To protect the health and well-being of our members, employees and community, CareOregon requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exception as a qualification of employment.

Candidates who receive an offer of employment by CareOregon, must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit a medical or religious exception request, which will be evaluated in accordance with CareOregon’s standard accommodation process.

Position Title: Associate Counsel

Department: Legal Affairs

Title of Manager: Director, Legal Affairs

Supervises: Supervises: Non-Supervisory Position

Exemption Status: Exempt

Requisition ID: 19134

Job Summary

The Associate Counsel is responsible for providing guidance and support on legal issues for the organization, including a technical focus on litigation or contracting. This position serves as a core resource for the Legal Affairs team to ensure legal matters within CareOregon and affiliated entities are monitored, managed, and handled in a timely and effective manner.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serve as point of contact for internal questions or issues related to local, state or federal laws or regulations in one of the following areas of focus:

Litigation

• Triage, research, advise, and respond to internal inquiries.
• Oversee responses to external inquiries, including any subpoenas, requests for production, or court orders.
• Coordinate with outside counsel, as necessary, for matters related to litigation, arbitration, mediation, or other authorized matters of importance.
• Advise on, monitor, and/or resolve CareOregon’s and its affiliated entities’ legal disputes, keeping the Director of Legal Affairs updated on progress.

Contracts and Operations

• Develop, draft, review, and/or advise on all contracting needs of the organization.
• Work closely with the Provider Contracting and Value-Based Payment team and serve as their dedicated legal resource; may also serve other areas of the company to provide guidance on questions of law, regulatory requirements, and legal risk.
• Assist and advise business leaders in contract related negotiations, workgroups, and committees with external entities.
• Effectively utilize contract management software.
• Support the development of contracting best practices and dissemination of those practices across contracting staff; lead and contribute to contract management process improvement initiatives.

• Apply general legal knowledge in the following areas: Federal and state health care laws and regulations (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, licensure, accreditation, general and malpractice liability, medical staff, patient care law, behavioral health, guardianships, etc.), corporate law, taxation, real estate, labor and employment, antitrust, insurance, commercial and finance; assist in other areas as needed.
• Provide sound legal solutions to a wide range of issues faced by CareOregon and its affiliated entities, and develop recommendations and solutions that are thorough, practical, and consistent with CareOregon’s mission and obligations.
• Assess and mitigate legal risk, and provide timely, concise briefings to the Director of Legal Affairs, and, upon request, Executive Leadership about any identified business exposure and associated risks.
• Remain abreast of relevant legislative, regulatory and legal developments that impact CareOregon and its affiliated entities.
• Assist with the development of internal policies and self-serve legal resources for staff; develop and facilitate staff trainings as applicable and necessary.
• Work closely with CareOregon’s compliance staff to ensure that subpoenas, record requests and other legal requests received by CareOregon are reviewed and communicated to necessary staff; monitor and follow up to ensure that responses are submitted timely.
• Work closely with government affairs staff to analyze new statutes and regulations to determine the operational impact and ensure compliance and proper implementation.
• Maintain all detailed support materials in a highly organized way.
• Participate in and manage special projects and activities as requested.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Perform work in alignment with the organization’s mission, vision and values.
• Support the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by fostering a culture of open mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion and respect for all individuals.
• Strive to meet annual business goals in support the organization’s strategic goals.
• Adhere to the organization’s policies, procedures and other relevant compliance needs.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn state and federal managed care program requirements, including Oregon Health Plan and Medicare health care laws and regulations
• Understanding of the operational impact of business and legal decisions
• Knowledge in area of focus (litigation or contract law)
• Ability to independently handle unique, sensitive and moderately complex legal matters, with minimal supervision and oversight
• Ability to apply legal knowledge, analysis and judgment to address moderately complex legal problems arising in the organization
• Ability to draft contract language and to translate policy changes into contractual terms
• Ability to obtain and retain knowledge of:

• Excellent communication, consensus building and customer service skills
• Ability to coordinate and communicate with a variety of contract parties and stakeholders
• Excellent organizational, research and writing skills
• Ability to work in a proactive manner with OHA and CMS
• Ability to effectively coordinate and manage projects and negotiate favorable outcomes
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work in an environment with diverse individuals and groups
• Ability to be proficient in the use of word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Ability to work in an environment with diverse individuals and groups

Physical Skills and Abilities Required

Cognitive and Other Skills and Abilities Required

Ability to focus on and comprehend information, learn new skills and abilities, assess a situation and seek or determine appropriate resolution, accept managerial direction and feedback, and tolerate and manage stress.

Education and/or Experience

Required:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school
• Minimum 4 years’ legal experience

Preferred:

• Experience focused on healthcare transactional and healthcare operational advising
• Experience working directly with Medicare or Medicaid regulations and compliance, laws, and statues

Working Conditions

• Environment: This position’s primary responsibilities typically take place in the following environment(s) (check all that apply on a regular basis):

• Inside/office Clinics/health facilities Member homes

• Other_________________________________________

• Travel: This position may include occasional required or optional travel outside of the workplace, in which the employee’s personal vehicle, local transit, or other means of transportation may be used.
• Equipment: General office equipment
• Hazards: n/a

Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. CareOregon is committed to building a linguistically and culturally diverse and inclusive work environment

Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal opportunity employer. This company considers all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.