Somek and Associates

JOB DESCRIPTION: Operations Support Assistant SOMEK AND ASSOCIATES ABOUT US Somek & Associates is a brand leader in providing expert witness services for clinical negligence and personal injury litigation, as well as other areas of dispute involving health or disability issues including family matters, criminal cases, tribunal, coroner's court and professional regulation issues. We take the business of being an expert witness seriously, aiming to provide first class expert witnesses, in addition to a quality service for our clients. Our Vision To be the organisation of choice for expert witness services in the UK. Our Mission To ensure courts have the best expert evidence with which to deal with cases justly. To ensure lawyers litigating cases (and other case workers instructing us) have supreme confidence in their decisions based on our quality expert input. To ensure our expert input is seen as value for money. Our Principles RESPECT - Creating a supportive, kind and inclusive environment. QUALITY - Delivering consistently high standards REPUTATION - Cultivating lasting relationships with clients and associates TEAMWORK and COMMUNICATION - Recognising unique contribution and rewarding success GROWTH - Developing the mindset to maximise the potential of our individuals and organisation POSITION Operations Support Assistants are part of the Operations Support Team. They manage and process incoming communications, including by phone, email and post. In doing this, they electronically file and label evidence and other documentation related to medico-legal cases. As part of their day-to-day operations, the team provides general administrative support to other teams in the organisation. The Operations Support Team are integral to achieving our vision of being the organisation of choice for expert witness services in the UK. In addition to providing clients and experts an excellent customer service experience, their high quality and efficient processing of medico-legal materials allows other internal teams to deliver an exceptional service. Hours: Location: Accountable to: Full-time / permanent (Monday to Friday) 9am to 5.30pm (including 1 hour break) 9 Chess Business Park, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1SD Operations Support Team Leader PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Being a primary contact for all telecommunications into the office, which will involve screening telephone calls, identifying the user in accordance with company policy and assigning to the appropriate S&A team member. Managing the company's email inboxes; reviewing and assigning messages to the correct case and staff member as appropriate. In managing the company's email inboxes and telephone switchboard; providing clients, experts and internal teams with a quality and positive experience. Managing all incoming and outgoing post; sorting, distributing and preparing post in accordance with company procedures. Providing front of house function; answering the door, greeting visitors and maintaining the visitor's book. Overseeing the scanning and/or processing of some confidential hard copy but primarily electronic documentation - this is mainly evidence and communications from solicitors - onto the database and ensuring the storage and destruction of evidence in accordance with company policy and GDPR. Reviewing and managing the various administrative task management systems on the database (e.g. Evidence Missing, Evidence Issues, Royal Mail Track & Trace etc). Processing requests and responses as allocated / tracked to you. Covering work for team members when appropriate. Providing ad-hoc training for junior team members. Developing and/or assisting in the development of Best Practice Standards. Ensuring they remain up-to-date with team practices / processes. Other general administrative duties where required. All staff are part of the "Somek team" and may be required to assist any other team members when required and agreed with team leaders or their manager. PERSON SPECIFICATION Operations Support Assistants will need to: Have excellent attention to detail. Have excellent written and verbal communication and customer service skills. Be reliable and trustworthy. Be able to use own initiative, whilst also working as part of a small team. Be able to work under pressure and prioritise their own workload. Have good organisational and time management skills. Have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills. QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE Educated to graduate level is desirable but not essential. Having experience in role/s involving comparable skillsets is desirable but not essential. FURTHER NOTES Any offer of employment will be subject to a 3-month probationary period. Training In-house training will be provided on all S&A software and on all job roles as required. Confidentiality The nature of the work of S&A is highly confidential and the post holder will be expected to maintain full confidence. Why work with us? Located just outside of London in Chesham, beside the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we're a well-established small-to-medium sized company with a family feel. If you work with us, you'll be joining a warm and welcoming team. We offer a great range of employee benefits, which currently includes: 31 days holiday a year (including Bank Holidays). Individualised training opportunities to support career development. Free and confidential Employee Assistance support for you and your family. Hybrid working after six months service. Private Healthcare after one year's service. Increasing pension contributions with service. On site electric vehicle charger. Free onsite parking and