Claims Officer

Integrated Care System; Blackpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Blackpool is seeking a Claims Officer to manage clinical litigation claims and provide legal advice. The successful candidate will assist in processing claims and conducting investigations, requiring a degree and experience in healthcare legal services. This role demands strong interpersonal and analytical skills, and offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector.

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree or equivalent.
• Experience in healthcare/legal services or related settings.
• Detailed knowledge of medical law relevant to healthcare.

Responsibilities

• Assist in processing potential claims and conducting preliminary investigations.
• Manage litigation claims including Clinical Negligence.
• Provide in-house legal advice and support staff on medico-legal matters.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication

Strong interpersonal skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Degree or equivalent

Postgraduate qualification related to medical law

Tools

Datix claims handling system

Windows-based computer packages

Job description

Go back Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Claims Officer

The closing date is 21 August 2025

We are looking for a highly organised individual with excellent verbal and written communication to join the legal team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. A professional manner and strong interpersonal skills are vital, with the ability to build and maintain good relationships with individuals at all levels.

You will take an active role in supporting the processing of potential claims by conducting preliminary investigations into allegations and small claims, ensuring there is a thorough and precise examination of each case.

You will also manage the day-to-day operations of litigation claims, including Clinical Negligence, Employer Liability, and Public Liability Claims. Provide essential "In-house" legal advice, contributing significantly to our legal team's success.

Main duties of the job

To assist in supporting the processing of potential claims and take responsibility for carrying out preliminary investigations into such allegations and in conducting investigations into small claims.To conduct the day-to-day management of litigation claims (Clinical Negligence, Employer and Public Liability Claims), and "In house" legal advice.

In the absence of the Legal Services Manager seek clarification of legal advice from Deputy Director of Quality Governance, the Trust Solicitors or National Health Service Resolution (NHSR) where appropriate on clinical negligence case management.To assist the Legal Services Manager inquest funding application and to evaluate risk management issues arising from the above claims.In the absence of the Inquest Manager provide advice, support, and education to staff on medico-legal matters including Coroner's inquests and other Court proceedings.

In the absence of the Head of Legal Services & Claims, you will seek clarification of legal advice from Trust Solicitors or the National Health Service Resolution (NHSR) on clinical negligence case management.

It will be your responsibility to assist the Legal Services Manager to evaluate risk management issues arising from claims. You will provide advice, support, and education to staff on medico-legal matters.

About us

Vision - to improve the lives of people who live, work and volunteer on the Fylde Coast and beyond.

Values - The Trust's values "Caring, Safe and Respectful" help to represent the culture of the Trust and to communicate who the Trust is and how they do things. They also play an important part in encouraging people to come and work and be part of the Trust themselves.

In January 2022 we invited staff, patients, carers, the local community, and key partners to be involved in the development of our 2022-2027 strategy.

Following this engagement, we developed the strategy to clearly indicate our vision - to improve the lives of people who live, work and volunteer on the Fylde Coast and beyond. The approach we took to do this was key and shows that we are committed to listening to our staff and actively engaging patients in how we deliver safe, effective, sustainable care for everyone, every day.

Together, our engagement community told us what's important to them:

• Being an employer of choice.
• Recruiting and retaining staff, especially from local areas.
• Growing excellence through training, education, research and innovation.
• Health promotion and prevention.
• Improving our impact on the environment.
• Creating safe, healthy environments to work and receive care in.

Job responsibilities

To assist in supporting the processing of potential claims and take responsibility for carrying out preliminary investigations into such allegations and in conducting investigations into small claims.To conduct the day-to-day management of litigation claims (Clinical Negligence, Employer and Public Liability Claims), and In house legal adviceIn the absence of the Legal Services Manager seek clarification of legal advice from the Deputy Director of Quality Governance. the Trust Solicitors or National Health Service Resolution (NHSR) where appropriate on clinical negligence case management.To assist the Legal Services Manager inquest funding application and to evaluate risk management issues arising from the above claims.In the absence of the Inquest Manager provide advice, support, and education to staff on medico-legal matters including Coroners inquests and other Court proceedings.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

• Educated to Degree or equivalent
• Further relevant specialist postgraduate qualification (e.g. LLM in medical law) or equivalent experience or currently working as a health care claims handler/advisor.
• DoH, MHRA and all other relevant regulatory bodies

Experience and Knowledge

• Recent experience of working in a Healthcare/legal services or related setting
• Experience of building successful relationships with other senior managers as well as members of external organisations
• In depth knowledge and good understanding of NHSLA claims handling procedures
• Detailed knowledge of medical law and other aspects of law as may relate to and arise from healthcare.
• Preparation and drafting of formal and complex documents.
• Handling cases through Coroners Inquests
• Experience in the field of clinical negligence
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge
• Knowledge of law and legal practice, acquired through degree in law
• Further theoretical knowledge experience associated with NHS specific provisions, structures, and social care
• Knowledge of Windows based computer packages & Datix claims handling system
• Understanding of health care regulations as enforced by CQC
• Post graduate diploma in legal practice and 2-year traineeship to masters level equivalent

Skills and Ability

• Strong and effective leadership skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills including sensitivity to the needs of patients, staff of all disciplines and grades and other organisations.
• Able to confidently represent the Trust in legal forums and discussions.
• Ability to represent the Trust at court hearings and coroner's inquests
• Calm and understanding under pressure.
• Clear written style explaining complex issues to professional and lay audiences
• Flexible and able to adapt time management, ability to meet deadlines.
• Able to work autonomously and within a team
• Ability to solve problems, take responsibility and think independently.
• Specialist legal skills
• Highly developed investigative, interpretive, and analytical skills
• Sound judgment and intellectual ability
• Practical / common sense approach
• Flexible and adaptable
• A good communicator (and able to make presentations as and when required)
• Strategic vision to develop and change services to make them fit for purpose in a changing/demanding environment
• Organised, self-motivated, resourceful, and self disciplined

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust