The Assistant General Counsel is responsible for providing guidance and advice to the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, senior management, other administrative departments, and company employees on a wide variety of matters including legal, regulatory compliance, risk management, policy, process, and best practices. The Assistant General Counsel serves as the Legal Department lead for real estate and facilities-related matters, healthcare and regulatory compliance counseling, and licensing and credentialing matters in coordination with Operations, Quality, Real Estate and other administrative departments. The Assistant General Counsel also provides direct or dotted line supervision to other attorneys and legal professionals in the Legal Department.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides advice and counsel to the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, senior management, Real Estate, Operations, Finance, Compliance, Quality, other administrative departments, and company employees on a range of legal, business, risk management, healthcare regulatory compliance, real estate/facilities, and corporate governance matters, as necessary. Representative duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Conducts research and provides advice related to compliance with state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, healthcare laws, HIPAA and other privacy and security laws and regulations, federal and state (Massachusetts and Connecticut) funder regulations, and regulatory inquiries or matters involving agencies such as the Attorney General, OCR, OSHA, OIG, and other regulators, as applicable.
  • Serves as counsel for real estate and facilities-related matters, including obtaining zoning and municipal approvals, HUD-related issues, landlord/tenant issues, and facility-related compliance requirements.
  • Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts and other agreements, as assigned, including residential and commercial leases, 3^rd party payor agreements, provider agreements, merger and acquisition agreements, and affiliation agreements. 
  • Conducts research and provides advice related to business issues, including potential new business ventures, state and federal grant matters, mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, partnerships, due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiation of related agreements, and related regulatory approval processes.
  • Addresses general corporate matters as assigned, including corporate governance matters for all Vinfen affiliated entities.
  • Oversees litigation matters as assigned, including coordination with outside counsel to pursue client evictions when needed.
  • Conducts research and provides advice regarding mental health law issues, including but not limited to confidentiality, guardianship and representative payee issues; interfacing with law enforcement and/or the civil and criminal justice systems regarding same.
  • Supports or oversees directed investigations as assigned, including internal quality, operational, regulatory, or employee relations concerns.
  • Drafts and edits Vinfen policies and procedures and other company policies, procedures and best practices, as necessary.
  • Addresses risk management issues related to assigned healthcare regulatory, real estate/facilities, licensing, credentialing, transactional, and operational matters, and supports insurance-related matters as assigned.
• Prepares and delivers training to management personnel on legal topics (e.g., healthcare regulatory requirements, mental health law, privacy matters, real estate/facilities requirements, licensing and credentialing requirements, and other assigned legal topics). Develops ongoing training to inform managers of updates and key changes in relevant laws and regulations.
• Supports administration of information to general and professional liability insurers regarding insurance claims under company policies and interfaces with insurance broker regarding property-related claims and risk management matters as assigned.
• Provides direct or dotted-line supervision, legal work direction, and performance input to the attorneys and legal professionals in the Legal Department.
• Complies with internal and external documentation and reporting requirements.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of some or all the following legal areas is desired:
  • Mental Health/Health Care/HIPAA (including privacy and security legal frameworks)
  • Real Estate
  • Contracting (development and drafting, reviewing and revising, negotiation)
  • Corporate Governance
  • Litigation
  • Mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, due diligence, and related regulatory approvals
  • Healthcare regulatory compliance, licensing and credentialing, and real estate/facilities compliance
• Ability to negotiate and solve problems.
• Ability to facilitate and conduct education/training sessions
• Leadership skills and experience
• Ability to provide direct or dotted-line supervision, work direction, and performance input for legal staff
• Organizational and analytical skills
• Excellent and proven verbal and written presentation and communication skills
• Ability to make sound judgments and decisions efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Ability to balance many competing priorities.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
• Knowledge of Vinfen services, organization and management practices a plus

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Driving Requirements:

Driving is not required.

Physical Effort:

Ability to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed. Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand and move around the facility. Ability to speak, hear and communicate with clients, staff and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Required Certifications/Trainings:

N/A

Required Credentials/Licenses:

Admission to MA bar required