Job summary We are seeking a Legal Services Officer, to play an important role in supporting the delivery of 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 is an interesting and varied role and presents an exciting opportunity for an individual who has an interest in health law and legal practice. This could be an ideal opportunity for someone with a law degree seeking to gain valuable practical experience on the path towards a career in the legal profession. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the King's Values. At King's we are a Kind, Respectful Team. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed. We support each other, communicate openly and put our patients at the centre. Main duties of the job The post holder will work closely with the Patient Safety, Patient Experience, and Quality Governance & Risk Management to provide support to our clinically led care groups across all of our sites. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and engaging who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment consistently delivering high quality outputs. We need someone who can truly demonstrate the King's values in their interactions with our internal and external stakeholder interactions. 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 more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of 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 aim to take Team King's to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. 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. Date posted 21 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £35,964 to £43,780 a year per annum, inc HCA Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 213-CORP-6700266 Job locations Denmark Hill London SE5 8ND Job description Job responsibilities Claims Handling Manage the litigation claims against the Trust for clinical negligence and employer/public liability cases in accordance with pre-action protocols, Civil Procedure Rules and NHS Resolution reporting requirements. This is a claims handling function panel will be appointed on all active claims and so the role is to respond to requests from panel who handle the day-to-day management of active files. Investigate claims for loss of personal property or damage to property and make recommendations on reimbursement. Inquests To assist the Associate Director of Legal in the conduct of Coroners Inquest cases by completing all preliminary and administrative tasks in the preparation of all such cases, including: Acting as primary liaison point with the Coroners Office and maintaining a professional and amicable working relationship with the various Coroners Officers; Management of frequent, unexpected and urgent requests for information and/or assistance from Coroners Officers which may require reprioritisation of work, exercising judgement having regard to the particular circumstances; Analysis and Data Management Responsible for maintaining the data within the Trusts inquests and claims database (Datix), ensuring that the data is accurate and up-to-date. Provide relevant information to the Associate Director of Legal as requested in order to form the wider Trust with regards to trends within the inquests and claims portfolio. Please see the attached Job description and person specification for the full main duties and responsibilities Job description Job responsibilities Claims Handling Manage the litigation claims against the Trust for clinical negligence and employer/public liability cases in accordance with pre-action protocols, Civil Procedure Rules and NHS Resolution reporting requirements. This is a claims handling function panel will be appointed on all active claims and so the role is to respond to requests from panel who handle the day-to-day management of active files. Investigate claims for loss of personal property or damage to property and make recommendations on reimbursement. Inquests To assist the Associate Director of Legal in the conduct of Coroners Inquest cases by completing all preliminary and administrative tasks in the preparation of all such cases, including: Acting as primary liaison point with the Coroners Office and maintaining a professional and amicable working relationship with the various Coroners Officers; Management of frequent, unexpected and urgent requests for information and/or assistance from Coroners Officers which may require reprioritisation of work, exercising judgement having regard to the particular circumstances; Analysis and Data Management Responsible for maintaining the data within the Trusts inquests and claims database (Datix), ensuring that the data is accurate and up-to-date. Provide relevant information to the Associate Director of Legal as requested in order to form the wider Trust with regards to trends within the inquests and claims portfolio. Please see the attached Job description and person specification for the full main duties and responsibilities Person Specification Qualifications/Education Essential CILEx Associate or Graduate (or equivalent), or Law Degree, or extensive relevant experience assisting in the management of personal injury claims and/or clinical negligence claims/ inquests. Knowledge/Experience Essential Knowledge of pre Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims Knowledge of relevant NHSR Reporting Guidelines and requirements Skills/Knowledge/ Ability Essential Good oral and written communication skills. The post holder must have an ability to communicate with all disciplines of staff, including (but not limited to) Patient Safety, individual members of staff involved in potential litigation or Coroner's inquests, Consultants, staff and Managers of all levels. The post holder must also have an ability to communicate with external stakeholders including (but not limited to) the NHSR, Panel and external solicitors, members of the public, patients/Claimants and their solicitors. Fully computer literate with knowledge of Windows, Excel & PowerPoint. Ability to prioritise own workload and work to deadlines. Person Specification Qualifications/Education Essential CILEx Associate or Graduate (or equivalent), or Law Degree, or extensive relevant experience assisting in the management of personal injury claims and/or clinical negligence claims/ inquests. Knowledge/Experience Essential Knowledge of pre Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims Knowledge of relevant NHSR Reporting Guidelines and requirements Skills/Knowledge/ Ability Essential Good oral and written communication skills. The post holder must have an ability to communicate with all disciplines of staff, including (but not limited to) Patient Safety, individual members of staff involved in potential litigation or Coroner's inquests, Consultants, staff and Managers of all levels. The post holder must also have an ability to communicate with external stakeholders including (but not limited to) the NHSR, Panel and external solicitors, members of the public, patients/Claimants and their solicitors. Fully computer literate with knowledge of Windows, Excel & PowerPoint. Ability to prioritise own workload and work to deadlines. 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address Denmark Hill London SE5 8ND Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)