refreshments. Staff events including support to the Community and staff social events. End of the month lunch. Somek and Associates is proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Somek & Associates is a brand leader in providing expert witness services for clinical negligence and personal injury litigation, as well as other areas of dispute involving health or disability issues including family matters, criminal cases, tribunal, coroner's court and professional regulation issues. We take the business of being an expert witness seriously, aiming to provide first class expert witnesses, in addition to a quality service for our clients. Our Vision To be the organisation of choice for expert witness services in the UK. Our Mission To ensure courts have the best expert evidence with which to deal with cases justly. To ensure lawyers litigating cases (and other case workers instructing us) have supreme confidence in their decisions based on our quality expert input. To ensure our expert input is seen as value for money. Our Principles RESPECT - Creating a supportive, kind and inclusive environment. QUALITY - Delivering consistently high standards REPUTATION - Cultivating lasting relationships with clients and associates TEAMWORK and COMMUNICATION - Recognising unique contribution and rewarding success GROWTH - Developing the mindset to maximise the potential of our individuals and organisation POSITION Case Handlers are part of the Case Handler Team. They oversee the administrative aspects of their allocated medico-legal caseload, from reservation, through to trial/case settlement. Case Handlers effectively and efficiently manage their caseload; liaising with internal teams, externally based expert witnesses, and clients (typically solicitors). This involves the timely management of case events, including assessments, report drafting, telephone meetings, conferences, expert meetings and trials. We pride ourselves on the professional service that we deliver. Case Handlers provide clients and experts with a positive and quality experience. This involves interpreting client instructions and expert requests, liaising with instructing solicitors regarding initial and supplemental expert reports and negotiating appropriate deadlines. Hours: Full-time / fixed term contract (Monday to Friday) 9am to 5.30pm (including 1 hour break) Location: 9 Chess Business Park, Moor Road, Chesham, HP51SD Accountable to: Case Handler Team Leader PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Providing exceptional customer service for clients and experts. Interpreting client instructions and expert requests. Effective and efficient management of own caseload of cases. This includes the timely management of case events (assessments, telephone meetings, conferences, expert's meetings, trials etc), further work instructions and communications with clients (typically solicitors) and experts throughout the duration of a case, from reservation through to settlement or trial. Liaising with instructing solicitors regarding initial and supplemental reports, including clarifying instructions and negotiating appropriate deadlines. Covering work for team members when appropriate. Making assessments on chargeability and premium rate when relevant. Updating in-house database accurately. Handling confidential information and evidence appropriately. Arranging expert travel/accommodation and recording this on the database. Assisting experts with workload planning and diary management. Providing ad-hoc training for junior team members. Developing and/or assisting in the development of Best Practice Standards. Ensuring they remain up-to-date with team practices / processes. Other case handler or administrative related responsibilities where required. All staff are part of the "Somek team" and may be required to assist any other team members when required and agreed with team leaders or their manager. PERSON SPECIFICATION Case Handlers will need to: Have excellent written and verbal communication. Have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Have good organisational and time management skills. Be reliable and trustworthy. Be able to use own initiative, whilst also working as part of a small team. Be able to work flexibly. Have demonstrable assertiveness skills. Be able to work under pressure and prioritise their own workload. QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE Case Handlers will need to either; Be educated to graduate level, or Have experience in role/s involving comparable skillsets. FURTHER NOTES Any offer of employment will be subject to a 3-month probationary period. Training In-house training will be provided on all S&A software and on all job roles as required. Confidentiality The nature of the work of S&A is highly confidential and the post holder will be expected to maintain full confidence. Why work with us? Located just outside of London in Chesham, beside the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we're a well-established small-to-medium sized company with a family feel. If you work with us, you'll be joining a warm and welcoming team. We offer a great range of employee benefits, which currently includes: 31 days holiday a year (including Bank Holidays). Individualised training opportunities to support career development. Free and confidential Employee Assistance support for you and your family. Hybrid working after qualifying period. Private Healthcare after qualifying period. Increasing pension contributions with service. On site electric vehicle charger. Free onsite parking and refreshments. Staff events including support to the Community and staff social events. End of the month lunch. Somek and Associates is proud to be a Disability Confident employer.