Job summary
We are seeking TWO Healthcare Lawyers / Legal Services Managersto play a pivotal role in delivering the diverse and dynamic Legal Services required to support one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts. King's has a unique profile of local services and focused tertiary specialties together with an international reputation for its work in liver disease and transplantation, neurosciences, fetal medicine, cardiac and blood cell cancer.
This post represents an excellent opportunity for a professional with a passion for high quality (and occasionally high profile) medico-legal work. The post holder will provide professional management for Trust inquest, advisory and court of protection matters, as well as assisting with supervision of complex claims and involvement in some legal matters of particular national and international importance.
This is an exciting role, which requires ambition, teamwork and motivation. You will need confidence and expertise, as well as being very responsive and able to deal with highly complex and sensitive information. This is also an exciting time to join the team and to shape the delivery of Legal Services in a complex and thriving Trust.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidates will need:
o To provide professional management of the Trust's claims and inquests.
o To represent the Trust at inquests and advise on healthcare legal matters arising.
o To manage more complex inquests and Court of Protection matters with panel firm support as required.
o To oversee and train junior staff and supervise and audit files in respect of healthcare matters.
o Promote learning across a number of internal stakeholders, in order to learn from inquests and facilitate a better patient/family experience to avoid unnecessary claims litigation and/or damage to the Trust's reputation.
o To provide training to staff in relation to legal processes including claims, inquests, mental capacity, consent and the deprivation of liberty.
o To be a qualified solicitor or barrister or have equivalent significant experience working in healthcare law, including conducting inquests, advocacy and assisting/handling Court of Protection and advisory matters.
o To work with professional leads across the Trust to enable the Trust to demonstrate its compliance with national policies and standards, including those set by the Coroner's Court and CQC.
o To support the Trust in improving quality and value of services, by learning from inquests and claims and liaising with colleagues to ensure relevant information is passed to NHS Resolution if an associated claim arises out of a healthcare matter.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King's to another level
Job description
Job responsibilities
Healthcare Lawyer/Legal Services Manager
a. Manage inquests and claims within the Trust, including advocacy at hearings and liaise with the Associate Director of Legal if a matter cannot be dealt with in-house.
b. Lead the day-to-day management of healthcare legal work within the department and work with the Associate Director of Legal/ Head of Legal to ensure that claims and inquests are being handled efficiently.
c. Oversee and supervise junior staff as directed by the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal on all Healthcare matters, with direct line of supervision to the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal.
d. With assistance from the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal, to manage Court of Protection matters and seek external legal assistance where necessary.
e. Assist with advisory work, Court of Protection and any other legal work as directed.
f. Identify and bring to the attention of the Associate Director of Legal any immediate concerns about activity of individual staff, including where action may be needed to retrain or otherwise ensure the continuing safety of patients and others.
g. Arrange and attend meetings (leading where appropriate) and Court hearings involving lawyers and Trust staff to provide information on the matters and to support staff.
h. Assist and support staff at all levels across the organisation who are required to give evidence at Court on behalf of the Trust.
i. Arrange and provide training, education and seminars for any employees within the Trust on aspects of healthcare law, including the senior leadership team as appropriate.
j. Prepare and / or assist in the preparation of reports, briefs, policies and processes as directed by the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal.
Leadership
a. Promote and implement best practice in the management of claims and inquests against the Trust and its predecessor bodies. Ensure timely investigation and representation at any inquests the Trust is asked to attend.
b. Assist with the supervision of junior staff in respect of healthcare matters.
c. Assist the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal to support, motivate and develop junior staff within the department in healthcare law issues, leading and promoting best ethical and professional practice within a multi-disciplinary network.
d. Assist with the identification of remedial action which may be needed to avoid recurrence of adverse events.
Communication
a. Make representations to the Coroner when necessary, for example when the Trust is named as an Interested Party or there is criticism of the Trust, ensuring that the Trusts position is heard and staff are supported.
b. Present information to staff and external organisations, influencing them on the way that inquests should be taken forward.
c. Deal as necessary with potentially contentious issues to achieve resolution.
d. Work and engage constructively with internal and external stakeholders on a range of sensitive issues.
e. Provide support to staff who may be adversely affected by the process and findings of legal investigations, or by the review of events that in themselves are distressing.
f. Build and develop key relationships, consult and maintain networks internally and externally.
g. Liaise proactively with Trust staff, including clinical staff, patient safety, risk management, complaints and communications, in order that there be effective communication amongst departments to ensure early identification of any issues.
h. Work as an ambassador for the Trust with other organisations and the public in promoting and building its reputation, or minimising reputation damage.
i. Build positive relationships with external advisers and partners.
j. Have highly developed interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in a hostile or emotive atmosphere and take appropriate action.
