Paralegal

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a keen, enthusiastic, highly motivated individual to join the in-house Legal Team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The team are passionate about learning lessons from legal claims, inquests and advisory work and supporting staff in the delivery of outstanding healthcare and patient experience.

This role is to assist the in-house team as well as external solicitors in the day to day case management of legal claims, inquests and healthcare legal advice.

The role will involve undertaking day to day management of inquests, clinical and non-clinical claims with appropriate supervision. You should have a minimum one year's experience as a Paralegal specialising in inquests, medical negligence and/or personal injury claims and/or equivalent experience or ILEX qualification or a Law degree.

As an organisation we offer opportunities for training and development, access to the NHS Pension Scheme, NHS discount, as well as access to onsite wellbeing and childcare facilities.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for managing a caseload of Inquests, Police requests, Employer’s Liability and Public Liability Claims and CNST (Clinical Negligence) Claims.

Where necessary provide assistance and support to colleagues in the Legal Services Department, to ensure that contentious Inquests and Claims (including Employer’s Liability, Public Liability, and Clinical Negligence Claims) are managed effectively. The post holder will be expected to liaise with staff at all levels, keeping them informed of claim file developments and ensuring that investigations are undertaken thoroughly and on a timely basis.

The post holder will be expected to work under their own initiative and plan their workload in accordance with the demands of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist skills in healthcare law, supporting the management of a varied caseload of inquests, clinical negligence claims, employer and public liability claims, and police requests.

Working closely with clinicians, managers, NHS Resolution, external solicitors and the Coroner's Office, you will play a key role in investigating claims and inquests, gathering and analysing evidence, preparing documentation, supporting witnesses, and ensuring cases are managed effectively and within required timescales.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of inquests, claims and police requests.
• Review and analyse medical records and other evidence to support investigations.
• Obtain witness statements and liaise with clinical and non-clinical staff.
• Support the preparation and management of Coroner's inquests, including witness support and attendance at hearings.
• Investigate employer and public liability claims and provide recommendations on liability.
• Liaise with NHS Resolution, external solicitors, Coroner's Officers and other stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate case management records and databases.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legal frameworks, NHS Resolution schemes and Trust policies.
• Support the wider Legal Services team with legal and governance matters as required.

About You

The successful candidate will have excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex information. Experience of legal case management, investigations, healthcare, governance or regulatory environments would be advantageous. You will be able to work independently, manage competing priorities and build effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to patient safety, organisational learning and legal risk management within a busy NHS Trust environment.

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.