Assistant Counsel, Corporate Contracting at Yale New Haven Health in New Haven, Connecticut

Job Description:

Overview

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel in the Legal and Risk Services Department (LSRD) with a dotted line to Executive Director of Corporate Supply Chain (CSC), this position is responsible for being the acting counsel for Supply Chain matters and acting as legal liaison between Corporate Supply Chain and YNHHS Legal & Risk Services (LRSD).

The position will provide support to CSC leadership for day-today operations and special projects as well as assistance to CSC's Corporate Contracting team, as needed, for any vendor contracts or changes to YNHHS contract templates and lead preliminary negotiations to achieve agreement between parties that are within the parameters established by LRSD.

Supply Chain Counsel is responsible for leading contract negotiations for all special projects and all non-traditional Supply Chain contracts including, but not limited to Consulting, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Equipment and Product Evaluation Agreements, GPO Contract review and assessment, Northeast Purchasing Coalition (NPC) Contract review and assessment and Supply Chain Affiliate Contracts.

Responsible to educate and assist YNHHS Corporate Contracting staff and CSC team in understanding all contract terms and conditions. The position also trains staff to understand the alternate view (argument) provided by the vendor.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

Responsibilities

• 1.Working with LRSD, CSC leadership and Corporate Contracting, senior clinical and administrative leadership at all YNHHS entities, this position provides day-to-day support for contracts and general legal matters involving CSC. Counsel will draft and negotiate complex transaction agreements, and handle a wide array of other commercial issues that arise from the day-to-day operations of the entire health system. This position shall provide legal support to protect the best interests of the YNHHS, as well as its integrity, reputation, assets, officers and employees, while ensuring that the CSC operates in compliance with the applicable regulations.


• 2.Assist as needed in the Capital Equipment negotiation and acquisition contracting process for all entities of YNHHS.


• 3.Must be able to maintain a high tolerance for the changing environments and differing cultures at each site and be able to incorporate those site-specific changes and ambiguities into the overall project contract negotiation and implementation plan for the system as a whole, redirecting the project as needed.


• 4.Responsible for developing a formal policies or procedures for compliance and process-improvement as such relates to contracting and regulatory or financial compliance.


• 5.Follow all Corporate Compliance guidelines and Patient Confidentiality guidelines. Maintains the confidentiality of pricing among vendors and other outside parties.


• 6.Maintain confidentiality of CSC leadership and working groups involving sensitive information.


• 7.With the oversight of the Manager, Corporate Contracting leads the "Contracts" training and education for Contracts staff, Procurement staff, "end-user" managers and vendors. The training includes, but is not limited to Supply Chain templates (RFP, Contract, Purchasing Agreement, Compliance Addendum, Business Associates Agreement), legal terms, risk assessment and risk allocation.


• 8.Additional liaison responsibilities include:
  a. Lead the preliminary review of any changes to YNHHS Corporate Contract and Vendor Contract templates related to the purchase of supplies and services.
  b. Propose alternative contract language in response to the preliminary review and communicate directly with appropriate parties such as YNHHS Supply Chain Management team, Corporate Contracts team or Vendor as needed.
  c. Meet with vendors in person or via conference call, to negotiate on behalf of YNHHS and either successfully finalize an agreement, propose a mutually acceptable position or escalate the issue within LRSD.
  d. Lead the preliminary vendor negotiations to achieve an agreement in principle, escalating within LRSD necessary for review and consultation.
  e. Communicate in simple terms with the YNHHS "end-user" managers as needed, so they can make informed decisions about whether to work with a vendor that will not agree to YNHHS standard terms and conditions.
  f. Provide YNHHS Supply Chain Management team suggested changes to contract template language, based on persistent and consistent feedback from vendors for review and consideration. Works with appropriate individuals to either edit, incorporate or reject proposed changes.
  g. Participate as an active member of YNHHS Legal & Risk Services, including attendance at scheduled staff meetings and in-service training sessions.


• 8.1Propose alternative contract language in response to the preliminary review and communicate directly with appropriate parties such as YNHHS Supply Chain Management team, Corporate Contracts team or Vendor as needed.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school is required. Must be a member of good standing with Connecticut Bar.

EXPERIENCE

Five to seven years of related experience with commercial transactions, including drafting and review of commercial agreements. Contract experience in Supply Chain Management required, preferably within health care. Experience with negotiating complex contract terms and conditions, including product agreements, consulting agreements, leasing agreements, capital purchase agreements and service agreements. Experience negotiating with vendors? legal representatives. Clinical experience preferred. Experience with Health care GPOs is also preferred.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong research and writing skills, and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a non-legal audience, are required. Develop and maintain working relationships to collaborate with Supply Chain, Legal Services, Hospital staff, YNHHS personnel and GPO/NPC. Ability to function autonomously in most cases, handling complex multiple tasks with minimal supervision. The ability to change priorities dependent upon organizational need is also necessary. Ability to work in a fast paced and challenging environment.

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