Job Description
The Executive Office of Veterans Services Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the primary support for regulatory and legal questions from the Massachusetts Veterans Homes. The MVH are required to be licensed by DPH, licensed by the federal VA, and certified by CMS.
The Healthcare Law Counsel will assist the General Counsel in ensuring that any questions regarding DPH, VA, and CMS regulations are answered in a thorough and expeditious manner. Healthcare Law Counsel will foster relationships with management at the MVH and provide guidance and advice on legal matters pertaining to the operations of the MVH. Healthcare Law Counsel will provide guidance and support for other aspects of EOVS veteran support programs which intersect with healthcare, behavioral health, peer to peer support or studies on veterans healthcare needs.
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Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advise agency staff on legal matters by interpreting laws, rules, regulations, judicial decisions, and opinions related to agency operations as they relate to healthcare law.
- Educate agency staff on the laws, rules and policies governing agency operations as they relate to healthcare law.
- Act as the primary legal contact for EOVS staff and programs to provide legal assistance and guidance to ensure that healthcare decisions across the Secretariat are made in an ethical manner in compliance with all applicable rules and policies.
- Proactively collaborate with all programs across EOVS and MVH.
- Respond to inquiries and act as the primary legal point of contact for healthcare decisions related to DPH, CMS and VA regulations.
- Confer with management, staff, and other stakeholders in order to provide feedback as necessary on decision-making.
- Develop and implement standards to ensure compliance with the law and efficient workflows.
- Remain educated on applicable laws and regulations.
- Provide legal advice to agency staff when resolving problems and determining appropriate actions.
- Review guidance decisions to ensure that all agency activities comply with applicable laws.
- Obtain information needed to represent the agency in dispute resolution by conducting research and analysis of applicable laws, statutes, and regulations, and by reviewing case files, case history and evidence submitted by opposing parties to understand the facts and issues and to determine the best course of action.
- Provide information to the public by answering inquiries regarding agency functions, services, rules, and procedures to accurately represent the agency.
- Draft new policies and regulations or amendments to existing policies and regulations, based on legal research and agency needs, to streamline agency practices, support operational efficiencies and ensure agency compliance with laws.
- Identify potential privacy concerns and confidentiality obligations and safeguard confidential information.
- Provide effective legal guidance to other EOVS or MVH staff on the application for privacy rules to confidential information.
- Consult with EOVS or MVH Privacy and Data Access Office where appropriate.
- Comply with all state and agency rules of conduct including applicable human resource, ethics and EOVS standards.
- Comply with all rules of professional responsibility.
- Participate in professional development programs to hone professional competency and support the professional development of other EOVS or MVH staff.
- Promote a professional, respectful, and non-discriminatory work environment.
- Collaborate with agency staff to identify and articulate policy goals.
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of law.
- Knowledge of the methods and ability to conduct legal research and technical report writing.
- Ability to read and interpret legal documents and apply the laws, rules and regulations governing agency operations.
- Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment.
- Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of people.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to clearly and concisely express thoughts and develop ideas in a logical manner.
- Ability to use a computer to conduct research, manage databases, and produce written documents.
- Ability to lead or work with cross-functional project teams.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and project teams.
- Ability to exercise discretion in safeguarding information through compliance with rules of disclosure.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to conduct training or instruction.
- Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates, and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining the need for and recommending disciplinary action.
- Proficient usage skills of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; experience capturing video content (e.g., iPhone) and utilizing virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.).
- Must be able to work independently and within the established hybrid tele-work policies of the Secretariat.
Qualifications Acquired on Job:
- Working knowledge of healthcare law.
- Understanding of the structure, organization, and mission of the Secretariat.
- Establishment of good working relationships with individuals inside the Secretariat and external to the Secretariat, so that duties and responsibilities can be carried out effectively and efficiently.
- Working knowledge of state and federal healthcare law and regulations
About the Executive Office of Veterans Services:
The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) is a state agency whose mission is to be the primary advocate for all veterans in the Commonwealth and provide them with quality support services. To accomplish this, EOVS administers an array of programs and services, such as a needs-based financial benefits program (Chapter 115), coordinating with Veteran Services Officers located in every community in the Commonwealth, which provides direct financial assistance and annuity benefits to veterans and eligible next of kin, funding to organizations offering homelessness, transitional housing, and outreach to veterans, connections to Massachusetts Career Center veteran employment services, operating two Massachusetts Veterans Homes (MVH) and two state Veterans cemeteries, and employing two unique and mission-critical outreach teams: The SAVE Suicide Prevention Team, and Women Veterans' Network. In addition, EOVS is the only representative for all state agencies and for individual veterans before the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs in securing federal compensation and other available benefits. The vision of the Executive Office of Veterans Services is to ensure that Massachusetts is a place where all veterans and their families have awareness of and access to the benefits and to the services earned, that they are respected for the service they have rendered and are able to live healthy and productive lives.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar and (A) at least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the practice of law.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment.
Pre-Offer Process:
For BU and MI-MIV
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.