Description
The Senior Healthcare Counsel – Hospital & Physician Operations serves as the senior legal advisor on healthcare regulatory matters impacting hospital and physician operations. Provides strategic legal guidance for certain Acute Care Hospital Divisions, Ambulatory Division, and SMH First Physician's Group, advising on regulatory compliance, practice acquisitions, and operational strategy. Exercises independent legal judgment to mitigate regulatory, financial, and reputational exposure across the healthcare system. Assists other health system leaders on complex matters facing the healthcare system.
Required Qualifications
- Require Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Require a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in regulatory law with a strong focus on healthcare, specifically including physician practice and hospital representation, working for a Healthcare Provider. - Require experience in managing regulatory compliance and responding to regulatory inquiries, particularly in the context of physician practices and hospital settings.
- Require admission to the Florida State Bar or eligibility for admission.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefer ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Prefer advanced certifications or additional training in healthcare compliance or regulatory affairs.
- Prefer familiarity with healthcare compliance management systems and tools.
- Prefer in-depth knowledge of healthcare regulatory requirements.
- Prefer strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Mandatory Education
JD: Juris Doctor
Sarasota Memorial Hospital was recently recognized again by ranking #1 Hospital in the Region by the U.S. News's Best Hospital report by scoring a Perfect 10! Not only that, but SMH was also designated at a national "standout" hospital for earning top ratings in all evaluated conditions and procedures - an accomplishment achieved by less than 1% of the 4000+ hospitals. Our system has also earned Magnet® recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), as well as these additional accolades: Gallup Great Workplace 2018; recipient of an "A" grade for Patient Safety. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is Magnet designated and the only provider of Level II trauma services, obstetrical services, and Level III neonatal intensive care in Sarasota County.
Reputation. Community. Impact. Growth.
Every day, our patients at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System receive a first-class experience in care from a team on a mission to deliver the highest level of care in America. In the process of rising to that challenge, one by one, our people are finding their purpose and feeling their impact. Now it is your turn to see yourself here.
Recognition:
* 5- Star Quality Rating- SMH- Sarasota is the only hospital in Florida to earn the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' highest rating every year since its inception.
* 50 Best Hospitals- SMH ranked among U.S. News & World Report's 50 Best Hospitals in two specialties, Rehabilitation and Obstetrics/Gynecology in 2023-2024, and among the nation's top 10% high performers in 18 other medical specialties, procedures and conditions.
* World's Best Hospitals- SMH- Sarasota has made Newsweek's prestigious list six years in a row, since the global rankings began in 2019.
* "A" for Patient Safety- SMH- Sarasota has earned straight A's since it began participating in the Leapfrog Group's hospital safety survey in 2016.
* Magnet Hospital- SMH has been recognized as a Magnet hospital for the past 20 years by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a continuous achievement for nursing excellence shared by less than 1% of hospitals nationwide.
* America's Best Employer/Workplace- SMH topped Forbe's list of America's Best Employers, ranking among the top 20% of large employers across all industries in 2024, and #1 healthcare employer in Florida in 2023. The health system also earned a 5-star rating in Newsweek's 2024 list of "America's Greatest Workplaces for Women."
The benefits of being the best:
Our commitment to becoming the best community hospital and health care system means providing the best possible benefits to our people. Some highlights:
Total Rewards Package
Paid Time Off (start earning PTO on day one of employment)
Tuition Reimbursement
Discounted Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Benefit Plans for Full & Part-Time Employees
Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care and Dependent Care) - Pre-Tax Dollars
Life Insurance
Competitive rates
Bonuses offered
Disability Insurance
Retirement Savings Plan: 403b
Sarasota Campus for now - Discounted Child Care & Before and After School Program and Summer Camp!
Bereavement Leave
Free Parking
On Campus Dining w/ a 10% discount
Credit Union w/ teller machines on campus
Direct Deposit
Free Wellness Screening
Free confidential counseling services
Employee Discount Programs
Recognition Programs
Referral Programs
Tremendous growth opportunities for hard workers!
Employment Screening Requirements
As part of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s commitment to keeping people safe, all individuals providing care to vulnerable populations are required to undergo background screening through The Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Apply
© Copyright 2026 by Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Require Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Require a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in regulatory law with a strong focus on healthcare, specifically including physician practice and hospital representation, working for a Healthcare Provider. - Require experience in managing regulatory compliance and responding to regulatory inquiries, particularly in the context of physician practices and hospital settings.
- Require admission to the Florida State Bar or eligibility for admission.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefer ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Prefer advanced certifications or additional training in healthcare compliance or regulatory affairs.
- Prefer familiarity with healthcare compliance management systems and tools.
- Prefer in-depth knowledge of healthcare regulatory requirements.
- Prefer strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Mandatory Education
JD: Juris Doctor