Job Title:  Legal Officer

Job Summary

The Legal Officer is responsible for providing legal support and advice to the hospital, ensuring that all hospital operations comply with relevant laws, regulations, and healthcare policies. This role involves managing legal risks, drafting and reviewing contracts, handling disputes, and providing guidance on healthcare laws, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. The Legal Officer will work closely with senior management, clinical departments, and external legal counsel to protect the hospital’s legal interests and support its mission to provide high-quality patient care

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Risk Management

• Provide legal counsel to hospital leadership and departments on a wide range of legal issues, including healthcare regulations, employment law, patient rights, and corporate governance.
• Advise on legal risks related to hospital operations, clinical practices, patient care, and compliance with health-related laws and regulations (e.g., data protection, medical malpractice).
• Identify, assess, and mitigate potential legal risks within hospital operations, offering proactive solutions to minimize liabilities.

Contract Drafting & Review

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and service-level agreements (SLAs) related to hospital operations, including vendor agreements, employment contracts, patient consent forms, and partnership agreements.
• Ensure that contracts are legally sound, protect the hospital’s interests, and comply with healthcare-specific laws and industry standards.
• Manage contracts through their lifecycle, ensuring timely renewals, amendments, and compliance.

Regulatory Compliance & Healthcare Law

• Stay updated on relevant healthcare laws, regulations, and legal trends (e.g., patient privacy laws, medical ethics, and licensing requirements) to ensure compliance across all departments.
• Ensure the hospital’s policies and procedures are in line with applicable local, national, and international healthcare laws and regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, local healthcare compliance frameworks).
• Provide guidance on regulatory compliance issues, including audits, inspections, and government reporting.

Corporate Governance & Policies

• Advise on corporate governance matters, ensuring that the hospital operates in accordance with established governance frameworks, ethical standards, and legal requirements.
• Review and draft internal policies, ensuring they comply with laws and regulations, and that they align with the hospital’s best practices for patient care and operational management.
• Assist with the development and implementation of hospital policies on patient confidentiality, consent, and medical ethics.

Other Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Employment Law

• Advise on employment law matters, including hiring practices, workplace safety, employee disputes, and terminations, ensuring compliance with labor laws and hospital policies.
• Assist with employee contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and dispute resolution in relation to hospital staff and management.
• Support the human resources department in addressing legal aspects of labor relations and resolving disputes.

Training & Awareness

• Provide training and guidance to hospital staff on legal and compliance matters, such as patient confidentiality, consent, anti-bribery laws, and healthcare regulations.
• Conduct workshops or seminars to raise awareness among hospital staff regarding legal responsibilities and ethical practices in healthcare settings.

Document Management & Legal Record Keeping

• Maintain organized legal files, records, and databases for contracts, litigation matters, and compliance-related documents.
• Ensure that all legal documentation is securely stored and easily accessible for future reference or audits.

Collaboration with External Legal Counsel

• Manage relationships with external law firms and legal consultants for specialized matters or litigation cases.
• Ensure that external legal counsel is effectively managed, that billing is accurate, and that external legal support is utilized cost-effectively

Educational Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) from an accredited institution. A Master's degree or legal certifications (e.g., LLM, JD) are a plus.

Professional Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a legal advisor, with significant exposure to healthcare law, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
• Knowledge of healthcare laws and regulations, such as patient rights, medical malpractice, privacy laws, and compliance frameworks in the healthcare industry.
• Proven experience in contract drafting and negotiation, dispute resolution, and managing litigation processes.
• Familiarity with local, national, and international healthcare regulations (e.g., health data protection laws, patient safety standards, and licensing requirements).
• Strong understanding of employment law and employee relations in a healthcare setting.

Key Competencies

Legal Expertise: In-depth knowledge of healthcare law, legal regulations, and the ability to apply these principles within a hospital setting.

Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and offer practical legal solutions to complex issues.

Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to negotiate, draft clear legal documents, and interact with various hospital stakeholders.

Ethical Judgment: High level of integrity and professionalism, maintaining confidentiality and adhering to ethical standards in all legal matters.

Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with hospital leadership, clinical teams, HR, and external legal counsel to manage legal matters in a healthcare environment.