Job summary
This is an exciting time to join East Kent University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as we seek to build an entire new legal team. The trust is moving from a heavily outsourced model to an in-house team to embed learning, indirectly improve patient care , support clinical staff well-being (within the team and the wider trust) and reduce expenditure.
The Deputy Head of Legal Services will be responsible for managing the 2 Claims & Inquest Managers and the Claims Assistant. They will be vital in supporting the Head of Legal Services with the day to day management of the team and development of the junior members of the team.
A reliable, efficient and skilled candidate is needed to manage a large caseload of claims and inquests, specifically someone skilled in advocacy to attend court and lead of straightforward inquests.
The Head of Legal Services is already in post and keen to develop a resilient and successful legal services team.
Please contact Puja Sharma, Legal Consultant - puja.sharma8@nhs.net to discuss the role.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to deputise for the Head of Legal Services in the management of all aspects of the legal services department.
To directly line manage the Claims & Inquest Managers (x2) and Claims Assistant , and be responsible for their training and development.
To provide professional in-house legal advice to the Trust's executive, senior management and clinical/non-clinical staff across a range of matters, using own knowledge or obtaining appropriate advice and guidance from both internal and external legal advisers and other external stakeholders when necessary.
To manage a caseload of inquests, including supporting and preparing witnesses for giving evidence and conducting advocacy in the coroner's court.
The role also includes management of a caseload of clinical claims in accordance with Trust policies and the requirements of NHS Resolution and relevant legislation/regulations.
To foster and maintain external and internal working relationships and to assist in the delivery of bespoke internal legal training sessions as required.
The post holder will work closely with the quality governance, operational and corporate management teams and staff at all levels in the organisation.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.
If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.
If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in law/ legal practice with appropriate post graduate level courses, or substantial experience working at a comparable level within the NHS
Desirable
- Masters level qualification, or demonstrable experience as a healthcare solicitor/CILEX
- Current Practicing Certificate as a Solicitor of the Courts of England and Wales
Skills
Essential
- The highest level of interpersonal and communication (both oral and written) skills, with the ability to communicate highly complex, contentious and sensitive information often in a hostile and antagonistic or highly emotive atmosphere
- Ability to rapidly assimilate a range of complex information and provide advice, often under time pressures
- Critical appraisal of wide ranging documents to facilitate assessment of risk and to ensure appropriate & sensitive communication/ management of claims/inquests
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and meet deadlines
- Ability to manage, prioritise and deliver a number of projects and work programs within agreed timescales
- PC literate including software packages of Word, Excel, Outlook, Intranet/ Extranet, Datix
Desirable
- Ability to interpret national policy and guidance, identify local implications and apply implementation to a local setting
Experience
Essential
- Significant previous Coronial/Inquest management experience, and experience of conducting advocacy in the coroner's court
- Able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the CPR, the claims management process and CNST/LTPS/PES scheme rules
- Advanced knowledge of and experience of working within the NHS.
Desirable
- Experience of staff management
- Experience in setting objectives and performance management and holding people to account
- Developing & delivering training programs
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge within the specialised field of healthcare law, including litigation, inquests and general legal advice.
- Understanding of the Court of Protection process
Other
Essential
- Actively seeks ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness of own performance
- Commitment to staff/team development
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in law/ legal practice with appropriate post graduate level courses, or substantial experience working at a comparable level within the NHS
Desirable
- Masters level qualification, or demonstrable experience as a healthcare solicitor/CILEX
- Current Practicing Certificate as a Solicitor of the Courts of England and Wales
Skills
Essential
- The highest level of interpersonal and communication (both oral and written) skills, with the ability to communicate highly complex, contentious and sensitive information often in a hostile and antagonistic or highly emotive atmosphere
- Ability to rapidly assimilate a range of complex information and provide advice, often under time pressures
- Critical appraisal of wide ranging documents to facilitate assessment of risk and to ensure appropriate & sensitive communication/ management of claims/inquests
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and meet deadlines
- Ability to manage, prioritise and deliver a number of projects and work programs within agreed timescales
- PC literate including software packages of Word, Excel, Outlook, Intranet/ Extranet, Datix
Desirable
- Ability to interpret national policy and guidance, identify local implications and apply implementation to a local setting
Experience
Essential
- Significant previous Coronial/Inquest management experience, and experience of conducting advocacy in the coroner's court
- Able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the CPR, the claims management process and CNST/LTPS/PES scheme rules
- Advanced knowledge of and experience of working within the NHS.
Desirable
- Experience of staff management
- Experience in setting objectives and performance management and holding people to account
- Developing & delivering training programs
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge within the specialised field of healthcare law, including litigation, inquests and general legal advice.
- Understanding of the Court of Protection process
Other
Essential
- Actively seeks ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness of own performance
- Commitment to staff/team development
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).
