Assistant General Counsel for Healthcare Quality - 61005878 (ATTORNEY II)

About the role

At the South Carolina Department of Public Health (“DPH”), you will do meaningful work contributing to our mission to protect, promote, and improve the health and well‑being of everyone in South Carolina. Consider joining the DPH Office of General Counsel (“OGC”), where you will work in a collaborative and supportive environment where people come first, we encourage a healthy work‑life balance, and you will become part of a dedicated team of attorneys who advise the state’s first stand‑alone public health agency in 50 years. Under the supervision of the agency’s Chief Counsel for Healthcare Quality (HQ), the attorney will provide legal advice and support to all HQ programs, working closely with program directors and staff engaged in specialized areas of healthcare facility and provider regulation and oversight.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the promulgation of regulations and advise HQ staff on state and federal statutory and regulatory licensing and certification matters, including the State Health Facility Licensure Act and the Social Security Act.
• Work on statutes and regulations concerning Midwives and Hearing Aid Specialists, Tattooing and Body Piercing, and Background Checks for Direct Caregivers.
• Support HQ program areas including Emergency Medical Services, Narcotics and Controlled Substances, and the Prescription Monitoring Program.
• Conduct complex legal research and prepare legal opinions and memoranda.
• Advise and represent HQ programs regarding enforcement matters and licensing and certification applications in meetings, enforcement conferences, contested cases at the Administrative Law Court and further appeals, as well as certified nurse aide registry hearings.
• Support the development of Department policies, procedures, and training.
• Coordinate responses to subpoenas.
• Advise HQ program areas regarding compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
• Participate in the agency’s Incident Command Structure during emergencies, as needed.
• Draft, review, and revise legal documents to ensure accuracy, proper content, and appropriate form and grammar.
• Participate in public speaking engagements by creating and delivering educational and informational presentations both within and outside the Department.

Requirements

• Juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney.
• Member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Have completed trial experiences as required by Rule 403, S.C. Appellate Court Rules.
• Applicants being considered in the final stages of selection will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10‑year driving record.
• Be trustworthy, self‑motivated, and reliable.
• Possess a strong work ethic and the ability to work independently without regular guidance from their supervisor.
• Possess a level head, good judgment and common sense.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of the laws of South Carolina, with the ability to explain legal issues in simple, direct, and easily understandable terms.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a team environment and interact professionally and collaboratively with all levels of internal staff, courts, opposing counsel, government agencies, entities, and the public.
• Possess strong public‑speaking skills.
• Demonstrate strong legal writing skills.
• Possess strong organizational skills.
• Possess a commitment to professionalism, ethics, and public service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in administrative and regulatory law or healthcare law, or education, training, or experience in regulatory compliance or a healthcare‑related industry.
• Experience with the state process for regulation promulgation.
• Experience in litigation.

Benefits

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, dental, vision, long‑term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children