Paralegal

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Click on this link to find out about our values https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/p/about-us/our-trust-values

Job overview

We are looking for a Paralegal who shares our passion to support staff in the delivery of outstanding healthcare and demonstrates the Trust’s values to achieve that aim.

We recognise that working inhouse is a niche role and would be keen to hear from candidates with claims management experience who have an interest in working in the NHS. Whilst experience working within Defendant clinical negligence would be advantageous, we welcome applications from candidates with demonstrable case management experience.

This is a 12 month fixed term post to cover a period of maternity leave.

Please do contact us for an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Paralegal is to support the Healthcare Legal Services Team in the provision of a dedicated in-house legal service, which includes the following core areas:

• Claims: management of clinical negligence and third party claims, in line with NHSR’s schemes. We work closely with clinicians and our Divisions to robustly defend claims, protecting the interests of the Trust.
• Healthcare advice: including but not limited to consent, capacity, data protection, Mental Capacity Act, and Mental Health Act, for both adults and children. We manage High Court Applications inhouse, at a significant cost saving to the Trust.
• Disclosure requests: assisting the police and local authority on childcare and criminal proceedings, where the Trust may not be a party to proceedings. We have experience of managing complex childcare proceedings inhouse, as the South West regional centre for children.
• Inquests: support and representation of staff in the Coroner’s Court. We work closely with our local Coroners on a large portfolio of inquests.
• Training: internal and external training on above core areas of work.

Working for our organisation

Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• Law degree or equivalent

• Completion of LPC or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of managing clinical negligence claims or similar volume of work with competing deadlines
• Practical knowledge of the Pre-Action Protocol and Civil Procedure Rules

• Experience of working in the NHS or in an inhouse environment
• Experience of delivering training
• Knowledge of medical terminology

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to understand, analyse, and advise on liability and quantum with attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders to provide pragmatic advice and advocate for a desired outcome
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a stressful environment, displaying resilience
• Reliable point of contact for clinicians who require support
• Displays initiative and a willingness to learn
• Passionate about working in conjunction with the Clinical Divisions to effect learning from claims

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.