Houston Methodist
Senior Risk Attorney - Operations - Hybrid
Houston Methodist, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Overview
Senior Risk Attorney - Operations - Hybrid role at Houston Methodist. This position is responsible for risk, claims, and litigation management involving high-exposure and high-profile matters. The role provides guidance to internal clients and acts as the organization’s corporate representative in litigation and claims management, with the aim to prevent, mitigate, and eliminate asset losses. The role also provides operational guidance on risk-related matters and engages with management-level clients to achieve measurable outcomes.
Responsibilities
People Essential Functions
Provides clients with risk-focused legal advice in a manner advantageous to effective change management practices.
Provides supportive, goal-driven guidance to HM employees through legal proceedings. Assumes responsibility for legal proceedings involving executive leadership.
Engages with business partners, internal clients, outside law firms, and vendors to ensure financially sound, timely, and successful outcomes.
Service Essential Functions
Investigates events with focus on legal, risk, and reputational implications; evaluates exposures with high-priority events and consistent outcomes.
Generates and maintains claims and litigation files that are thorough, concise, and accurate for management review.
Communicates legal analysis and recommends claims and litigation strategy to enhance system-wide operations.
Assists management in generating reports and discusses findings with analytical legal perspectives.
Oversees and assists outside counsel or third parties in litigation matters, including management of subpoenas, scheduling, discovery/production, witness meetings, depositions, and internal relations.
Quality/Safety Essential Functions
Identifies opportunities to eliminate or mitigate risks and communicates with leadership to drive change, applying HM's risk management principles.
Seeks creative efficiency in the department and collaborates with others to achieve successful outcomes.
Under direction, oversees outside counsel in alignment with HM's strategic plan and manages litigation toward cost-effective outcomes and protection of organizational values.
Finance Essential Functions
Evaluates the merits of matters and recommends prudent indemnity and reserves. Prepares memos to secure financial or trial authority with clarity for management review.
Engages with outside law firms and vendors judiciously to ensure high-quality legal services.
Growth/Innovation Essential Functions
Identifies and utilizes resources to accomplish multiple high-priority tasks efficiently.
Maintains knowledge of state and federal litigation trends and educates colleagues and stakeholders as needed.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as needs arise. Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
Work Experience
Five years' experience at a law firm as an attorney focused on a docket primarily comprised of medical malpractice or personal injury OR three years' experience as an in-house risk attorney or similar position
Experience as a licensed Physician Assistant (PA), Registered Nurse (RN), or Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) preferred
Licenses and Certifications – Required
ATT-JD - Attorney - State Bar – Member of the Texas State Bar in good standing within 6 months
Licenses and Certifications – Preferred
PA - Physician Assistant - State Licensure OR
RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure (Compact Licensure) – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days if establishing Texas residency OR
RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner - State Licensure OR
CRT - Certified Respiratory Therapist (NBRC)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, with ongoing assessments.
Proficient in English (speaking, reading, writing) to perform essential functions, especially regarding safety or security.
Ability to communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers with customer-service focus.
Analytical ability to process large data sets, discern complex legal-risk issues, and recommend practical business solutions to avoid litigation.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to remain composed in difficult situations.
Ability to support change management initiatives within business units.
Analytical decision-making aligned with HM's values and risk management strategy.
Plan and execute accurate claim evaluations.
Knowledge of case law, statutes, and trends related to medical malpractice; ability to solve novel complex issues.
Independent and creative problem-solving skills; experience directing outside counsel to manage reserves prudently.
Working knowledge of hospital operations in the U.S.
Supplemental Requirements
WORK ATTIRE: Business professional
ON-CALL: Yes
TRAVEL: May require travel within or outside the Houston Metropolitan area
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
People Essential Functions
Provides clients with risk-focused legal advice in a manner advantageous to effective change management practices.
Provides supportive, goal-driven guidance to HM employees through legal proceedings. Assumes responsibility for legal proceedings involving executive leadership.
Engages with business partners, internal clients, outside law firms, and vendors to ensure financially sound, timely, and successful outcomes.
Service Essential Functions
Investigates events with focus on legal, risk, and reputational implications; evaluates exposures with high-priority events and consistent outcomes.
Generates and maintains claims and litigation files that are thorough, concise, and accurate for management review.
Communicates legal analysis and recommends claims and litigation strategy to enhance system-wide operations.
Assists management in generating reports and discusses findings with analytical legal perspectives.
Oversees and assists outside counsel or third parties in litigation matters, including management of subpoenas, scheduling, discovery/production, witness meetings, depositions, and internal relations.
Quality/Safety Essential Functions
Identifies opportunities to eliminate or mitigate risks and communicates with leadership to drive change, applying HM's risk management principles.
Seeks creative efficiency in the department and collaborates with others to achieve successful outcomes.
Under direction, oversees outside counsel in alignment with HM's strategic plan and manages litigation toward cost-effective outcomes and protection of organizational values.
Finance Essential Functions
Evaluates the merits of matters and recommends prudent indemnity and reserves. Prepares memos to secure financial or trial authority with clarity for management review.
Engages with outside law firms and vendors judiciously to ensure high-quality legal services.
Growth/Innovation Essential Functions
Identifies and utilizes resources to accomplish multiple high-priority tasks efficiently.
Maintains knowledge of state and federal litigation trends and educates colleagues and stakeholders as needed.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as needs arise. Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
Work Experience
Five years' experience at a law firm as an attorney focused on a docket primarily comprised of medical malpractice or personal injury OR three years' experience as an in-house risk attorney or similar position
Experience as a licensed Physician Assistant (PA), Registered Nurse (RN), or Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) preferred
Licenses and Certifications – Required
ATT-JD - Attorney - State Bar – Member of the Texas State Bar in good standing within 6 months
Licenses and Certifications – Preferred
PA - Physician Assistant - State Licensure OR
RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure (Compact Licensure) – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days if establishing Texas residency OR
RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner - State Licensure OR
CRT - Certified Respiratory Therapist (NBRC)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, with ongoing assessments.
Proficient in English (speaking, reading, writing) to perform essential functions, especially regarding safety or security.
Ability to communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers with customer-service focus.
Analytical ability to process large data sets, discern complex legal-risk issues, and recommend practical business solutions to avoid litigation.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to remain composed in difficult situations.
Ability to support change management initiatives within business units.
Analytical decision-making aligned with HM's values and risk management strategy.
Plan and execute accurate claim evaluations.
Knowledge of case law, statutes, and trends related to medical malpractice; ability to solve novel complex issues.
Independent and creative problem-solving skills; experience directing outside counsel to manage reserves prudently.
Working knowledge of hospital operations in the U.S.
Supplemental Requirements
WORK ATTIRE: Business professional
ON-CALL: Yes
TRAVEL: May require travel within or outside the Houston Metropolitan area
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr