ERICA D. AUSTIN, J.D.
Nashville,USA
Summary
I am a former public-school teacher and now licensed attorney with a Master of Human Resources, actively exploring supplemental employment opportunities to offset rising cost of living expenses.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL
Tennessee Department of Health
01.2025 - Current
- One of 30 attorneys serving the state agency responsible for public health and its workforce of over 3,000 employees dedicated to providing services in all 95 counties, regulating healthcare professionals, ensuring food and environmental safety, preparing for and responding to health emergencies, and maintaining vital records.
- Specializing in compliance with state and federal public health and privacy laws; interpreting new directives from state and federal authorities; conducting legal research and crafting guidance on emerging topics in public health; drafting and reviewing policies, contracts, and data use agreements; updating administrative rules for statewide health program; tracking and analyzing legislation; and representing the department in administrative hearings and enforcement actions.
CONTRACTS MANAGER
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
09.2023 - 01.2025
- Lead a team of 8 contracts analysts dedicated to developing, finalizing, and maintaining research, data transfer, and professional services agreements with a variety of entities.
- Guided team’s high volume of simultaneous contract negotiations, which included resolving conflicting interests and objectives, assisting in development of negotiation strategies, identifying areas of risk, and offering alternatives for management of such risks.
- Actively participated in process improvement initiatives, special projects, and development of educational resources.
DIVISION COUNSEL
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
05.2022 - 09.2023
- One of 18 attorneys serving academic medical center and affiliated health system currently comprised of 7 total hospitals, 3 regional hospital campuses, 200+ clinics, and a 40,000+ member workforce providing 3 million+ patient visits per year.
- Designated to assist compliance team, business development and operations teams, and VUMC affiliates with identifying and resolving regulatory compliance issues.
- Daily collaboration with enterprise's 10 Compliance Officers on general compliance program implementation, monitoring changes in regulatory landscape, investigations, internal and external audits, policy development and management, and educational endeavors.
HOSPITAL COMPLIANCE MANAGER
Denver Health and Hospital Authority
03.2021 - 04.2022
- Supported enterprise compliance services to academic affiliated health system comprised of Level 1 Trauma Center, 525 acute beds, Denver's 911 system, 13 community health centers, 19 school-based health centers, the Denver Public Health Department, the Denver Health Medical Plan, and the Denver Health Foundation.
- Specialized in research and response to regulatory developments, enforcement trends, and licensure & accreditation standards; policy drafting and implementation; conducting investigations; leading monitoring activities, supporting internal audits; designing corrective action plans; creating and presenting compliance training programs; collaborating on development and implementation of annual work plan, risk assessment, and conflicts of interest campaign.
DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE
EMS Management & Consultants, Inc
02.2020 - 02.2021
- Fulfilled a 12-month service commitment to evaluate & enhance compliance program effectiveness for third-party ambulance service billing company serving over 250 clients in 25 states with a North Carolina workforce of 150 members and some 400 India based subcontractors.
- Special Projects: Developed protocols for compliance and privacy investigations, drafted written compliance plan & policies; created workforce education; updated client & state specific billing guidance; audited Business Associate Agreements; implemented centralized contract management system; and delivered consulting and educational services to clients.
SENIOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ANALYST
Erlanger Health System
07.2018 - 02.2020
- Functioned as regulatory compliance lead to multi-state health system anchored by an academically affiliated Level 1 Trauma Center, as well as 6 other acute care, critical access, and behavioral health hospitals, physician practices of nearly every medical specialty, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Rural Health Clinics in 3 states.
- Researched state and federal laws and regulations to provide compliance guidance to management and operational leadership; acted as liaison to best practices and process improvement focused leadership committees & task forces; monitored open payments, monthly exclusions, non-monetary physician compensation, & conflict of interest disclosure statements; and provided supervision and maintenance of various software systems.
COMPLIANCE OFFICER & RISK MANAGER
Jennie Stuart Health
10.2015 - 07.2018
- Hired as Human Resources Manager.
- Transitioned to Compliance and Risk Management, for not-for-profit 194 bed hospital and associated for-profit physician practice group.
- Daily operation of compliance program and incident reporting system, investigated issues of patient safety and non-compliance, coordinated resolution of potentially compensable events with insurance carrier and external legal counsel; acted as hospital representative at mediation conferences and trials, provided regulatory advice to administration and clinical staff, and drafted and managed contracts.
STAFF ATTORNEY II
KY Department of Public Advocacy
01.2010 - 09.2015
- Managed case load of several hundred indigent clients in variety of specialty District and Circuit Courts, including Criminal, Child Support, Juvenile, Veterans, and Involuntary Commitment.
Education
Master of Human Resources -
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN01.2015
Juris Doctorate - undefined
Mississippi College School of Law
Jackson, MS01.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Georgetown College
Georgetown, Ky01.1999
Skills
KY Law License, 2008
TN Law License, 2015
HCCA Healthcare Compliance Certification, 2018
HCCA Healthcare Privacy Compliance Certification, 2020
HCCA Healthcare Research Compliance Certification, 2021
Certification
Gladly furnished upon request
Timeline
ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL
Tennessee Department of Health
01.2025 - Current
CONTRACTS MANAGER
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
09.2023 - 01.2025
DIVISION COUNSEL
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
05.2022 - 09.2023
HOSPITAL COMPLIANCE MANAGER
Denver Health and Hospital Authority
03.2021 - 04.2022
DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE
EMS Management & Consultants, Inc
02.2020 - 02.2021
SENIOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ANALYST
Erlanger Health System
07.2018 - 02.2020
COMPLIANCE OFFICER & RISK MANAGER
Jennie Stuart Health
10.2015 - 07.2018
STAFF ATTORNEY II
KY Department of Public Advocacy
01.2010 - 09.2015
Juris Doctorate - undefined
Mississippi College School of Law
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Georgetown College
Master of Human Resources -
Lipscomb University
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