Research and Development
a. Horizon scan for developments in healthcare law and best practice externally and report with recommendations to the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
a. Proven ability to analyse and interpret complex information and make recommendations for action.
b. The ability to analyse and challenge multiple strands of information that is provided by senior members of the Trust and sense check it to ensure consistency and rationality.
c. The ability to interpret regulations and guidance for the benefit of the Trust when dealing with healthcare matters.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Healthcare Lawyer/Legal Services Manager
a. Manage inquests and claims within the Trust, including advocacy at hearings and liaise with the Associate Director of Legal if a matter cannot be dealt with in-house.
b. Lead the day-to-day management of healthcare legal work within the department and work with the Associate Director of Legal/ Head of Legal to ensure that claims and inquests are being handled efficiently.
c. Oversee and supervise junior staff as directed by the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal on all Healthcare matters, with direct line of supervision to the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal.
d. With assistance from the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal, to manage Court of Protection matters and seek external legal assistance where necessary.
e. Assist with advisory work, Court of Protection and any other legal work as directed.
f. Identify and bring to the attention of the Associate Director of Legal any immediate concerns about activity of individual staff, including where action may be needed to retrain or otherwise ensure the continuing safety of patients and others.
g. Arrange and attend meetings (leading where appropriate) and Court hearings involving lawyers and Trust staff to provide information on the matters and to support staff.
h. Assist and support staff at all levels across the organisation who are required to give evidence at Court on behalf of the Trust.
i. Arrange and provide training, education and seminars for any employees within the Trust on aspects of healthcare law, including the senior leadership team as appropriate.
j. Prepare and / or assist in the preparation of reports, briefs, policies and processes as directed by the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal.
Leadership
a. Promote and implement best practice in the management of claims and inquests against the Trust and its predecessor bodies. Ensure timely investigation and representation at any inquests the Trust is asked to attend.
b. Assist with the supervision of junior staff in respect of healthcare matters.
c. Assist the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal to support, motivate and develop junior staff within the department in healthcare law issues, leading and promoting best ethical and professional practice within a multi-disciplinary network.
d. Assist with the identification of remedial action which may be needed to avoid recurrence of adverse events.
Communication
a. Make representations to the Coroner when necessary, for example when the Trust is named as an Interested Party or there is criticism of the Trust, ensuring that the Trusts position is heard and staff are supported.
b. Present information to staff and external organisations, influencing them on the way that inquests should be taken forward.
c. Deal as necessary with potentially contentious issues to achieve resolution.
d. Work and engage constructively with internal and external stakeholders on a range of sensitive issues.
e. Provide support to staff who may be adversely affected by the process and findings of legal investigations, or by the review of events that in themselves are distressing.
f. Build and develop key relationships, consult and maintain networks internally and externally.
g. Liaise proactively with Trust staff, including clinical staff, patient safety, risk management, complaints and communications, in order that there be effective communication amongst departments to ensure early identification of any issues.
h. Work as an ambassador for the Trust with other organisations and the public in promoting and building its reputation, or minimising reputation damage.
i. Build positive relationships with external advisers and partners.
j. Have highly developed interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in a hostile or emotive atmosphere and take appropriate action.
Research and Development
a. Horizon scan for developments in healthcare law and best practice externally and report with recommendations to the Associate Director of Legal/Head of Legal.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
a. Proven ability to analyse and interpret complex information and make recommendations for action.
b. The ability to analyse and challenge multiple strands of information that is provided by senior members of the Trust and sense check it to ensure consistency and rationality.
c. The ability to interpret regulations and guidance for the benefit of the Trust when dealing with healthcare matters.
Person Specification
As per JD and Person Specificaiton
Essential
- A qualified solicitor or barrister of England and Wales or demonstrable equivalent significant experience of working as a legal advisor on healthcare matters.
- Demonstrable experience in healthcare law as a legal advisor on a variety of healthcare matters.
Desirable
- Ability to prepare comprehensive reports on claims and inquests for various committees, (often at short notice) to bring learning and key knowledge to the Trust.
- Experience in Court of Protection matters.
Person Specification
As per JD and Person Specificaiton
Essential
- A qualified solicitor or barrister of England and Wales or demonstrable equivalent significant experience of working as a legal advisor on healthcare matters.
- Demonstrable experience in healthcare law as a legal advisor on a variety of healthcare matters.
Desirable
- Ability to prepare comprehensive reports on claims and inquests for various committees, (often at short notice) to bring learning and key knowledge to the Trust.
- Experience in Court of Protection matters.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
