Associate General Counsel Risk and Regulatory at Ensign Services

Ensign Services, Inc. (ESI) seeks an experienced Associate General Counsel to serve the needs of our rapidly expanding client base across the United States. This position will be based in our California Service Center and dedicated to supporting our California client facilities.

About the Company

ESI serves over 348 post-acute care operations across 14 states, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and other ancillary service providers. These operations have no corporate headquarters or traditional management hierarchy. Instead, they operate independently with support from the “Service Center,” a world-class service team that provides the centralized legal, human resource, training, accounting, information technology and other resources necessary to allow on-site leaders and caregivers to focus on day-to-day care and business issues in their operations.

About the Opportunity

The Associate General Counsel position provides legal advice and guidance to our client facilities in the areas of survey management and general and professional liability. The position will regularly educate field personnel in these areas of specialization. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Responsibilities

1. Being a culture leader who models and teaches our unique culture across the organization
2. Advises field personnel in the evaluation and application of regulatory issues and directives
3. Drafts, files and argues hearings and briefs before regulatory bodies in California and the U.S. Department of HHS Appeals Board
4. Works closely with client facilities in the investigation of regulatory findings and drafting IDR/IIDR for State and Federal submission
5. Performs pre-claim evaluation and investigation of pertinent facts and circumstances, to include medical records review, witness interviews and related activities
6. Participates in pre-suit mediations and negotiations
7. Partners with internal and external litigation counsel regarding case strategy
8. Represents/supports client facilities and facility employees in administrative or court proceedings, at deposition, or as otherwise requested
9. Provides advice and counsel on the application and interpretation of health care laws, Medicare/Medicaid regulations and related State and Federal laws governing the post-acute care setting
10. Communicates client facilities’ tactical and strategic needs to Service Center colleagues
11. Proactively helps client facilities manage a variety of legal risk issues as needed

Professional Qualifications

1. Minimum of four years’ experience, preferably in the field of professional negligence and/or elder abuse defense either as in-house counsel or in a law firm setting
2. Risk management experience is preferred
3. Experience in preparing and managing regulatory appeals
4. Experience in litigating general/professional negligence claims, including but not limited to discovery management, motion practice, and case evaluation
5. J.D. from an accredited institution; licensed to practice law in CA
6. Proven leadership and interpersonal skills, with a strong team orientation
7. Ability to give clear direction and produce outstanding results
8. Exceptional presentation, writing and communication skills
9. Professional demeanor and executive presence

Personal Characteristics

1. A servant-leader who thrives on providing excellent customer service in a high-energy and high-accountability environment
2. A disciplined and self-motivated professional with solid work habits
3. An all-around team player who views no task as too large or too small, and who is passionate about the organization, its mission and the people it serves
4. An active listener, who displays good judgment, inspires confidence and handles confidential matters with absolute discretion
5. A positive and energetic person with a great sense of humor and a strong desire to help others perform and grow

Additional Information:

For applicants in and around San Juan Capistrano / Orange County area, this is an in-office position. Expected Travel 40% of the time.

For applicants applying from the San Diego or NorCal area the role will be remote. Expected Travel 40% of the time.

Compensation

We are committed to providing a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes a salary range of between 160k - 200K (DOE) and may be eligible for bonus, medical/dental/vision coverage, company-provided life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and sick/vacation plans. We also believe in supporting our employee’s professional growth and development through our Learning Management System as well as training sessions and seminars.

Ensign Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment criminal background screening required.