General Counsel

Washington Emergency Care Physicians (WECP) is a physician-owned, democratic group providing the highest quality emergency care in the Pacific Northwest. We are looking for an experienced Attorney with healthcare quality experience to join our growing team as our General Counsel! This role will support WECP and its business units (OECP, SECP, TECP, CTACS).

What We Offer

Competitive salary & benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Annual salary of $150,000-$180,000
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D, and Short-Term Disability insurance are offered to employees at no cost, with the option to purchase additional coverage for dependents.
• Paid Time Off including vacation, holidays, & sick time
• Market leading retirement savings 401(k) + profit sharing potential
• Continuing education support

Schedule & Location

This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid work schedule.

Tacoma is the heart of the Puget Sound Metropolitan area.  The city itself rests on the shores of Commencement Bay and the Puget Sound and between the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges.  This allows for easy access to skiing, hiking, boating, fishing, and a multitude of other outdoor activities. Tacoma is within a few hours of some of the world’s best wineries.

Key Duties & Accountabilities

1. Corporate Governance & Compliance
   • Provide counsel on corporate governance matters, including advising on corporate governance documents and drafting and implementing policies related to governance and compliance.
   • Prepare Board and Committee materials and support Board meetings.
   • Monitor, evaluate, and advise on the impact of new and changing healthcare laws and regulations.
   • Ensure compliance with relevant federal and state healthcare and privacy laws (e.g., Stark, Anti-Kickback Statute, HIPAA, Privacy Act, state privacy laws).
2. Quality Program Leadership
   • Lead WECP’s Coordinated Quality Improvement Program and Committee in accordance with DOH standards.
   • Report to Board of Directors on program development and activities.
   • In partnership with Business Unit Quality Committees, review clinical cases to improve quality of care and mitigate compliance risk.
3. Contracting
   • Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, including employment agreements, payor contracts, vendor agreements, commercial leases, and professional services agreements.
   • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Growth, Finance, Clinical, HR, IT, etc.) to develop, maintain, and refine contract templates, playbooks, and negotiation processes.
   • Ensure contract terms align with business objectives while managing risk effectively.
   • Support contract lifecycle management and maintain processes for internal and external stakeholders.
4. Policy
   • Develop and advise on policy matters and compliance strategies related to healthcare operations, human resources, and risk management.
   • Lead efforts in healthcare policy advocacy, collaborating with external advisors to align with WECP’s mission and strategies.
5. Litigation & Dispute Management
   • Manage and coordinate with outside counsel on litigation matters, including commercial disputes, employment issues, medical malpractice, and regulatory investigations.
   • Oversee internal discovery processes, and manage witness interviews, subpoenas, litigation holds, and internal communications.
   • Advise on employment matters including disputes and investigations.
   • Handle disputes and inquiries related to reimbursement, credentialing and privileging, and healthcare provider licensure.
6. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
   • Support Board of Directors and Executives in shareholder and stakeholder engagement.
   • Communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to non-legal professionals.
   • Build strong relationships across the organization, fostering trust and effective collaboration.

Qualifications

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school; active bar admission in Washington State.

• Minimum of 5-7 years of legal experience with a law firm, corporate legal department, or government, with a strong preference for healthcare law expertise.
• In-house experience in healthcare organizations is strongly preferred.
• Experience in contract negotiation, corporate governance, and healthcare regulatory compliance.

• Strong knowledge of healthcare regulations, privacy laws, and compliance.
• Excellent analytical, consulting, and negotiation skills with a focus on healthcare law.
• Ability to work independently and handle high volumes of work with changing priorities.