Senior Operations Counsel & Director of Claims

at  Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

Job Summary:
The Senior Operations Counsel and Director of Claims for Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMHCS) has broad responsibility for identification, prevention, and mitigation of actual and potential claim risk to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System ("SMHCS"), including all facilities and providers across all campuses and locations, managing professional and general liability claims for the entire health care system. This lawyer will also advise on medical staff matters, including bylaws, medical staff disciplinary and corrective action, and peer review. Experienced in litigation, this senior lawyer must be creative, flexible, nimble, and capable of providing prescient legal insights and leadership regarding the healthcare legal environment. Primary responsibilities also include supporting SMHCS’s Legal Affairs Department, providing legal research, providing guidance on SMHCS policy refinement, leading subpoena and other legal requests processes, collaboration with clinical risk management and case management programs; advising on the legal aspects of patient care, including in areas of informed consent and patients’ rights issues; counseling on potential regulatory exposures; and collaborating with compliance, risk, quality and patient advocacy departments, as well as external governmental and regulatory agencies. This position is responsible for providing various methods of support and analysis to SMHCS in accordance with the mission, vision, and values of SMHCS. This confident, hands-on, and client-centered attorney will be given the unique opportunity of navigating the complexities of a distinguished and growing health care system.

Required Qualifications:

• Require five (5) to twenty (20) years of experience, with handling claims and litigation for integrated health care system(s).
• Require active membership to the Florida Bar.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prefer a candidate with forward thinking, creative and prescient legal mind.
• Prefer excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Prefer demonstrated ability to manage and direct claims from start to finish (potentially compensable events, claims, suits), coordinating insurance coverage, timely reporting, assessing liability, negotiating settlements, attending mediations and depositions, and working towards informed, prompt, and fair resolution in line with SMHCS’s Communication and Resolution Program (CRP), with best reserve setting practices and respectful people-centered communication with patients, patient representatives, and visitors in accordance with claims and litigation management guidelines.
• Prefer knowledge of regulatory codes, legal requirements and health care law issues impacting enterprise and practitioner risk.
• Prefer someone who is self-motivated and possesses the ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously.
• Prefer the ability to manage/handle stress while under pressure from many involved parties.
• Prefer the ability to interface with a variety of professionals, including medical staff and senior leadership, attorneys, finance, nursing leadership, etc.

Mandatory Education:
Juris Doctor
Work Days/Shift/Start Time:

Please refer the Job description for details