Junior Paralegal / Paralegal
Job Description
Job summary
An excellent opportunity has arisen for a keen, enthusiastic, highly motivated individual to join the Healthcare Legal Services Team at North Bristol NHS Trust on a 9 month fixed term contract, starting as soon as possible.
This role will involve undertaking day to day management of clinical negligence claims and some inquests, with appropriate supervision. You should have a minimum one year's experience as a Paralegal specialising in medical negligence claims and/or equivalent experience. Experience in inquest work is desirable.
There will also be opportunities in the role to assist the solicitors/legal executive in the day to day case management of legal claims, inquests and healthcare legal advice.
This is an exciting opportunity and we look forward to hearing from you.
Main duties of the job
We are recruiting to the exciting role of a Junior Paralegal / Paralegal (Band 5/6 Dependent on experience).
The role is a full time post, but part time will be considered. The successful postholder will undertake day to day management of clinical negligence claims and some inquests (with appropriate supervision), draft legal documents, undertake legal research of legislation and case law and assist in the provision of healthcare legal advice to healthcare staff on a wide range of topics. The role will also provide direct support to solicitors/legal executive within the in-house healthcare legal service.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an expanding team and provides an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge across a broad portfolio of legal claims, inquests and advisory work within a busy and supportive working environment.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust is one of the largest acute trusts in the South West of England. NBT is a National Health Service Trust providing hospital and community healthcare services to Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset. Southmead Hospital is a designated major trauma centre, as well as a regional referral centre for renal medicine, urology, vascular and transplant surgery, neurology and neurosurgery.
Job responsibilities
- Undertake day to day management of clinical negligence claims and some inquests, with appropriate supervision
- Provide direct support to the solicitors/legal executive within the in-house legal service in response to healthcare litigation, clinical negligence, personal injury, staff claims, occupiers liability and public liability claims, inquests and healthcare advice
- Draft legal documentation, undertake legal research of legislation and case law
- Comply with NHSR's Reporting Guidelines
- Comply with the Coroner's Rules and Regulations, and Coronial Law
Person Specification
Work Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable evidence of managing or assisting a solicitor/solicitors with a caseload of clinical negligence claims
- Experience of working in a legal office environment
Qualifications
Essential
- Law Degree or equivalent experience/qualifications
- Paralegal with at least one year's experience specialising in clinical negligence claims
Knowledge/skills/abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Ability to work as a member of a team
- Excellent communications skills, both oral and written
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Computer literate, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Powerpoint, Excel and Word)
Desirable
- Good knowledge of NHS
- Knowledge of NHSR, Clinical Procedural Rules, Pre-Action Protocols for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes
- Experience of Coroner's inquests and knowledge of the law relating to Coroner's inquests and investigations
- Ability to analyse clinical and legal information
Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances
Essential
- Ability to prioritise and work under pressure
Desirable
- Ability to communicate sensitive information on legal claims and inquests with staff and others
- Ability to negotiate legal settlements in respect of damages with appropriate supervision
- Analytical ability, to include reviewing medical records to identify staff to approach for input on inquests and obtaining statements from staff
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
North Bristol NHS Trust
Address
Southmead Hospital
Southmead
BS10 5NB
