General Counsel

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include a wide range of duties including some or all of the following: the following. Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

General
Responsible for direct management of the Compliance and Legal Team
Assigning Clear Task and Objectives
Establishing KPI measurables for monitoring results versus objectives
Responsible for the development and engagement of the Legal and Compliance team members by creating a motivating work environment that recognizes and rewards strong performance.
Required to travel to various GHG locations (MI, IL, and PA) periodically for audit activities, presentations, education or investigations, as needed.
Compliance
Reports to the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership and Compliance Committee(s) of GHG’s hospital joint venture partners on compliance-related matters, initiatives and improvements/changes in the overall compliance program at least quarterly.
Maintains control of all corporate policies, procedures and practices for the general operation of GHG and its related activities to prevent illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.
Oversees periodic reviews and updates of GHG’s corporate policies and Code of Conduct to ensure continuing currency and relevance in providing guidance to management and employees.
Collaborates with other departments to direct compliance issues to appropriate existing channels for investigation and resolution.
Responds to alleged violations of rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and codes of conduct by evaluating and/or recommending the initiation of investigative procedures.
Develops and oversees a system for uniform handling of such violations.
Collaborates with GHG leadership to conduct an annual compliance risk assessment and internal audit plan based on Office of Inspector General recommendations.
Through the execution of routine internal audits, identifies potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; develops/implements corrective action plans for the resolution of problematic issues, and provides general guidance to GHG management and employees on how to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future.
Ensures proper reporting of violations or potential violations to duly authorized enforcement agencies (i.e. Office of Civil Rights) as appropriate and/or required.
Establishes and provides direction and management of GHG’s compliance hotline. Monitors a log/tracking systems for all confidential disclosures through the hotline.
Institutes and maintains an effective compliance communication and training program for GHG, including promoting (a) use of the compliance hotline, (b) heightened awareness of GHG’s policies, procedures and code of conduct, and (c) understanding of new and existing compliance issues and related policies and procedures.
Works with the GHG Human Resources, education, and others as appropriate to develop an effective compliance training program, including appropriate introductory training for new employees, as well as ongoing training for all employees and managers.
Provides education and training about actual, proposed or pending legislation and regulations that affect operations, compliance or accreditation.
Partners with the VP of Revenue Cycle on maintaining and communicating knowledge of payor claim submission guidelines and coverage requirements through routine education of employees on such guidelines and requirements.
Oversees the resolution and fulfillment of ADR requests and proposes policy changes within Revenue Cycle and Operations as a result of Audit denials.
Responsible for monitoring all OASIS and HIS submissions.
Keeps executive leadership abreast of newly identified potential compliance issues and ongoing investigations.
Serves as a resource and consultant to agency administrators and operations leadership on ACHC standard and ACHC survey prep.
Provides oversight and direction of GHG’s Privacy and Safety program.
Collaborates with the Privacy Officer and IT Security Manager on the investigation and/or resolution of all privacy related complaints.
Legal
Prepares, negotiates, and/or reviews drafts of various contractual documents including, but not limited to: subcontract agreements, master service agreements, staffing agreements, non compete agreements, vendor contracts, medical director agreements, leases, licenses, purchase and sale agreements, and business associate agreements. 
Reviews all existing contracts for business or legal risks and suggest changes or facilitate re-negotiations, as indicated on behalf of the Company.  
Oversees all company contracts, contract maintenance and contract renewals.
Defends the company against lawsuit claims.
Drafts and negotiates purchase agreements related to M&A and Joint Venture transactions.  
Prepares and files various documents with State and Federal agencies, including Articles of Incorporation, Assumed Names, Certificates of Good Standing, Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks. Participate in document compilation needed in corporate transactions.
Interprets and advises all levels of management on legal matters, legal issues, governmental regulations and policies.
Advises on employment-related legal activities such as policies, employment claims, litigation and general employment law issues.
Engages with and maintains positive working relationship with various outside counsel agencies.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Maintains a high degree of credibility, independence, integrity and trust.
Strong Communication and and leadership skills are essential.
Demonstrates sound business judgement and is supportive of GHG’s mission and objectives.
Able to command respect of Senior Management team, board level committees and other members of the Compliance and Legal team.
Strives to develop partnerships, teamwork, and good working relationships. Maintains an open management style.
Understands the complexities of a large organization. Involves others appropriately in consultations and decisions.
Understands the legal regulatory framework of the entity.
Exhibits good presentation skills with large and small audiences.
Able to operate successfully in a constantly changing, fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated initiative, self-motivation, practical learning skills, enthusiasm, and ability to complete multiple tasks in a timely and acute manner.
Maintains a current working knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations impacting the home health and hospice industry; HIPAA, ACHC standards; Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation.
Education and/or Experience
Legal Degree (JD) from an ABA accredited law school
Active Bar memberships and license to practive law in the state of Michigan
Preferred BS degree in Nursing, Masters desired with a valid RN state license
A minimum of ten years experience in a Health Care Organization, Home Health and Hospice specific experience preferred.
A minimum of ten years experience as an attorney in a law firm or corporate environment and/or compliance officer.
Significant exposure to ACHC, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and regulations, Stark Law, Anti-Kick Back Laws and Fraud and Abuse Laws.
Exposure or experience with employment law and regulations such as ACA, ERISA, FLSA, FMLA, and EEO.
Experience with planning and executing risk assessments and internal audits.
CHC, CHPC, and/or CPCO certification.
Working knowledge of Homecare Homebase EMR preferred.