Panel Accreditation Manager

Action Against Medical Accidents

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) is the independent UK-wide charity for patient safety and justice, established over 40 years ago. AvMA is widely credited with both having put patient safety on the map and having brought about huge advances in access to justice for those patients who have been affected by lapses in patient safety (medical accidents). AvMA is a unique organisation for many reasons, not least because we provide free advice and information to members of the public who have suffered injury because of negligence and substandard medical treatment.

Our core advice services are our Helpline (open five days a week), written advice and information, and a pro bono inquest service. Through these services, we help over 2,500 people a year, including signposting to accredited medical negligence solicitors where appropriate. We are constantly reviewing how best we can develop services to best meet unmet needs. We have a focus on providing up-to-date information through our self-help leaflets available from the website.

About the role

The Panel Accreditation Manager is primarily responsible for the assessment of new panel accreditation applications. The role of Panel Accreditation Manager would suit someone who has practised as a claimant clinical negligence lawyer who is looking to draw on their expertise and experience in a new role. The successful applicant should be confident in assessing former peers and colleagues in a fair and impartial way. The nature of this work is such that the Panel Accreditation Manager can come into possession of sensitive information; discretion and respect for confidentiality are key qualities for this role.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• To manage and oversee the operation of the specialist AvMA clinical negligence panel including ensuring the qualifying requirements for panel applicants are relevant and up to date and reflect any important medical and legal developments. The assessment of panel applications and interviewing of Applicants. Convening meetings of the panel committee, drafting agendas for those meetings and identifying issues to be discussed.
• Identify ways for the AvMA panel application process to become more streamlined, efficient and supportive of lawyers making panel applications. To develop the process to ensure it is fit for purpose, relevant and continues to meet the needs of the public.
• Ensuring the AvMA database of panel membership and special interests is kept up to date. Giving informal advice to solicitors enquiring about panel membership requirements, liaising and meeting with firms as required.
• Travelling and attending key networking events, including AvMA’s three-day (2 overnight stays) annual conference and AvMA annual panel meeting (usually held end Nov, beginning December), engaging with potential AvMA panel applicants, promoting the benefits of accreditation and the junior scheme (Certificates Competence Scheme (CCS)), keeping up to date with medical and legal developments. Speaking at panel meetings and generally promoting the panel.
• Working with the conference department to identify relevant topics for panel meetings and conference events.
• Improve on the current re-accreditation process to make it more streamlined and user-friendly for applicants.
• Ensure relevant data from panel applications is captured on the CRM. Regular analysis of panel data, findings shared with AvMA senior leadership team and more widely where appropriate.
• Pursue AvMA’s EDI strategy by considering ways in which the panel can be developed to ensure panel members are as ethnically diverse as possible.
• Liaise with AvMA’s conference department to advise on any training which may be required to strengthen AvMA panel members' knowledge and information base.
• Work with the Director of Medico Legal Services in assessing applications for the Certificate of Competence Scheme (CCS) for juniors. To update and work on the Certificates Competence Scheme, including organising applicant feedback to ensure this scheme continues to be fit for purpose. To inform and work with panel applicant mentors in strengthening the scheme.
• Deliver on administrative requirements such as quarterly reports for trustees, working with AvMA’s Service Delivery Quality and Outreach Committee (SDQOC) as required to update on the continued improvement of the AvMA Panel Accreditation Scheme.
• Dealing with queries raised by AvMA Panel applicants and/or juniors who may have had their applications rejected.
• Ensuring AvMA panel template letters and documents are updated
• From time to time, speaking publicly about requirements for AvMA panel membership, common pitfalls and how to overcome them as well as other matters relating to the panel.
• Consider client complaints about panel members to determine whether the threshold for disciplinary action under AvMA’s Panel procedures is met.
• Manage disciplinary procedure for AvMA Panel members, identify and liaise with adjudicators, prepare documentation, set up the hearing.
• Manage appeals against rejection of an application for accreditation/reaccreditation, liaise with adjudicators.
• To keep on top of any government, regulatory or other policy changes which may affect the way in which patients can access justice, recover damages and seek redress for adverse clinical outcomes, as well as any improvements or impediments to lawyers undertaking this work.
• To develop and grow the AvMA panel accreditation and Certificates Competence scheme membership; to identify cost efficiencies and maximum engagement with AvMA accredited panel solicitors.
• Any other duties associated with the role.

