Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated person to join the Legal Services Team (Nursing, Midwifery and Quality Division) within the Patient Safety, Risk and Legal department at GHNT.
Reporting to the Head of Risk and Patient Safety, the post holder will work within our Legal Department to ensure the effective management of the Trust's Legal team, ensuring pro-active management of claims and inquests in accordance with statutory requirements and national and local best practice guidelines.
Highly developed specialist legal knowledge of the processes and procedures associated with the management of clinical and non-clinical claims, Coronial law, consent, and Duty of Candour legislation is essential.
Among other duties, the successful candidate will take day-to-day responsibility for the implementation and delivery of the Trust's claims and inquest management, consent and the Duty of Candour policies and provide line management and leadership to the legal team. The post holder will be responsible for the provision of advice and the principal point of contact for staff wishing to obtain legal advice in appropriate areas.The post holder should be an experienced manager with a proven track record of managing staff. They will also be experienced and skilled in producing, analysing and presenting claims data, to inform organisational learning and improve patient safety.
Main duties of the job
To act as lead for the litigation, Consent and Duty of Candour function of the Trust which encompasses:
- The management of all clinical negligence, public and employer liability claims against the Trust, including the assessment and analysis of claims to determine whether or not they should be reported to NHSR and completion of relevant documentation;
- The management of all inquests across the Trust;
- The provision of advice and also the principal point of contact for staff wishing to obtain legal advice in appropriate areas;
- The investigation and proactive management of complex and non-complex claims in conjunction with the NHS Resolution and panel solicitors, giving consideration to issues of breach of duty and causation until claims are settled or discontinued;
- The management of requests from HM Coroners, to gather and provide relevant information and identify witnesses in respect of inquests;
- Ensuring that Duty of Candour Regulations are met as part of the Patient Safety framework;
- Inform Executive Directors of any risks to the Trust and attend inquests as the Trust's representative, where appropriate;
- The development and delivery of educational programmes related to patient legal issues at all levels across the organisation;
- Support the Patient Safety agenda and any associated projects;
- Be the responsible person for liaising with external stakeholders for legal issues and supporting systems;
About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Law degree
Specialist training diploma, or theoretical and practical experience of claims management and inquests to post graduate diploma level or equivalent.
LPC
Completed training contract / Admission to Roll of Solicitors
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE
Ability to assess, interpret and analyse claims in order to prepare a preliminary analysis.
Highly developed specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory and in-depth practical experience of the procedures and processes associated with the management of clinical negligence and public/employee liability claims and the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules and Pre-Action Protocols.
Detailed knowledge of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST)
Extensive research and investigation skills.
Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Excellent communication skills and presentation skills.
Sound practical understanding of leadership style/skills.
Organisational and time management skills;
Knowledge of NHS policies and procedures.
Evidence of change management.
EXPERIENCE
Demonstrable knowledge and experience of Consent and Duty of Candour requirements.
Experience of human resource management.
Proven ability to represent the Trust at Inquests
Leadership and management within a team
Sound working knowledge and experience of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records Act, GDPR, Legal Case Law and NHSR Guidelines.
Experience of communicating delicate, complex and sensitive information
Evidence of an ability to prioritise workload for themselves and their team.
Critical thinking
Working knowledge of hospital departments, functions and detailed knowledge of medical terminology.
Working knowledge of electronic data management system.
Extensive experience of liaising with the Coroner and Officers
Project management experience and delivery of objectives
DISPOSITION
Good team worker
Enthusiastic & flexible.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Demonstrable organisational skills.
Forward-looking
Motivated & hard working.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Meets the requirements of UK Border and Immigration/ISA
Job description
Job responsibilities
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Law degree
Specialist training diploma, or theoretical and practical experience of claims management and inquests to post graduate diploma level or equivalent.
LPC
Completed training contract / Admission to Roll of Solicitors
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE
Ability to assess, interpret and analyse claims in order to prepare a preliminary analysis.
Highly developed specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory and in-depth practical experience of the procedures and processes associated with the management of clinical negligence and public/employee liability claims and the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules and Pre-Action Protocols.
