Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, competent and dependable Paralegal to join our busy Legal Services Department at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for an individual who works to high personal and professional standards, paying attention to detail. Ideally you will be someone who responds well to a fast-paced environment and who can readily adapt to changing work priorities with the ability to multi-task, whilst at the same time remaining calm and professional. The successful candidate will be supporting the day-to-day operation of the Legal Services and be responsible for processing disclosure requests made in contemplation of litigation and by the Coroner, as well as seeing to office administration.
Main duties of the job
The Paralegal is to work within the Legal Services Department and to provide comprehensive administrative support.
About us
We're a large organisation with three hospitals located in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole. We also provide community services in North Lincolnshire. Our 6,500 members of staff care for and support a population of more than 400,000 people.
We encourage all our staff to innovate and adopt 'best practice' so we can deliver excellent care to our patients. We ask staff to live our values; kindness, courage and respect.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. You could be one of them.
To learn more about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and discover the unique benefits on offer to employees, view our latest videos, plus more, please visit our recruitment website at https://joinnlag.co.uk/
Should we receive a high volume of applications for this vacancy, the advert may be closed earlier than stated. To view a full job description and person specification please see attachments on this advert.
In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Recruitment & Workforce team will use and hold your personal data for the intended purpose and in line with the Recruitment & Workforce Privacy Statement.
"We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children/vulnerable adults and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers".
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Oversee requests for disclosure from Claimants solicitors/Coroners Office and ensuring these are complied with within the legal timeframe, seeking consent from the Claimants solicitors/Coroners Office for extensions if required.
- To manage a caseload under the supervision of the Claims Manager, comprising of routine claims in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules and inquests, ensuring claims/inquests are acknowledged and appropriately reviewed for coding and audit purposes before being logged on the Trust's case management system.
- Ensure appropriate staffs within the Divisions are notified on receipt of new claims/inquests and identify the relevant staff to provide statements on care provided, with a particular focus on any breach of duty and causation issues for claims and the treatment provided for inquests.
- Assess the robustness of documentation/investigation reports from treating clinicians, identify any shortfalls in information required and ensure that these are pursued on a timely
- Act as the day to day contact for staff in the Divisions; claimant and defendant legal firms; NHSR; Coroners Office; claimants (or their relatives) ensuring they understand the legal procedures and are updated on any new
- Update new claims and claims progress on the NHSR claims management Update the Coroners Office on progress of inquest files
- Maintain the Legal Services Database ensuring it reflects the current position on every claim/inquest at all times. Check accuracy of claim/inquest information and make amendments to coding and claim narrative as and when more information becomes available. Ensure all legal documents are uploaded to the system in accordance with local
- Maintain and collate legal documentation and information for legal proceedings ensuring that there is a full and accurate file for every case. Where records cannot be located ensure a document is maintained which details all areas physically searched and date(s) searches took place. In cases of lost records prepare a schedule of searches for disclosure to court.
- Deal with sensitive telephone enquiries promptly and efficiently, take appropriate action and forward to appropriate members of the
- Request and return medical records/x-rays/documentation and track them Ensure immediate action is taken when urgent requests for notes are made by legal professionals or clinical staff.
We are committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.
We strongly value the different perspectives and ideas a diverse workforce brings to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We welcome applications irrespective of peoples age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Oversee requests for disclosure from Claimants solicitors/Coroners Office and ensuring these are complied with within the legal timeframe, seeking consent from the Claimants solicitors/Coroners Office for extensions if required.
- To manage a caseload under the supervision of the Claims Manager, comprising of routine claims in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules and inquests, ensuring claims/inquests are acknowledged and appropriately reviewed for coding and audit purposes before being logged on the Trust's case management system.
- Ensure appropriate staffs within the Divisions are notified on receipt of new claims/inquests and identify the relevant staff to provide statements on care provided, with a particular focus on any breach of duty and causation issues for claims and the treatment provided for inquests.
- Assess the robustness of documentation/investigation reports from treating clinicians, identify any shortfalls in information required and ensure that these are pursued on a timely
- Act as the day to day contact for staff in the Divisions; claimant and defendant legal firms; NHSR; Coroners Office; claimants (or their relatives) ensuring they understand the legal procedures and are updated on any new
- Update new claims and claims progress on the NHSR claims management Update the Coroners Office on progress of inquest files
- Maintain the Legal Services Database ensuring it reflects the current position on every claim/inquest at all times. Check accuracy of claim/inquest information and make amendments to coding and claim narrative as and when more information becomes available. Ensure all legal documents are uploaded to the system in accordance with local
- Maintain and collate legal documentation and information for legal proceedings ensuring that there is a full and accurate file for every case. Where records cannot be located ensure a document is maintained which details all areas physically searched and date(s) searches took place. In cases of lost records prepare a schedule of searches for disclosure to court.
- Deal with sensitive telephone enquiries promptly and efficiently, take appropriate action and forward to appropriate members of the
- Request and return medical records/x-rays/documentation and track them Ensure immediate action is taken when urgent requests for notes are made by legal professionals or clinical staff.
We are committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.
We strongly value the different perspectives and ideas a diverse workforce brings to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We welcome applications irrespective of peoples age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education
- Evidence of good numeracy and literacy
- GCSE - minimum level 5 including English and Maths
Desirable
- ECDL or other recognised IT qualification
- Law degree
Occupational Experience
Essential
- Experience of at least 2 years working in NHS or law firm
- Evidence of previous admin or secretarial experience
- Experience of managing their own caseload
Desirable
- Experience of handling confidential and sensitive information
- Experience / knowledge of patient record database eg. ECamis, Web V, Symphony
Skills
Desirable
- Experience of Coroner's inquest of Civil Litigation
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education
- Evidence of good numeracy and literacy
- GCSE - minimum level 5 including English and Maths
Desirable
- ECDL or other recognised IT qualification
- Law degree
Occupational Experience
Essential
- Experience of at least 2 years working in NHS or law firm
- Evidence of previous admin or secretarial experience
- Experience of managing their own caseload
Desirable
- Experience of handling confidential and sensitive information
- Experience / knowledge of patient record database eg. ECamis, Web V, Symphony
Skills
Desirable
- Experience of Coroner's inquest of Civil Litigation
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
