Job Summary
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is an incredibly rewarding place to work, offering a working environment with an inclusive culture that looks after and values our people and creates a sense of belonging.
The Legal Services team manage a portfolio of clinical negligence, public/employer liability claims and Inquests alongside the provision of ad hoc legal advice in relation to healthcare matters. The team manage an interesting and varied caseload which makes this a challenging but extremely satisfying and rewarding role.
There is frequent collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders and regular analysis and interpretation of complex information.
This role offers the opportunity to manage a varied and complex caseload, to utilise advocacy skills in the Coroner's Court, alongside the provision of ad-hoc medico-legal advice.
Main Duties of the Job
The Deputy Head of Legal Services is responsible for providing professional in-house legal advice and services across a range of matters but in particular in relation to medico-legal issues.
The role also includes management of a mixed caseload of clinical negligence/employer and public liability claims and inquests managing these in accordance with Trust policies, requirements of NHS Resolution and relevant legislation/regulations.
The post holder will provide advice and guidance on Trust wide policies relevant to claims management and coronial law and processes. They will assist in the team's liaison with NHS Resolution, HM Coroner, external panel law firms and senior members of the Chief Medical Officer's management team and senior clinicians and operational colleagues.
The role requires excellent organisation skills, attention to detail and ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing workloads/priorities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Educated to degree level in law/legal practice with appropriate post-graduate level courses or substantial experience at a comparable level.
* Recent experience/traineeship managing clinical negligence/employer liability claims to Masters level equivalent.
* Evidence of CPD.
Desirable
* ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) or similar qualification.
Experience
Essential
* Previous Coronial/Inquest management experience.
* Experience of staff management.
* Able to demonstrate a clear understanding of CPR, the claims process and MHC Rules & Regulations.
* Strong technical knowledge in areas relevant to legal healthcare practice.
* Good understanding of the principles of investigations management, root cause analysis techniques and Clinical Governance.
* Understanding data -- extracts, collates, quantitatively analyses and validates data, recognising alternative solutions where necessary.
Desirable
* Experience of working within a healthcare law setting.
* Previous experience of managing inquests.
* Advocacy experience.
* Implementing risk and case management systems.
* Experience of quality management processes and quality improvement mechanisms.
* Teaching/Training experience.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Ability to rapidly assimilate a range of complex information and provide advice.
* Strong problem-solving ability and capacity to recognise alternative solutions where necessary.
* Strong team management and workload management skills.
* Ability to interpret national policy and guidance, identify local implications and apply implementation to a local setting.
* Ability to manage, prioritise and deliver a number of projects and work programmes within timescales.
* Ability to lead and supervise teams and work in a collegiate manner.
* Ability to deal with conflicting demands ensuring key priorities and deadlines are met through effective time management.
* Ability to think strategically and see the 'bigger picture'.
* Ability to devise innovative systems and methods of working with minimal guidance.
* Good standard of computer literacy including word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
* Makes clear recommendations indicating benefits/consequences and identify risks.
* Strong interpersonal skills.
* Excellent communication skills.
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.
Employer Name: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trustwide, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH
Salary: £53,755 to £60,504 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference Number: 11619
Date Posted: 12 February 2025
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