Director of Compliance and Privacy

The Director of Compliance & Privacy leads the compliance and privacy function for SGA Dental and is responsible for the development, operation, management, and ongoing refinement of a system-wide Compliance & Privacy Program, as well as the implementation of enterprise-wide compliance initiatives and risk assessments. The Director of Compliance & Privacy promotes a culture of ethical behavior and ensures SGA Dental’s services are provided in accordance with applicable policies, laws, regulations, and SGA Dental’s Code of Conduct. This position is an independent and objective resource within SGA Dental, and exercises sound judgment in the review and evaluation of compliance and privacy matters within the organization.

The Director of Compliance & Privacy works with their peers to ensure that the Compliance & Privacy Program is integrated and supported throughout the business functions. The position has direct reporting responsibility to CEO and reports indirectly to the SGA Dental Board of Director’s Audit Committee, as designated by the SGA Dental Board of Directors.

• Develops, administers, updates, and oversees a comprehensive, system-wide Compliance Program consistent with the recommendations of the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as regulatory guidance and industry best practices.
• Implements and leads the promotion of a culture that fosters ethical behavior and ensures SGA Dental’s services are provided in accordance with applicable policies, laws, regulations, and SGA Dental’s Code of Conduct.
• Develops, administers, updates, and oversees a comprehensive, system-wide HIPAA Privacy Program and works collaboratively with the Chief Information Security Officer on matters that relate or involve the Privacy Program.
• Identifies potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk through a collaborative risk assessment process with key stakeholders such as Internal Audit, Information Security, Legal, Quality, Revenue Cycle, and by incorporating information learned through additional pathways such as: internal audits and investigations; the compliance hotline, the Office of Inspector General annual work plan; and recent enforcement trends.
• Creates and executes the annual compliance and privacy work plan, including but not limited to evaluation of the Office of the Inspector General annual work plan as it relates to SGA Dental operations, ensuring that the plan considers the enforcement priorities of governmental regulatory agencies, and results of SGA Dental’s risk assessment activities.
• Creates, implements, maintains, and revises policies and procedures for the general operation of the Compliance and Privacy Programs and related activities, including the SGA Code of Conduct, to prevent illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.
• Creates, implements, maintains, and revises privacy policies in accordance with applicable federal and state laws including, but not limited to, HIPAA, HITECH and Omnibus requirements.
• Maintains policies and procedures for reviewing, executing and monitoring Business Associate Agreements with qualified business vendors of SGA Dental.
• Maintains and executes procedures for conducting exclusion screenings against applicable Federal and state exclusion databases, including but not limited to the Office of Inspector General List of Excluded Individuals and Entities.
• Initiates, conducts and/or, as applicable, oversees investigations into concerns raised through the compliance hotline or other means pertaining to potentially non-compliant, unethical, or illegal activity within SGA Dental. Ensures that such concerns are addressed fairly, promptly, and appropriately. Collaborates with other departments (e.g., Legal, Risk Management, Human Resources, etc.) in such investigations as appropriate.
• Develops and oversees a system for uniform handling of verified violations of applicable policy, rules, laws, and regulations including development and implementation of corrective action plans. Ensures proper reporting of violations or potential violations to duly authorized enforcement agencies as appropriate and/or require.
• Leads SGA Dental's response to compliance-related investigations initiated by State and Federal regulatory agencies (including but not limited to: Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Inspector General, and Department of Justice), and consults with the Legal Counsel as needed.
• Develops, operates, and oversees an effective compliance and privacy education and training program for the organization, including, but not limited to: promoting (a) use of the compliance hotline; (b) heightened awareness of the Code of Conduct, and (c) understanding of applicable new and existing laws and regulations pertaining to compliance issues and related policies and procedures. Works with Senior Leadership and Management to support ongoing compliance training and education programs for managers, physicians, and board members in support of the Compliance Program.
• Oversees and guides compliance-related auditing and monitoring activities for the organization. Such auditing and monitoring activities would be designated and included in the overall Compliance Program, compliance strategic plan, compliance annual work plan, and/or departmental work and/or audit plans (e.g., Revenue Cycle, Quality, etc.).
• Serve as an internal resource on the laws, regulations, and internal policies pertaining to privacy, compliance, health information, for employees, visitors, patients and business associates, as needed.
• Assumes and executes additional responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities, facilitate projects and business processes and work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Knowledgeable in all areas of Federal and State health care laws, regulations and program rules
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills required
• Strong MS Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
• Must be organized, able to set priorities, meet deadlines and multi-task
• Exhibits good personal organization skills and interpersonal skills and works well with a variety of people

Education/ Experience

• Degree in Healthcare or Public Administration, Business Administration, clinical services, or a related field preferred.
• Certified Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC) certification required or must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment.  Certified Healthcare Compliance (CHC) certification preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of compliance and/or privacy experience.
• Experience with dental practices is highly desired.

Physical/ Environmental Requirements

• Must be able to carry and lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• This position will require sitting for long periods of time, walking, standing, bending, and walking, as well as using fine motor skills, such as finger dexterity for typing and using small hand tools.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to read memos, computer screens, personnel forms, and clinical and administrative documents.

We’re proud to be part of SGA Dental Partners, a group of practices across the Southeast committed to clinical excellence and community care.

Apply today—we’d love to meet you!