Panel Accreditation Manager

Key responsibilities:

• Main Purpose of the Job: To ensure the panel reflects AvMA’s values and that where possible the panel is managed in line with our strategic plan.
• To manage and oversee the operation of the specialist AvMA clinical negligence panel, ensuring the qualifying requirements for panel applicants are relevant and up to date.
• The assessment of panel applications and interviewing of applicants.
• Convening meetings of the panel committee, drafting agendas for those meetings and identifying issues to be discussed.
• Identify ways for the AvMA panel application process to become more streamlined, efficient and supportive of lawyers making panel applications.
• To develop the process to ensure it is fit for purpose, relevant and continues to meet the needs of the public.
• Ensuring the AvMA database of panel membership and special interests is kept up to date.
• Giving informal advice to solicitors enquiring about panel membership requirements, liaising and meeting with firms as required.
• Travelling and attending key networking events, including AvMA’s annual conference and AvMA annual panel meeting, engaging with potential AvMA panel applicants, promoting the benefits of accreditation and the junior scheme (Certificates Competence Scheme (CCS)).
• Speaking at panel meetings and generally to promote the panel.
• Working with the conference department to identify relevant topics for panel meetings and conference events.
• To improve on the current re-accreditation process to make it more streamlined and user friendly for applicants.
• To ensure relevant data from panel applications is captured on the CRM.
• Regular analysis of panel data, findings shared with AvMA senior leadership team and more widely where appropriate.
• To pursue AvMA’s EDI strategy by considering ways in which the panel can be developed to ensure panel members are as ethnically diverse as possible.
• To liaise with AvMA’s conference department to advise on any training which may be required to strengthen AvMA panel members' knowledge and information base.
• To work with the Director Medico Legal services in assessing applications for Certificate of Competence Scheme (CCS) for juniors.
• To update and work on the Certificates Competence Scheme including organising applicant feedback to ensure this scheme continues to be fit for purpose.
• To inform and work with panel applicant mentors in strengthening the scheme.
• To deliver on administrative requirements such as quarterly reports for trustees, working with AvMA’s Service Delivery Quality and Outreach Committee (SDQOC) as required.
• Dealing with queries raised by AvMA Panel applicants and/or juniors who may have had their applications rejected.
• Ensuring AvMA panel template letters and documents are updated.
• Speaking publicly about requirements for AvMA panel membership, common pitfalls and how to overcome them.
• To consider client complaints about panel members to determine whether the threshold for disciplinary action under AvMA’s Panel procedures is met.
• To manage disciplinary procedure for AvMA Panel members, identify and liaise with adjudicators, prepare documentation, set up the hearing.
• To manage appeals against rejection of an application for accreditation/reaccreditation, liaise with adjudicators.
• To keep on top of any government, regulatory or other policy changes which may affect the way in which patients can access justice, recover damages and seek redress for adverse clinical outcomes.
• To develop and grow the AvMA panel accreditation and Certificates Competence scheme membership; to identify cost efficiencies and maximum engagement with AvMA accredited panel solicitors.
• Any other duties associated with the role.

Skills and Experience:

• Administration of the AvMA Panel: The bulk of the administration and management tasks do not require specialist skills; however, assistance is provided by the PA to the CEO when required.
• AvMA has a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) driven computer system throughout the organisation, and the applicant should be confident with sufficient IT skills to onboard the new system.
• The CRM works with Microsoft Dynamics 365, intended to manage, track and store information.
• Tasks such as updating and preparing new panel application documents and report forms will require medical and legal input.
• The role would suit someone who has a legal background, ideally qualified as a solicitor or barrister, preferably with clinical negligence accreditation.
• A medical background would be helpful.
• The Panel Accreditation Manager is primarily responsible for the assessment of new panel accreditation applications.
• The role would suit someone who has practised as a claimant clinical negligence lawyer.
• The successful applicant should be confident in assessing former peers and colleagues in a fair and impartial way.
• Discretion and respecting confidentiality are key qualities for this role.
• Reaccreditation assessments are done internally by the Panel Accreditation Manager, occasionally with assistance from the internal panel assessment team.
• AvMA aims to make reaccreditations more straightforward for practitioners.
• In addition to assessing AvMA panel applications and reaccreditations, the Panel Accreditation Manager will need to assess applications from accredited panel members who have changed firms.
• The Panel Application Manager needs to be confident that the new firm can meet the minimum standards and supervision requirements.
• From time to time, first-time applicants may demonstrate that they largely meet the core criteria for AvMA Panel membership but may require improvement.
• The Panel Accreditation Manager is responsible for following up that review and examining progress made.
• There are about 3 interim reviews per annum, currently not exceeding 6.

Other:

• To support the Events Department’s quality initiatives and to suggest continuing improvements where needs arise.
• To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as may be required.
• Deputise for the Head of Events when necessary.