including tax, litigation, acquisitions, IP, etc. Entity Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA) Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Cost Center CC002328 SYS - Legal Affairs Pay Rate Type Salary Pay Grade Health-36 Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Work Shift

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepares new contracts and reviews existing or proposed contracts and vendor arrangements.
• Using electronic contracts management system, reviews contracts in a timely fashion and provides advice as appropriate.
• Drafts, negotiates and reviews legal document contracts, services, consultant and employment contracts in a timely fashion.
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Managed Care on hospital payor agreements.
• Interprets or otherwise obtains interpretation of federal and state laws affecting the Authority; provides complex analysis of federal and state laws and regulations regarding health care related issues.
• Demonstrates familiarity with Authority Bylaws, policies and procedures; proficiency with state and federal laws including fraud and abuse laws and regulations, Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation, coverage and reimbursement issues, 340(B) requirements, HIPAA and privacy requirements, EMTALA, Joint Commission standards, and state law rules and regulations; establishes a good working relationship with concerned agencies, including but not limited to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Boards.
• Assists management with clinical and patient care issues.
• Evaluates patient/family social issues as they are brought forward and provides sound advice in a timely fashion; provides advice regarding consents, involuntary commitments, guardianships, guardian ad litem, and probate matters.
• Participates in legal and/or administrative proceedings concerning the Authority.
• Serves as an agent to accept, review and notify of employees of subpoenas, depositions and hearings.
• Coordinates depositions as needed and produces records and documents as required.
• Other duties as assigned.
• As a member of the MUSC Office of General Counsel, provide guidance on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in the State of South Carolina, or eligible to practice in the State of South Carolina within twelve (12) months.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and codes pertaining to healthcare laws, rules and regulations.
• Proficient in drafting, negotiating, and reviewing legal documents.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to be persuasive with other leaders across teams, positively influencing and supporting the mission of the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment.
• High degree of client service, professional ethics, and integrity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 to 5 years' experience practicing law with a focus on healthcare law.
• Experience in a higher education, healthcare, or government setting.

Additional Job Description Minimum Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate from accredited school of law; License to practice law in state of South Carolina, and three to five years' experience practicing law with a focus on healthcare law.

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us! There are career opportunities available in academics, research, hospital medicine, physician practices and support services, from patient billing to IT. MUSC attracts more than $250 million annually in research funding, making it the biggest magnet for biomedical, extramural research dollars of all institutions of higher learning in South Carolina.

"U.S. News & World Report" placed us among the top one percent of all American hospitals, with 11 specialties in the top 50. The MUSC Medical Center is also one of only three Magnet designated hospitals in South Carolina.

The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program aims to advance clinical and translational science to increase the speed at which new treatments become available to patients. MUSC Health, the clinical enterprise, operates a 750 bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (one of fewer than 70 elite National Cancer Institute designated centers), a Level I Trauma Center and the Institute of Psychiatry. In addition, there are more than 100 outreach clinics, hospital/health system affiliations, and telehealth sites.