Claims Officer

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for (this includes and is not limited to):

Assisting the Head of Legal Services and Legal Assistant in the conduct of all legal claims, including undertaking preliminary investigations. This is a key part of the role.

Assisting the Head of Legal Services in the conduct of personal injury claims made against the Trust.

Supporting the Head of Legal Services in the:

Provision of a high level and prompt legal advice service; and

Supporting the Head of Legal Services in management of clinical negligence claims.

Facilitating the functions of the Legal Department and providing advice on matters related to Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Safeguarding and general day to day legal advice that may arise.

Providing administrative and clerical support in respect of legal matters as needed

Linking complaints with incidents and claims on the Inphase risk management system.

To support the department in sharing the learning throughout the organisation through regular reporting.

To support the Department Manager in the preparation of reports and papers for the Board (Clinical Quality Operational Board) and all other stakeholders as needed.

Attending Risk and Governance Meetings to share the triangulation of data obtained from Claims, Incidents and Inquests.

The post holder will be expected to work closely with staff at all levels of the organisation. The post holder will be required to work independently, under supervision and as part of a team.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent level of experience.
• A legal qualification/ diploma/ legal practice course/ or previous NHS Claims experience

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience working in a legal setting
• Experience working in an environment with conflicting pressures and changing workload
• Experience of tracking and monitoring progress and achieving deadlines
• Experience of producing reports in a professional format using information provided by others

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in an NHS setting with clinical and non-clinical staff, or similar
• Experience of meeting administration and minute taking

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent telephone manner with the ability to deal tactfully, sympathetically and efficiently with all enquiries
• Ability to represent the Legal Department in a professional manner at all times
• Computer literate with experience of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel PowerPoint)
• Robust organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and meet tight timescales
• Ability to use own initiative

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of DATIX or other Risk Management System

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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