At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Legal Services function and manage healthcare legal matters.
- Company: Join Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in patient care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare by managing critical legal issues.
- Qualifications: Law degree and extensive experience in healthcare law required.
The predicted salary is between 57528 - 64750 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced legal professional to lead the Legal Services function at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. This senior, Trust-wide role provides specialist leadership, advice and assurance across a broad range of healthcare legal matters. The postholder will lead the management of clinical negligence, public and employers' liability claims and inquests, while providing specialist advice on consent, Duty of Candour, mental capacity, mental health law and complex medico-legal matters.
Working closely with the Associate Director of Patient Safety and Risk, Executive Directors, senior clinicians and managers, you will identify and escalate legal, regulatory, financial, reputational and patient-safety risks and ensure learning from claims, inquests and Prevention of Future Deaths matters informs organisational improvement. You will lead and develop the Legal Services Team and work with colleagues across the Trust and external partners including NHS Resolution, HM Coroners, solicitors and counsel.
We are seeking an experienced healthcare legal professional with excellent leadership, judgement, communication and influencing skills. This is a full-time post, but flexible working will be considered.
Main duties of the job
- Lead the Trust's Legal Services function, providing specialist legal advice, operational leadership and governance assurance.
- Manage clinical negligence, public and employers' liability claims, working with NHS Resolution, solicitors, counsel and clinical teams.
- Lead the management of inquests, coordinating responses to HM Coroners, supporting witnesses and representing the Trust where appropriate.
- Provide specialist advice on consent, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, deprivation of liberty, disclosure, safeguarding, Duty of Candour and complex medico-legal matters.
- Identify and escalate significant legal, financial, regulatory, reputational and patient-safety risks.
- Lead learning from claims, inquests and Prevention of Future Deaths Reports, linking themes with incidents, complaints and patient-safety intelligence.
- Develop relevant Trust policies, guidance and staff training.
- Lead and develop the Legal Services Team and manage the service budget and external legal expenditure.
- Provide assurance, performance and learning reports to Trust governance committees.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
- Law Degree or equivalent legal qualification.
- Current practising certificate or professional registration as a solicitor, barrister, or chartered legal executive.
- Extensive specialist knowledge and experience of clinical negligence, public and employers' liability claims, inquests and healthcare law.
- Experience of working in healthcare legal settings.
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to healthcare legal services.
- Substantial experience of managing complex clinical and non-clinical claims and inquests in a healthcare setting.
- Experience of liaison with NHS Resolution, HM Coroners and Coroners' Officers, panel solicitors, counsel, regulators and partner agencies.
- Experience of providing authoritative legal advice and assurance to executive directors, senior managers, clinicians and governance committees.
- Experience of representing an organisation at inquests, case conferences or mediations within professional competence, status and delegated authority.
- Experience of instructing and managing external legal advisers and monitoring legal costs and financial exposure.
- Experience of leading Trust-wide policy development, implementation, review, audit, training and organisational learning.
- Experience of claims-performance monitoring, trend analysis and triangulation with incidents, complaints, inquests, and patient-safety intelligence.
- Experience of managing staff, including workforce planning, recruitment, induction, appraisal, performance management, development and workload allocation.
- Experience of budget management, authorised expenditure and effective use of resources within agreed limits.
- Experience of communicating and working effectively with bereaved or distressed families and staff involved in serious incidents or litigation.
Desirable
- Postgraduate or Master's-level study in a relevant legal, healthcare or governance subject, or equivalent specialist knowledge acquired through substantial relevant experience.
- Legal Practice Course, Bar training or equivalent professional legal training.
- Qualification or specialist training in patient safety, healthcare governance, the Mental Health Act or Mental Capacity Act.
- Experience of Mental Health Tribunal, Hospital Managers' hearing, Court of Protection or High Court matters.
- Experience of contributing to mortality or Learning from Deaths assurance.
- Experience of working with Communications, Finance and Corporate Governance functions on legal, media, insurance or indemnity matters.
Other
- Access to transport to enable fulfilment of travel requirements.
Legal Services Manager employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Services Manager
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
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We think you need these skills to ace Legal Services Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at National Health Service, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in National Health Service and the specific role of Legal Services Manager. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for National Health Service’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Health Service
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at National Health Service.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at National Health Service.
