General Counsel

In-House General Counsel

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to Primary Health Solutions (PHS), an HRSA-funded Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This role provides strategic counsel to leadership, mitigates legal and regulatory risk, develops organizational policies, and ensures compliance across all areas of healthcare operations.

The position also encompasses responsibilities traditionally performed by Corporate Counsel, including contract drafting, regulatory research, compliance audits, and legal support for organizational initiatives. The General Counsel collaborates with internal stakeholders, external partners, and outside counsel when necessary.

This role models PHS values and supports a culture of servant leadership while upholding the legal and ethical integrity of the organization.

A Day in the Life

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

• Serve as the primary legal expert for HRSA requirements, FTCA coverage, 340B program compliance, HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2, Medicare/Medicaid regulations, and federal and state healthcare laws.

• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, and training.

• Conduct compliance audits, support responses to audits and regulatory site visits.

• Advise on fraud, waste, and abuse laws, privacy regulations, and other healthcare compliance matters.

Contracting & Legal Document Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts including provider agreements, vendor agreements, business associate agreements, real estate documents, grant agreements, and MOUs.

• Review and develop internal legal forms and correspondence.

• Maintain contract templates and ensure legal consistency across documents.

• Support document retention and management of corporate records.

Employment & Labor Legal Support

• Provide guidance on employment law, HR policies, workplace investigations, ADA accommodations, and disciplinary or termination matters.

• Conduct legal research on employment, privacy, and tax issues as needed.

Governance & Board Support

• Advise the Board of Directors on governance best practices, bylaws, fiduciary responsibilities, and conflicts of interest.

• Prepare legal updates and support board and committee meetings.

Risk Mitigation & Litigation Management

• Identify organizational risks and develop mitigation strategies.

• Coordinate with outside counsel on litigation or specialized legal matters.

• Provide legal support for credentialing, privileging, malpractice concerns, and FTCA deeming/redeeming applications.

Organizational Strategy & Operational Support

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Executive Team, and department leaders on legal, strategic, and business matters.

• Support initiatives such as acquisitions, partnerships, compliance programs, and grant writing.

• Assist with Medical-Legal Partnership implementation.

• Engage in required PHS trainings and organizational meetings.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Problem Solving: Ability to evaluate complex legal and regulatory issues, identify risks, and develop practical, innovative solutions.

• Strategic Thinking: Provides forward-looking legal guidance aligned with organizational goals.

• Ethical Judgment: Demonstrates integrity, sound judgment, and adherence to professional ethics.

• Decision Making: Makes informed and timely legal recommendations under various conditions.

• Communication: Communicates effectively in writing and verbally; able to convey complex information clearly.

• Dependability: Meets commitments, works independently, adapts to change, and maintains professionalism under pressure.

• Quality & Accuracy: Demonstrates attention to detail and commitment to excellence.

• Productivity: Manages workload effectively, prioritizes tasks, and uses time efficiently.

Requirements

Success Requirements/Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• Active license to practice law in the State of Ohio (or ability to obtain).

• Minimum 5–7 years of legal experience; healthcare, nonprofit, or FQHC experience preferred.

• Experience with healthcare regulatory compliance strongly preferred.

• Proficiency in legal research tools.

• Not listed on the OIG or SAM excluded parties' lists.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret legal documents, policies, regulations, and manuals. Ability to write reports, correspondence, policies, and legal summaries. Ability to speak effectively with leadership, staff, and external partners.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve complex problems, interpret diverse information, and apply sound judgment to situations with limited standardization.

Computer Skills

Proficiency with electronic medical record systems, practice management systems, Microsoft Office, legal research platforms, secure communication systems, internet, and intranet tools.

Physical Demands

Must be able to stand, walk, sit, use hands, hear, and speak. Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs. Vision requirements include close and distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work performed primarily in an office setting with moderate noise levels. Occasional travel between PHS sites may be required.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

It is the policy of Primary Health Solutions to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.