NAELA's CareerCenter

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Job Summary:

The Associate Risk Management Counsel, under the guidance of the Vice President, Risk Management, is responsible for effectively and efficiently providing general legal/risk management consultation and expertise on a wide range of matters for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Cedars-Sinai Medical Care Foundation and other identified affiliates, (collectively, "Cedars-Sinai,") with the ultimate objective of optimal legal and strategic advantage for Cedars-Sinai and controlling the number, severity and cost of losses for Cedars-Sinai. Guides management and leadership in recommendations from a Risk Management perspective, interpreting applicable laws and regulations as well as liability exposure, operational and policy matters as well as oversees/manages lawsuits and has an appropriate degree of independence in performing the duties and responsibilities based on experience and complexity of the project, and strives to carry out the essential position duties and responsibilities in a timely manner in response to client needs. Analyzes and interprets relevant law, advises on strategic, operational and policy matters, participates in enterprise risk management, oversees and actively manages professional liability and general liability lawsuits, and similar proceedings, and maintains an understanding of trends and forces shaping the healthcare industry in the context of legal requirements.

• Provides consultative support from a risk management perspective towards the design of policies and procedures of the Health System. Provides consultative support and oversight to any department requiring assistance in the design of CSHS consent forms and other forms that may have risk management implications.

• Investigates events representing potential liability for Cedars-Sinai by conducting personal interviews, on-site inspections, medical records and notification review and compiling a confidential Risk Management file.

• Takes "on-call" via phone consultation for the department.

• Assesses the merits of cases and, if appropriate, facilitates risk control to reduce losses by attempting to resolve Health System claims and potential compensatory events amicable and without litigation.

• Represents Cedars-Sinai at voluntary and mandatory settlement conferences with authority to settle claims with approval of the Director Risk Management. Oversees and manages defense counsel in assigned cases during the discovery process.

• Implements Risk Management education regarding liability issues to Health System staff and attending physicians

• Researches risk management and other liability issues and provides appropriate information at the request of any department of the Health System or the attending staff.

• Generates advisory opinions regarding risk management issues, such as consent, in order to effectively minimize risk and resultant financial losses.

• Supervises and directs the work assignments of Risk Management Counsels, junior attorneys, paralegals, support staff and outside counsel, as assigned. Mentors’ junior lawyers.

• Serves as the Risk Management’s DL representative for Cedars-Sinai initiatives, committees and task forces, based on expertise or experience, as requested.

• Interacts routinely with and supervises outside legal counsel, experts, and consultants.

• Keeps abreast of key developments in the risk management industry. Develops and maintains subject matter expertise in one or more substantive areas of law that routinely or material affect Cedars-Sinai operations.

• Participates in trial/mandatory and voluntary settlement conferences and as requested by assigned counsel or judge. Represents Risk Management Department on various committees and at SAE meetings. Provides clinical risk management/legal advice/assistance to the IRB for human research study subject consent issues.

• Develops internal Risk Management or multi-disciplinary work-teams to meet specific needs, and supervising outside counsel.

• Serves as primary point of contact for Cedars-Sinai departments or affiliates. Is responsible for meeting periodically with leadership of the department or affiliate, staying knowledgeable about medical/legal needs of the department or affiliate, assuring medical/legal needs are met by triaging work for the department or affiliate.

Education:

Doctorate Degree - Juris Doctorate Degree - Required Minimum

License/Certification:

Licensed Attorney - CA State Bar License - Required Minimum

Experience:

10 Years - Experience in Medical Malpractice - Required Minimum

Physical Demand:

Lifting, standing, walking