Claims and Inquest Officer in Knowsley

This is a great opportunity to join a fantastic team at an exciting time for the Trust. You will get unrivalled experience of Clinical Negligence and Public Liability claims, along with coronial and regulatory law. The post holder will support the Legal Services Managers in the management of NHS claims in an efficient and effective manner in order to meet internal and court mandated timescales and assist in maintaining systems to provide timely and high quality reports and documents in order for the Trust solicitors and NHS Resolution to assess the viability of claims. The post holder will also support the Legal Services Managers and the Trust generally, in preparing for and attending coronial inquests. The post holder will contribute to identifying and sharing lessons learned from claims in line with the Trust’s approach to continuous service improvement. The post holder will provide guidance on the claims process to support staff as required.

Main duties of the job:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all targets and processes relating to legal management and to be a point of reference within the department for other members of the team.
• Co‑ordinate the management of the Trust clinical negligence pre‑action and formal claims, to ensure acknowledgement and management of claim is provided within the designated timeframes.
• Manage your own caseload of pre‑litigated claims, litigated claims, and inquests.
• Use the Trust’s electronic database to register and manage claims and inquests.
• Report any new potential claims to NHS Resolution.
• Identify staff involved in the allegation of claim and request reports and statements both internal and external to the Trust to ensure a comprehensive investigation and preliminary reports on liability and causation.
• Check disclosure documentation and obtain consent where necessary prior to release.
• Co‑ordinate draft letters to the Trust and claimant solicitors, ensuring these are correct and filed appropriately.
• Monitor timescales and ensure these are adhered to, eg within 4 months in respect of reply to formal letter of claim.
• Check all documentation to be released complies with legislation, including Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR 2016 Regulations.
• Undertake claims reviews as directed by the Legal Services Managers and Head of Complaints and Legal Services.
• Update staff who have been involved in allegations of a claim, including final outcome.
• Assess all new claims for quantum and expected probability of success, working under the direction of the Legal Services Manager and Head of Complaints and Legal Services.
• Deal with inquest requests, requesting and checking relevant documentation, attending court and providing feedback to the Trust as required.
• Assist in the preparation of witness statements for the purpose of inquests.
• Participate, as necessary, with Trust internal investigation processes.
• Liaise directly with coroner’s officers in relation to the arrangements for inquests.
• Provide guidance to staff relating to the claims process to ensure staff are aware of what is required and ensure support is provided to staff where needed, escalating any concerns to the Legal Services Manager.
• Identify any lessons learned and actions taken following claims and inquests and record on the Trust’s electronic system to enable wider sharing and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to standard setting and the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies and guidelines.
• To undertake any further training which may be relevant to the post.
• Attend conferences with solicitors, counsel, experts and clinicians.
• Attend inquests on behalf of the Trust and support Trust staff who have been called as witnesses.
• Provide and support managers with a wide range of administrative and computer skills as well as maintaining a range of knowledge and understanding of procedures, protocols and functions.
• To work in partnership with others and as part of cross directorate teams to deliver successful outcomes.
• Schedule and arrange meetings including the compilation of agenda and the taking and transcribing of formal minutes as required.
• Work autonomously acting on own initiative to prioritise workload.
• Act as first point of contact for the department, dealing with routine and specialist enquiries, communicating relevant information to stakeholders, referring to others as appropriate.
• Ensure that general office supply levels are maintained.
• Responsible for sorting of all incoming post and ensure distribution to the relevant departments and to ensure that all outgoing post is documented and sent recorded delivery when requested.
• Promote the image of the department, checking that notices and leaflets are up to date and well presented.
• Ensure that all complaints, comments and suggestions are dealt with appropriately, in accordance with policy, resolving where possible and escalating to line manager when appropriate.
• Have a flexible/adaptable approach to their work in order to meet various deadlines.

Administrative responsibilities:

• Provide and receive complex information which may contain contentious and sensitive information.
• Communicate and engage with external and internal stakeholders which may require negotiation skills and understand the needs/requirements of other organisations, senior professionals and individuals.
• Update and maintain database and/or spreadsheets relevant to work area.
• Deal with confidential and sensitive documents/issues, maintaining the strictest confidentiality and discretion at all times. This may include information of a distressing nature.
• Be aware of and assist with service improvement regarding claims and across the Trust as a whole.
• Prepare claims outcomes and lessons learnt forms following closure of litigation cases.
• Ensure all information to enable a complete investigation is available reporting any discrepancies to the Office Manager.
• Identify service improvement opportunities and to work with the Legal Services Manager to develop and evaluate these opportunities.
• Collate and report data for use in service improvement.
• Prepare and deliver briefings, reports and presentations on your work area to colleagues within and outside the Trust.

Teaching & training responsibilities:

• Participate in the induction of new staff, provide mentoring and to participate in educating others about the role of Legal Services Department.

Person specification:

• Qualifications: Diploma or equivalent knowledge and skills in relevant field, ECDL and/or equivalent qualification and/or experience.
• Knowledge and Experience: Experience of Trust information systems eg Datix, DTS; Experience of NHS claims handling and the NHS Litigation Authority; Experience of dealing with the members of the public and/or patients; Knowledge of data protection, Freedom of Information, Caldicott requirements; Knowledge of coronial law management; Experience of dealing with solicitors, police and Coroner’s Office; Experience of attending court proceedings; Working without supervision; Planning and organising workload to meet deadlines.
• Skills: Able to work in a team; Able to use own initiative; Ability to manage own caseload; Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to effectively communicate verbally and non‑verbally with staff and members of the public from all backgrounds; Able to write reports; Able to work autonomously; Demonstrates awareness of need for updating training needs relevant to the area; Strong organisational skills; Ability to work under pressure and produce high quality work to tight deadlines; Awareness of requirement for patient and staff confidentiality; Ability to train staff in use of systems and procedures.
• Other: Flexible approach to work; Ability to travel to various locations by own car/assisted driver.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from underrepresented groups.