Claims handling assistant (clinical law)

The practice

Capsticks is independently rated by The Legal 500 and Chambers Directory as the leading provider of legal services to the healthcare sector. The firm acts for over 200 healthcare clients, including NHS Trusts and Health Authorities, regulatory bodies, charities and independent healthcare providers and has over 150 lawyers focusing on the health and social care sectors across its offices in London, Birmingham and Leeds.

The clinical law department currently comprises of 40 fee earners. The firm has been a member of the NHSLA's panel of lawyers since its inception and, in addition to clinical negligence work, the department carries out a wide range of other work which includes advising on regulatory matters, public law issues, judicial reviews, mental health issues and clinical risk management.

Further details on the partners in the department and the type of work carried out can be found on our website at www.capsticks.com.

The role

Capsticks has recently been appointed to provide a complaints handling service for Trusts. We are seeking a full-time claims handling assistant to work in our London office, initially for a fixed term contract of six months with the potential to extend. Supervision and support will be provided by our lawyers based in London, although the successful applicant will be encouraged to use their own initiative.

The main role and responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing letter of complaint and identifying from whom comments/evidence should be sought
• Liaising with the Trust in relation to obtaining those comments
• Reviewing comments
• Drafting response to complaint
• File management for each complaint - in particular responsibility for time frames and key dates
• Dealing with a high volume of complaints
• Assisting the Trust with post complaint correspondence if required and
• Any other duties as reasonably requested.

Candidate specification

Candidates should be educated to degree/similar level and ideally have experience of:

• handling claims in a proactive and client-focused manner within set service levels;
• experience in the handling of complaints within a Trust (PALS) or other medical organisation;
• assisting lawyers in negotiating and settling claims fairly and promptly;
• liaising/working with Trusts;
• working in a similar clinical negligence arena and/or on medical mal practice cases would be a distinct advantage;
• building relationships and gaining confidence when handling claims; and
• working unsupervised and able to show initiative.

Candidates will also be expected to demonstrate at interview that they are:

• proactive;
• self motivated;
• well organised;
• excellent communicator;
• engaged;
• take ownership;
• feel comfortable with level of responsibility;
• take pride in their work; and
• confident with IT/computer skills.

Candidates should ideally be available to start immediately and if you are interested in applying for this position please e-mail your CV and covering letter for the attention of Pippa Wood, HR Manager, to [email protected] with the heading "Claims Handling Assistant - London". The deadline for applications is 5:00pm on 12 March 2013 and please note we are only able to respond to candidates we call for interview.

Capsticks is an equal opportunities employer

Capsticks is committed to providing equal opportunities and encouraging diversity in employment. All job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality or national or ethnic origins, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.