Job summary
The Legal & Committee Services Department is seeking to recruit an experienced and dynamic individual for the position of Assistant Legal Services Officer. The successful candidate will work closely with the Legal & Committee Services Lead/Deputy in the day to day management of all inquests with some claims management.
- Interview date: 27th September 2023
- Full Time 37.5 hours/week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
You may be required to assist with clinical negligence and personal injury claims to ensure that they are managed in accordance with Civil Procedure Rules and NHS Resolution requirements.
The successful candidate must be educated to degree level or possess the equivalent experience with knowledge and understanding of Coronial Inquest processes and NHS Resolution claims management. You must have strong communication skills including the ability to communicate both complex and sensitive information to senior clinicians and managers. You should be able to work autonomously and have the ability to prioritise and manage workload in order to meet strict court deadlines.
About us
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with over 18,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 1.84 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist the Legal & Committee Services Lead in the efficient and effective management and co-ordination of Inquests, litigation claims, and committee services and other legal affairs.
- In the absence of the Legal & Committee Services Lead or Deputy to monitor the management and co-ordination of all Trust Inquests.
- In the absence of the Legal & Committee Services Lead or Deputy to provide a timely and efficient service to support high level Trust committees.
- To ensure that staff are supported through the Inquest process, particularly when giving oral evidence at an Inquest hearing.
- To arrange and attend pre-Inquest meetings as required.
- To attend Inquests and take notes of the proceedings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist the Legal & Committee Services Lead in the efficient and effective management and co-ordination of Inquests, litigation claims, and committee services and other legal affairs.
- In the absence of the Legal & Committee Services Lead or Deputy to monitor the management and co-ordination of all Trust Inquests.
- In the absence of the Legal & Committee Services Lead or Deputy to provide a timely and efficient service to support high level Trust committees.
- To ensure that staff are supported through the Inquest process, particularly when giving oral evidence at an Inquest hearing.
- To arrange and attend pre-Inquest meetings as required.
- To attend Inquests and take notes of the proceedings.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of the management of litigation claims and legal service functions.
- Knowledge of the Coroner's Inquest Process.
- Experience of working on own initiative.
- Experience in prioritising workload
- Experience in being proactive in response to queries
- Knowledge in the identification and awareness of Risk Management issues
- Experience in diary management and scheduling meetings
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of the workings of the NHS
- Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
- Knowledge and experience of the overall Coronial administration process
- Experience in production of reports for presentation to the Trust Board and other committees
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to acquire and analyse documentation for Inquests and liaison with appropriate court officers and Trust solicitors
- Ability to liaise and discuss sensitive issues with senior clinicians and managers
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of organisational skills.
- Word processing skills
- Staff Management skills
- Ability to keep to strict deadlines
Desirable
- IT skills
- Recording skills
- Ability to take minutes
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of the management of litigation claims and legal service functions.
- Knowledge of the Coroner's Inquest Process.
- Experience of working on own initiative.
- Experience in prioritising workload
- Experience in being proactive in response to queries
- Knowledge in the identification and awareness of Risk Management issues
- Experience in diary management and scheduling meetings
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of the workings of the NHS
- Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
- Knowledge and experience of the overall Coronial administration process
- Experience in production of reports for presentation to the Trust Board and other committees
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to acquire and analyse documentation for Inquests and liaison with appropriate court officers and Trust solicitors
- Ability to liaise and discuss sensitive issues with senior clinicians and managers
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of organisational skills.
- Word processing skills
- Staff Management skills
- Ability to keep to strict deadlines
Desirable
- IT skills
- Recording skills
- Ability to take minutes
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
