Job summary
To lead, support and develop our inhouse legal services team, ensuring the delivery of a proactive, compassionate and effective legal service to support our patients and staff across the Trust. This role will provide the Trust's Director of Quality Governance, Executive / senior management team and clinical/non-clinical staff with expert legal and practical advice in the areas of healthcare law, specialist litigation and Coronial legal work. Case work associate with this role includes leading the most complex clinical and non-clinical claims and supporting the legal team in the effective handling of factual investigations into clinical and non-clinical claim
Main duties of the job
For a full overview of the Head of Legal Services role, please refer to the attached job description.
About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital Trust in the county of Kent.
The Trust provides a full range of general hospital services and some areas of specialist complex care to around 500,000 people living in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.
The Trust's core catchment areas are Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and their surrounding boroughs. We work from two main clinical sites: Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. Tunbridge Wells Hospital opened in 2011 and provides single rooms with en-suites for all in-patients - the first of its kind in the country.
We employ over 6,500 full and part-time staff in a huge range of clinical and non-clinical roles across both of our hospital sites.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Knowledge of law and legal practice, acquired through degree and or a post graduate diploma in legal practice
Desirable
- Diploma in Risk or Claims Management
Experience / Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working within the NHS (within legal services)
- Experience of advocacy at pre-inquest hearings and inquests
Desirable
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices
skills
Essential
- Able to take evidence from witnesses and make submissions in court
- Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a range of professionals
Desirable
- Use of risk based computer systems to manage cases and prepare reports
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Knowledge of law and legal practice, acquired through degree and or a post graduate diploma in legal practice
Desirable
- Diploma in Risk or Claims Management
Experience / Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working within the NHS (within legal services)
- Experience of advocacy at pre-inquest hearings and inquests
Desirable
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices
skills
Essential
- Able to take evidence from witnesses and make submissions in court
- Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a range of professionals
Desirable
- Use of risk based computer systems to manage cases and prepare reports
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).
