Junior Paralegal / Paralegal

North Bristol NHS Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 45,000

Job description

NHS AfC: Band 5 / Band 6 (Dependent on experience)

Main area Legal Services Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 / Band 6 (Dependent on experience) Contract 9 months (Fixed term contract) Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week

Job ref 339-CNO1342-RUH

Site Southmead Hospital Town Southmead Salary £29,970 - £44,962 Per annum, pro rata for PT roles. (Dependent on experience). Salary period Yearly Closing 17/04/2025 23:59

Job overview

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.

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.

Detailed job description and main 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

• 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

• Law Degree or equivalent experience/qualifications
• Paralegal with at least one year's experience specialising in clinical negligence claims

Knowledge/skills/abilities

• 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)
• 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

• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure
• 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

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel [phone].

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Natalie Smith Job title Associate Director of Healthcare Legal Services Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01174149412