Detailed knowledge of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST)
Extensive research and investigation skills.
Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Excellent communication skills and presentation skills.
Sound practical understanding of leadership style/skills.
Organisational and time management skills;
Knowledge of NHS policies and procedures.
Evidence of change management.
EXPERIENCE
Demonstrable knowledge and experience of Consent and Duty of Candour requirements.
Experience of human resource management.
Proven ability to represent the Trust at Inquests
Leadership and management within a team
Sound working knowledge and experience of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records Act, GDPR, Legal Case Law and NHSR Guidelines.
Experience of communicating delicate, complex and sensitive information
Evidence of an ability to prioritise workload for themselves and their team.
Critical thinking
Working knowledge of hospital departments, functions and detailed knowledge of medical terminology.
Working knowledge of electronic data management system.
Extensive experience of liaising with the Coroner and Officers
Project management experience and delivery of objectives
DISPOSITION
Good team worker
Enthusiastic & flexible.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Demonstrable organisational skills.
Forward-looking
Motivated & hard working.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Meets the requirements of UK Border and Immigration/ISA
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Law Degree
- Specialist training diploma, or theoretical and practical experience of claims management and inquests to post graduate diploma level or equivalent
Desirable
- LPC
- Completed training contract / Admission to Roll of Solicitors
Special Requirements
Essential
- Meets the requirements of UK Border and Immigration/ISA
Skills/Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to assess, interpret and analyse claims in order to prepare a preliminary analysis
- Highly developed specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory and in-depth practical experience of the procedures and processes associated with the management of clinical negligence and public/employee liability claims and the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules and Pre-Action Protocols
- Detailed knowledge of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST)
- Extensive research and investigation skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Excellent communication skills and presentation skills
- Sound practical understanding of leadership style/skills
- Organisational and time management skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS policies and procedures
- Evidence of change management
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of Consent and Duty of Candour requirements
- Experience of human resource management
- Proven ability to represent the Trust at Inquests
- Leadership and management within a team
- Sound working knowledge and experience of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records Act, GDPR, Legal Case Law and NHSR Guidelines
- Experience of communicating delicate, complex and sensitive information
- Evidence of an ability to prioritise workload for themselves and their team
- Critical thinking
Desirable
- Working knowledge of hospital departments, functions and detailed knowledge of medical terminology
- Working knowledge of electronic data management system
- Extensive experience of liaising with the Coroner and Officers
- Project management experience and delivery of objectives
Disposition
Essential
- Good team worker Enthusiastic & flexible
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrable organisational skills
- Forward-looking Motivated & hard working
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Law Degree
- Specialist training diploma, or theoretical and practical experience of claims management and inquests to post graduate diploma level or equivalent
Desirable
- LPC
- Completed training contract / Admission to Roll of Solicitors
Special Requirements
Essential
- Meets the requirements of UK Border and Immigration/ISA
Skills/Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to assess, interpret and analyse claims in order to prepare a preliminary analysis
- Highly developed specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory and in-depth practical experience of the procedures and processes associated with the management of clinical negligence and public/employee liability claims and the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules and Pre-Action Protocols
- Detailed knowledge of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST)
- Extensive research and investigation skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Excellent communication skills and presentation skills
- Sound practical understanding of leadership style/skills
- Organisational and time management skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS policies and procedures
- Evidence of change management
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of Consent and Duty of Candour requirements
- Experience of human resource management
- Proven ability to represent the Trust at Inquests
- Leadership and management within a team
- Sound working knowledge and experience of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records Act, GDPR, Legal Case Law and NHSR Guidelines
- Experience of communicating delicate, complex and sensitive information
- Evidence of an ability to prioritise workload for themselves and their team
- Critical thinking
Desirable
- Working knowledge of hospital departments, functions and detailed knowledge of medical terminology
- Working knowledge of electronic data management system
- Extensive experience of liaising with the Coroner and Officers
- Project management experience and delivery of objectives
Disposition
Essential
- Good team worker Enthusiastic & flexible
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrable organisational skills
- Forward-looking Motivated & hard working
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).