Other:

• Support the Events Department’s quality initiatives and to suggest continuing improvements where needed.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the post as may be required.
• Deputise for the Head of Events when necessary

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential:

• Holds a legal qualification and is either a barrister, solicitor, or fully qualified CILEX lawyer, preferably with or eligible to apply for specialist clinical negligence accreditation,
• Demonstrable knowledge and/or experience of clinical negligence litigation, in particular a sound understanding of the legal principles as they relate to clinical negligence civil claims and inquests. We envisage a minimum of 6/7 years PQE, although exceptional candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants should be fully committed to and be able to demonstrate alignment with AvMA’s values, mission and purpose.
• An understanding, knowledge and/or experience of healthcare, the NHS and patient safety work
• An understanding of the principles underlying the European Convention on Human Rights
• Knowledge of inquests and the rules and Acts governing coronial law
• Knowledge of costs: An understanding of the core principles of cost recovery, modes of funding clinical negligence work, the importance of After the Event (ATE) insurance and recovery of premiums, retention of client damages to cover shortfall in costs likely ramifications of a fixed recoverable costs regime in clinical negligence claims.
• Good client care skills: Able to work with tact, empathy and understanding with people who are vulnerable, distressed or traumatised by their experience of a medical accident whilst managing their expectations.
• An awareness of the changes and challenges facing the legal profession in relation to clinical negligence work
• Good communication skills, with the ability to articulate clearly and effectively both in writing, on the telephone, and face to face.
• An ability to read and marshal large quantities of documentation submitted in support of AvMA Panel applications.
• Good organisation skills and the ability to manage and work effectively both as a member of a team and on own initiative.
• Forward thinking and able to suggest appropriate changes to AvMA’s panel accreditation process to meet the changing needs of the public and the clinical negligence market.
• Passion, commitment, and drive to promote patient rights and follow the aims of AvMA, recognition of the importance of both experience and expertise in clinical negligence work, but also the importance of consistently good client care.
• IT literate, with the ability to use databases, e-mail, internet for research and programs such as Word and Excel. AvMA’s CRM works with Microsoft Dynamics 365, and sharing knowledge of these systems would be helpful, although training can be provided.
• An interest in and commitment to using IT to support the AvMA Panel work and the work of the organisation more generally. To work with IT to ensure maximum use and efficiencies from the newly implemented CRM case management system. Undaunted by the use of social media to promote aspects of AvMA accreditation schemes.
• Committed to principles of equal opportunities and diversity
• An understanding of and a commitment to the values and objectives of AvMA, particularly in relation to patient safety, learning and access to justice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - with the ability to develop effective and positive working relationships with a wide range of individuals and organisations.
• Good communication skills. Strong writing skills - with the ability to prepare well-written and appropriate correspondence.
• Good analytical skills
• Well organised and can remain good-humoured under pressure.

Desirable:

• Some knowledge or experience of the law and/or procedures relating to professional regulation.
• Previous experience of running clinical negligence cases in private practice.
• Medical background, such as a nurse or physiotherapist.
• Experience in developing good relationships with the legal profession, medico-legal experts and clients/beneficiaries.
• Experience/interest in collecting data and monitoring quality.
• Previous experience of working on a helpline
• Experience of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days a year, plus bank holidays. Annual leave is acquired for each year of service up to five days (a maximum of 30 days in total). In addition, the office closes over the Christmas break for 3 days. 

Working locations

• Home-based
• at least 4 meetings per year in London, plus attendance nationally at all AvMA events.

How to apply

• To apply for the role, please submit:
  • A Covering Letter (maximum of 2 pages) outlining how your experience, skills, and personal attributes meet the person specification for the role
  • A Comprehensive CV detailing your qualifications, work history, and relevant experience.
• Please submit your application documents as a PDF using the web form linked to the job advert. Alternatively, email your application to [email protected] with the subject line "Panel Accreditation Manager" by 9 am 8 th June 2026.

Interviews

• Applications will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. If you have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application was not successful.
• Interview dates are set for 15th and 17th June and will be held remotely.

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