Director of Compliance & Associate Counsel

Apex Skin is a physician-led and rapidly growing dermatology practice committed to delivering exceptional patient experiences. We are seeking a healthcare attorney and compliance leader to serve as Director of Compliance & Associate Counsel. This role leads the day-to-day operation and continued development of our enterprise compliance program while providing practical legal support across a growing, multi-site dermatology practice.

This is an ownership role for someone who can recognize risk, investigate concerns, work collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, and move initiatives across the finish line. The Director of Compliance & Associate Counsel will work closely with clinical, operational and business leaders; supervise the Compliance Officer and other compliance resources; and serve as a trusted legal and compliance partner to the Chief Administrative & Legal Officer.

Essential Functions

Own the enterprise compliance program

Lead, evaluate and continuously improve Apex Skin’s compliance program in alignment with industry best practices, applicable legal requirements, and recognized healthcare compliance guidance.

Develop the annual compliance risk assessment and work plan; establish monitoring, auditing, investigation, training and corrective-action priorities.

Manage compliance reporting channels and hotline matters; identify patterns, emerging risks and opportunities for program improvement.

Prepare clear, risk-based reporting for the Chief Administrative & Legal Officer, executive leadership and, as appropriate, the governing body.

Partner with Operations, Revenue Cycle, Clinical Leadership, HR, IT and Finance to translate compliance requirements into workable operational practices.

Oversee billing, coding and healthcare regulatory compliance

Direct compliance monitoring and oversight of auditing relating to provider documentation, coding, billing, medical necessity and reimbursement; partner effectively with internal and external coding professionals.

Evaluate audit findings, identify systemic risk, and ensure corrective action, education and follow-up monitoring are completed.

Advise on Medicare and Medicaid requirements, overpayments and repayment obligations, False Claims Act exposure, and related reimbursement risks.

Provide practical guidance concerning the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, beneficiary inducement rules, Civil Monetary Penalties and other healthcare fraud-and-abuse laws.

Assess provider compensation arrangements, new service lines, locations, vendors and business initiatives for regulatory risk.

Manage investigations, compliance response and remediation

Provide practical in-house legal support

Research and advise on healthcare regulatory, operational and risk management matters with clear, business-minded recommendations.

Draft, review and negotiate provider agreements, business associate agreements, confidentiality agreements, vendor contracts and selected operational agreements.

Support regulatory implementation, policy development, claims and litigation support, corporate transactions, diligence and integration activities.

Manage discrete matters with outside counsel and provide other in-house legal support as assigned by the Chief Administrative & Legal Officer.

Provide leadership and legal oversight for privacy compliance

Supervise and support the Compliance & Privacy Officer, who leads day-to-day HIPAA and privacy administration.

Advise on significant privacy incidents, breach determinations, patient-information issues, vendor privacy and security terms, and matters requiring legal analysis.

Build capability and a strong compliance culture

Develop annual and targeted compliance education, including manager and provider guidance and training following audits or incidents.

Promote open reporting, non-retaliation and shared accountability for compliance across the organization.

Track training completion and effectiveness, and help build the compliance function as Apex Skin grows.

Qualifications

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.

Active license and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; admission in Ohio or eligibility to obtain appropriate Ohio status.

At least five years of relevant legal and/or healthcare compliance experience, including meaningful healthcare regulatory work.

Working knowledge of healthcare compliance programs, HIPAA, healthcare fraud and abuse laws, and reimbursement or billing/coding risk.

Experience conducting or managing internal investigations and developing practical corrective-action plans.

Strong legal research, writing, judgment and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into clear operational guidance.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and know when an issue requires escalation.

Preferred Experience

Experience in a physician practice, medical group, health system, management services organization or other multi-site healthcare organization.

Experience with physician-practice compliance, provider arrangements, revenue cycle, billing/coding audits or healthcare operations.

Prior in-house experience and experience building or maturing a compliance program.

Dermatology, ambulatory care or other specialty-practice experience.

Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC), Certified in Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC) or a comparable credential.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods

Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive motions

Adequate visual acuity and manual dexterity required for job duties

Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, instrument preparation, and documentation

Ability to speak and hear clearly when interacting with patients and team members

Visual acuity sufficient to read medical documentation

Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 20 pounds (supplies or files)