Deputy Head of Legal Services

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a well-established and high-performing team within the Legal Services Department.

You will need to have recent and significant experience in the field of healthcare law and management of people within a legal team environment. You should be self-motivated and enthusiastic, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, an eye for accuracy and detail, and a desire to ensure high quality care and services to patients, staff and the public.

You will deputise for the Head of Legal Services in all matters, and be responsible for line management of Legal Services staff as required.

You will be responsible for providing legal advice and services to Trust staff across a wide range of matters, including supporting clinical teams in learning from claims and inquests, and contributing to other patient safety initiatives.

An ability to work with minimal supervision and manage day to day systems, processes and teams whilst managing a personal workload is essential.

Main duties of the job

To provide professional in-house legal advice and services across a range of matters, but particularly in relation to medico-legal issues; undertake factual investigations of Clinical Negligence, Public Liability and Employers Liability claims against the Trust in accordance with Trust policies and the requirements of NHS Resolution; liaise with HM Coroner as required providing appropriate legal representation for the Trust and its staff in the Coroner's Court; contribute to the Trust’s Risk Management and Clinical Governance processes; provide medico-legal training for Trust staff; to deputise for the Head of Legal Services in all matters, including line management, leadership and support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for details on the main duties and responsibilities.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.