Job overview This is an exciting opportunity to join a small and dynamic legal team that supports the Director PSR, Committees and the Determining Authority to manage and progress cases referred to PSR efficiently and effectively. The Senior Legal Officer (SLO) performs a dual legal and case management role as part of the Case Management Unit in PSR. The Case Management Unit reports to the General Counsel PSR. The SLO provides guidance on procedural, legislative and regulatory matters in the context of the PSR scheme (set out in Part VAA of the Health Insurance Act 1973) and in relation to privacy, Freedom of Information and Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Act requirements. The SLO is responsible for day-to-day oversight and delivery of work at the PSR Director’s stage in line with statutory time-frames. This involves supervision and development of Case Manager staff and working collaboratively in a small team. The SLO provides legal advice both independently and under the direction of senior legal staff (as required). Role expectations The SLO works with a high level of autonomy and accountability in delivering legal and case management services to the Director, PSR Committees and the Determining Authority. The role makes recommendations and provides advice on solutions, emerging issues and issues that may impact the Case Management Unit.SLOs provide professional leadership and guidance, including allocation of resources and workloads. The SLO will provide guidance and advice on legally technical or strategically complex matters. Matters impacting the overall operations of Case Management Unit, the PSR Agency, the PSR Scheme and the broader Medicare compliance landscape will be escalated to the Principal Legal Officer. The key duties of the position include:The Senior Legal Officers’ duties include: Managing a small team of case managers, including reviewing work and organising workflow Providing professional direction to case unit staff to ensure the delivery of services Drafting statutory decisions on behalf of PSR’s decision-makers, which involves interpreting medical information in order to make legally-sound decisions within PSR’s statutory framework and according to principles of administrative law Providing legal advice on the exercise of compulsive powers and sanctions in a regulatory context Providing advice on the development and drafting of primary and subordinate legislation Drafting and reviewing correspondence to the Chief Executive Medicare, PSR panel members, practitioners under review and their legal representatives Attending committee hearings (usually interstate) to advise PSR Committees and drafting of associated documentation including statements of reasons and hearing documents Communicating with practitioners under review and their lawyers, Providing legal advice on the operation of the PSR scheme as required and providing oversight/clearance of legal advice provided by Case Managers Managing PSR cases using negotiation, problem-solving and strategic decision making skills Liaising with PSR Panel Members and consultant staff including managing consultant workload Contributing to the learning and development goals of the case team including by providing PSR training to staff and Panel Members Taking responsibility for the handling of FOI requests and privacy matters and providing advice on the PGPA Act, as required Organising for the provision of secretariat services to the Determining Authority Overseeing the co-ordination of outsourced legal services in relation to litigation including providing instructions to engaged firms and counsel EligibilityKnowledge required Job Specific Capabilities and Experience High level writing and proof-reading skills Capacity to work independently and experience working collaboratively in a small team Experience supervising staff Excellent attention to detail Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation including, specifically, Part VAA of the Act, related regulations and the Medicare Benefits Schedule Maintain a working knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988 Ability to engage with medical records and terminology Mandatory qualifications and/or registration with professional bodies Completion of a Bachelor of Laws degree (or equivalent) Admission, or eligibility for admission, as a legal practitioner Legal experience in either an administrative law or general government, regulatory or health law context NotesSelection criteria Applications will be assessed against the Selection Criteria. Applicants should obtain a copy of the selection criteria before applying by accessing the PSR website at the following address: https://www.psr.gov.au/about-us/our-employment-opportunities You may also obtain the selection criteria by e-mailing psr.gov.au. Applications should include a CV and a statement addressing each of the selection criteria of up to 200 words per criterion. PSR is located in Canberra, but will consider remote working arrangements for suitable candidates. To be eligible for employment at Professional Services Review Agency applicants must be Australian citizens. Applicants offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a police record check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a specified clearance level (Baseline). The successful applicant must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period. Getting to know the Professional Services ReviewPSR was established in July 1994 as an Agency within the Health Portfolio to protect the integrity of Medicare and the PBS. PSR is responsible for reviewing and examining possible inappropriate practice by practitioners when they provide Medicare services or prescribe Government subsidised medicines under the PBS. PSR examines suspected cases of inappropriate practice that have been referred by the Chief Executive Medicare. PSR is established under Part VAA of the Health Insurance Act 1973, which sets out the role and powers of the Agency, as well as the process that it must follow when conducting its work. Through the performance of its statutory role, PSR protects patients and the community from the risks associated with inappropriate practice, and protects the Commonwealth from having to meet the cost of medical and allied health services provided as a result of inappropriate practice. PSR encourages workplace diversity and welcomes applications from Indigenous Australians, people of non-English speaking background and people with a disability. To find out more, visit our website at www.psr.gov.au