Inquests Paralegal in Cardiff

Legal & Risk Services is a division of the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, based in Cardiff, which provides a litigation and comprehensive legal advisory service to the NHS. The above positions provide a unique opportunity to develop your skills in an informal but challenging environment. We have an exciting opportunity for a Paralegal to join our Inquest Team and assist in the day-to-day management of Inquests for Local Health Boards (LHB) and NHS Trusts in Wales, under close supervision of a Senior Lawyer.

The ideal candidate for this position must have good communication skills, a confident approach to work and can demonstrate our core values:

• Listening and Learning
• Working together
• Taking responsibility
• Innovating

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job:

The post holder will be responsible for opening new enquiries, liaising with Coroner’s officers, attending inquest hearings at court and helping witnesses navigate the inquest process. This will include reviewing medical records/reports, drafting letters to obtain evidence and assisting in the investigation of inquests. The post holder will need to establish and maintain good working relationships with inquest handlers, clinicians, health care professionals, colleagues within NWSSP Legal & Risk Services, Court officers, witnesses and experts.

Working for our organisation:

At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating. Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and we pride ourselves on being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on the wellbeing and belonging of our people. Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both our internal and external customers. Offering a comprehensive benefits package, there is something for everyone.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents.

Person specification:

• Qualifications and Knowledge: Law Degree (or equivalent) or equivalent CILEX qualifications, LPC (or equivalent), Knowledge of courts and litigation process.
• Experience: Experience of working in a legal office environment, Experience of dealing with confidential, sensitive data with an understanding of the maintenance and storage of sensitive records, Understanding of the need to adhere to office guidelines and procedures, Working to deadlines, Defendant/Claimant personal injury or clinical negligence.
• Skills and Attributes: Ability to communicate in all formats, in plain English, Analytical negotiating ability, Ability to liaise and communicate with both internal and external personnel at all levels confidently, IT Skills/Computer literate to include the ability to learn new technologies and IT introduced, Ability to prioritise and organise own work, Ability to recognise own capabilities, Evidence of excellent client care skills.

Values: Demonstrate how your personal qualities match against our NWSSP core values: Listening and learning, Working together, Taking responsibility.

Other: Willing to undertake further professional development, Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in Welsh. We are committed to flexible working and equal opportunities.

If you are shortlisted for interview you will be contacted by email using the email address with which you registered. Please ensure that you check your email account regularly. Prior consideration for this vacancy will be given to staff awaiting redeployment. We therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage. When applying for this post it is essential that you read the Job Description and Person Specification (where available) and demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the person specification. Only candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.