Senior Associate General Counsel I

20 Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Inc.; Gainestown (AL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeast Georgia Health System is seeking a Senior Associate General Counsel I to provide sophisticated legal advice to NGHS and its affiliates. The role covers health system support, physician contracting, corporate and regulatory matters, and complex contracts.

Ideal candidates have a law license (GA) within 6 months, a JD, and at least eight years of experience in law firms or in-house. Strong drafting, negotiation and analytical skills are essential for leadership in a high‑performing team.

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law (Georgia license or ability to obtain within six months).
• Juris Doctor degree.
• At least eight years of relevant experience in a law firm or in-house.

Responsibilities

• Negotiates, reviews, drafts and interprets contracts, with emphasis on hospital‑physician relationships.
• Represents NGHS in licensure applications, regulatory compliance and network development.
• Negotiates settlements of claims and/or litigation with outside counsel guidance.
• Researches and drafts memoranda, opinions and correspondence on legal issues.
• Oversees outside counsel and ensures quality of their work.
• Directs the Legal Department activities in alignment with NGHS values.

Skills

Health law

Contract drafting

Regulatory compliance

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Job Category: Legal / Compliance Work Shift/Schedule: 8 Hr Morning - Afternoon

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role

Senior Associate General Counsel I is responsible for the provision of legal advice and services to Northeast Georgia Health System (“NGHS”) and its affiliates under the supervision of the Chief Legal Officer or his/her designee, such as the Deputy General Counsel. This role provides sophisticated legal advice and counsel on, without limitation, matters related to support of the health system, clinically integrated networks, accountable care organizations, and similar or related entities; physician contracting, including negotiation and drafting of clinical professional services agreements; physician recruitment; physician employment; business and non-physician contracting; corporate, commercial, physician and business transactions; loans and financing transactions; the formation, operation and dissolution of joint ventures and other business organizations; physician practice acquisitions; legal/regulatory and compliance; and licensure, certification and accreditation.

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.
• Minimum Experience: At least eight (8) years’ of relevant experience in a law firm practice and/or in-house

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.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.
• Innovative thinking that adds value for clients and finds creative solutions to complex legal issues.
• 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 federal and state laws relating to healthcare, including but not limited to Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, HIPAA, AKS, self-referral prohibitions, privacy, security, and fraud and abuse.
• Experience in managing, drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex contracts.
• 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.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Assists in the handling of administrative and legal proceedings before federal and state agencies and courts.
• Negotiates, reviews, drafts and interprets contracts, with an emphasis on hospital-physician relationships.
• Represents NGHS in licensure applications, material modifications, regulatory compliance, network provider contracting and network development.
• Negotiates and drafts the settlement of claims and/or litigation.
• Researches and drafts memoranda, opinions and correspondence on legal issues.
• Assures effective implementation of the contract management system 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 Legal Department as requested by Chief Legal Officer.
• Directs, manages and works collaboratively with the paralegals, executive coordinators, and other non-attorney staff assigned to work regularly or on specific projects with the Chief Legal Officer consistent with NGHS Values.
• Expertly analyzes and applies state and federal licensure laws related to health care entities and licensed health care professionals, including fraud and abuse laws, including without limitation licensing, Anti Kickback Statute (AKS), Stark Law, Medicare and Medicaid requirements.
• Serves on committees and assists in the formulation and implementation of policies and practices.
• Participates in corporate compliance investigations.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer.

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

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do.

Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through five hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest – with a total of more than 850 beds and more than 1,200 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties.

Learn more at www.nghs.com.