Role overview ASSOCIATE EXPERT WITNESS (MEDICO LEGAL REPORT WRITING) NATIONWIDE SELF EMPLOYED HIGH EARNING POTENTIAL As a clinical professional with over 10 years’ experience, are you looking to use your knowledge and experience to support the medico-legal sector? We are currently looking to grow our UK-wide network of expert witnesses with the following expertise: Paediatric nursing Paediatric occupational therapy Paediatric physiotherapy Tissue viability Emergency care Intensive Care Unit Cannulation Prescribing Theatre nursing Nurse with Health Visitor experience Oncology nursing With one of the largest and fastest growing networks, we are renowned for our scale, expertise and objectivity and have been relied upon and trusted to support law firms and the insurance sector for over 30 years. What is an Expert Witness? As a self-employed member of our panel of associates you can expect to work with some of the UK’s leading solicitors and insurers as well as likeminded people at Bush & Co who challenge the status quo, care about what they do, learn from each other and never take their eyes off the end goal; we think that’s pretty special. As an expert witness you will work with claimant and defendant solicitors representing clients who have suffered catastrophic injury to: • Identify liability through case reviews where clinical negligence or personal injury may have occurred. And/or • Assess the quantum of an injury, taking into account the individual and their life pre-injury, the impact it has had on everyday life and their needs going forward. What can Bush & Company offer you? • Competitive fees – We offer a financial package that is reflective of your high levels of expertise and experience as a self-employed expert witness. • Flexible working - You will have complete control over when and how much work you take on and because of our scale you won’t have to travel far in most cases. • Support with transitioning to becoming an independent expert – All our expert witnesses have access to continuous professional development including report writing, courtroom skills and guidance on the latest case law. We also provide regular networking opportunities and mentoring across the UK to develop relationships with your peers and expand your knowledge. • Marketing support – You don’t have to worry about generating work or promoting yourself as we ensure you’re known across the industry through customer marketing, an online search tool and regular monitoring and updates to your professional CV. Where you do wish to promote yourself and Bush & Co further we also provide dedicated marketing support with your teaching materials. • Finance support – Our Finance team will ensure your finances are looked after with rigorous invoicing and payment processes. • Guidance on governance – To ensure you remain compliant not only as an expert witness but as a self-employed professional. • Quality Assurance support – Our QA team will ensure your reports are consistent and of the highest quality whilst adhering to legal protocol and without influencing the report content. • Administrative Support - Our team of administrators offer support with managing trial diaries, your capacity, and report formatting as well as instructions from the medico-legal sector. Key requirements • You will have 10 years’ minimum postgraduate experience in the appropriate field. • For care experts, experience of rehabilitation in the community is desirable. Experience should also include the assessment of care needs and the awareness of the difficulties associated with the implementation of care packages, whether that is by agency or directly employed care. • Intention to remain up-to-date in terms of expertise and continuing professional development for imminent future and until settlement of your final case. • Comprehensive grasp of spoken English and high standards of written English with attention to detail. • Current car driving licence or the ability to travel via public transport with ease. • Dedicated working space at home or in a rented office that offers secure storage for documents. • Access to a suitable PC/laptop and telephone. • Ability and stamina to prepare lengthy reports using the company report template. (training provided) Key competencies • Ability to make decisions with relative ease, ability to take risks in relation to decisions, as and when required. • Ability to support opinion/recommendations with sound clinical reasoning as well as the evidence made available. • Ability to assess the situation and then prioritise, for example, when to take a global view, when to focus on detail and when to or when not to compromise. • Ability to be proactive in managing all issues associated with the case and be responsive to any administrative tasks such as emails, phone calls etc. as required. • Self-confident and assertive. Must have the ability to project a professional image at case conferences and at Court. Must be able to deal with lawyers, medical experts and other professionals confidently and appropriately. • Ability to manage own time. Ability to cope under pressure, particularly in relation to fluctuating workload and conflicting commitments. • Ability to work independently but at the same time be aware of your own limitations. • Ability to build rapport quickly with others. • Ability to undertake a holistic assessment, pick up on non-verbal cues, empathise with a person’s situation and relate to different people from different social classes and backgrounds. • Ability to pay attention to detail in relation to your assessment and in relation to all written work. • Being conscientious and taking pride in your work. • Ability to be flexible in terms of your working hours and days, particularly in terms of last-minute Court cancellations/deadlines/additional work etc. If you are interested in joining our panel of Associate Case Managers please submit a summary of your clinical experience. More information can be obtained by visiting our website www.bushco.co.uk We particularly welcome expressions of interest from black and minority ethnic candidates as we are currently under represented in this area in our business.