Litigation Co-Ordinator

Litigation Co-Ordinator (Band 4)

Newry

Temporary (7 months)

The Client: Local Healthcare body based in Newry

The Role: Litigation Co-ordinator

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will support the Litigation Manager in the provision, management and development of the Trust's litigation services and will work closely with senior Trust staff and the Trust's Legal Advisors in relation to the management and investigation of new and pending litigation claims. The post-holder will also deal with Coroner's inquiries and arrangements for Inquest Hearings.

KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The post-holder will be required to carry out a range of duties which may include the following:-

DEALING WITH CLAIMS AND CORONERS' INQUIRIES

• Support the Litigation Manager in the management of clinical and social care negligence/employer liability and occupier liability claims in accordance with Trust Procedure.
• Support the Litigation Manager in the management of requests from the NI Coroner's Office and ensuring that any requests are responded to fully and accurately.
• Responsible for the categorisation of new claims when entering onto the Trust's Claims Database in accordance with Trust Procedure and ensuring that information relating to claims and to coroner's inquiries are captured fully and accurately.
• Responsible for the progression of the investigation of litigation claims and coroner's inquiries to ensure all relevant statements/reports, documentation, evidence and any other information relevant to the case has been obtained in accordance with instructions received from the NI Coroner's Office, and/or the advice / direction from the Trust's Legal Advisors, Litigation Manager, and the Assistant Litigation Manager
• Responsible for organising and co-ordinating consultations for litigation claims and Coroner's Inquests. This involves liaising with relevant Trust witnesses and the Trust's legal advisors to agree suitable dates, venues and times.
• Responsible for liaising with relevant Trust witnesses and the Trust's legal advisors in the preparation for Court Hearings for litigation claims and for Coroner's Inquest Hearings. This involves ensuring that the file is up to date and all relevant records are with the Trust's legal advisors.
• Ensure that all disclosure deadlines are met (in terms of discoverable information) in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations, Freedom of Information Act and Access to Health Records Act.
• Provide advice to Trust staff relating to the litigation processes in adherence with relevant Trust Procedures.
• Ensure that lessons learnt from the claims process and coronial processes are documented at as early a stage as possible. This information must be shared with the Litigation Manager, to ensure that required learning is communicated to the relevant persons within the Trust for action.
• Assist in the for production of reports, as requested by the Litigation Manager for specific Directorates within the Trust such as:
  • Financial Reports (monthly, 6-monthly & annually) for Finance Department.
  • Departmental Reports for Performance & Reform,
  • Governance Committee Report (quarterly)
• Assist in the production of reports, as requested by the Litigation Manager for external bodies, such as the Department of Health.
• Responsible for the administration and maintenance of the Trust's Claims Database (Datix).
• Provide training to Litigation Services staff on all aspects of the Trust's Claims Database and provide on-going support and training to these staff in relation to updated procedures and system changes.
• Assist in the delivery of training to Litigation staff in respect of claims handling and coronial affairs.
• Contribute to the development and review of internal standard operating procedures for the management of claims and coroners' processes.
• Supervise and support litigation support staff involved in the processing of claims and coroner's, and deal with queries as they arise, referring the more complex cases through the management structure
• Ensure that health records are stored safely and securely within the Litigation Department eliminating risks to loss of data or breach of confidentiality.
• Undertake any other duties assigned from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the Litigation Department.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

• Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.
• Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.
• Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.
• Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.
• Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

• The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust's 'Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)' policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to:

• Ensure the Trust's policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
• Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
  • Smoke Free policy
  • IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
  • Standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour
• Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
• Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
• All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the
• Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
• Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
• Represent the Trust's commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

Hours of work: Full-time: 37.5 hours

Requirements:

• HNC / HND or equivalent / higher qualification in an administrative related field

AND

• 1 years' experience in a clerical / administrative role at Band 3 level or above

OR

• 4 GCSEs at Grades A-C including English Language and Maths or equivalent / higher qualification AND 2 years' experience in a clerical / administrative role, one of which should be at Band 3 level or above.

OR

• 3 years' experience in a clerical / administrative role, one of which should be at Band 3 level, or above

• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and Outlook

Other: Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

In Return: £12.86 per hour

Why use Staffline? This may not matter to you when you're looking for a new opportunity, but we just wanted to tell you a little bit about Staffline. We know that finding the right job can be challenging and we have the tools and resources to help you succeed. An established recruitment agency since 1983, we offer permanent and temporary job solutions to lots of different clients in multiple industry sectors in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. For further information please apply with your up to date CV by clicking the button.