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Job summary

Main area
Legal Services
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (per week)
Job ref
193-6937056CORB5Legal
Employer
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Town
Reading
Salary
£29,970 - £36,483 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/02/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust logo

Paralegal

NHS AfC: Band 5

Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements.  The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.  This is a great opportunity to join our clinical or non-clinical teams to create a positive and motivating environment within our trust.  Come and join our team in this exciting time of change as we pride ourselves, our staff and our services on excellence.

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”

We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions

We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate

We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live

We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice

Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us.  We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.  

 

Diversity is what makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a keen, enthusiastic, highly motivated individual to join the in-house Legal Team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.  The team are passionate about learning lessons from legal claims, inquests and advisory work and supporting staff in the delivery of outstanding healthcare and patient experience.  

This role is to assist the in-house team as well as external solicitors in the day to day case management of legal claims, inquests and healthcare legal advice. 

The role will involve undertaking day to day management of inquests, clinical and non-clinical claims with appropriate supervision. You should have a minimum one year's experience as a Paralegal specialising in inquests, medical negligence and/or personal injury claims and/or equivalent experience or ILEX qualification or a Law degree. 

 As an organisation we offer opportunities for training and development, access to the NHS Pension Scheme, NHS discount, as well as access to onsite wellbeing and childcare facilities.

Interview Date: TBC

 

Main duties of the job

We are recruiting to the exciting role of a Paralegal (Band 5).

The role is a full time post. This role will provide direct support to the Head of Legal Services and the Deputy Head of Legal within the in-house legal service team in response to healthcare litigation, clinical negligence, personal injury, staff claims and public liability claims, inquests and healthcare advice.

The successful postholder will undertake day to day management of clinical and non-clinical claims and 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 clinical staff on a wide range of topics.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an in-house 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. 

Working for our organisation

The Town of Reading sits on the River Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton. With excellent
leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and provides excellent facilities
for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.
The CQC recently rated the care provided by The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as good.

Our values; Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be and you can join our dedicated and
talented staff to make this happen.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Responsible for managing a caseload of Inquests, Police requests, Employer’s Liability and Public Liability Claims and CNST (Clinical Negligence) Claims.

 Where necessary provide assistance and support to colleagues in the Legal Services Department, to ensure that contentious Inquests and Claims (including Employer’s Liability, Public Liability, and Clinical Negligence Claims) are managed effectively. The post holder will be expected to liaise with staff at all levels, keeping them informed of claim file developments and ensuring that investigations are undertaken thoroughly and on a timely basis.

The post holder will be expected to work under their own initiative and plan their workload in accordance with the demands of the job.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • Law Degree (or equivalent)
  • Interest in Medical Law or Medico-Legal subject matter.
Desirable criteria
  • Qualification in Medical Law

Experience & Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Experience assisting in the management of personal injury claims and/or clinical negligence claims and/or inquests, or related subjects
  • Knowledge of the following guidelines, protocols and statutes: Pre Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims
  • Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes
  • Relevant NHSR Reporting Guidelines and requirements
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working within the NHS or with/for the NHSR.
  • Practical experience of managing own caseload of Clinical Negligence Claims & Inquests
  • Knowledge of: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and coronial law, DPA, SAR and FOI

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Stonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.National Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sabah Minhas
Job title
Head of Legal Services
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0118 322 5111
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