Senior Legal Officer

Merit list/pools and how they will be usedApplicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool. If the applicant agrees, the results may be shared with other Australian Public Service (APS) agencies for filling similar roles. Applicants may be offered a future role, without the need to reapply. A merit list or pool may be used for up to 18 months.
This merit list/pool may be used to fill other vacancies anywhere in Australia.
For more information about Merit Lists or Merit Pools please go to APSC's website - The APS Merit Principle.
Professional Service Review (PSR) is an Agency within the Health and Aged Care portfolio whose work protects the integrity of the Medicare, child dental benefits and the pharmaceutical benefits programs (PBS). 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.
The Case Management Unit is a small team that reports to the General Counsel and supports the Director, Associate Directors, Committees and the Determining Authority to manage and progress cases which have been referred to PSR efficiently and effectively.
What we offer youYou will have access to:
negotiable salary entry pointsattractive 15.4% superannuationfree car parking at Brindabella Parkflexible working conditionssalary sacrificing options including superannuationprofessional learning and development opportunitiessupport for diversity, good health and wellbeingan engaged social club that facilitates activities to celebrate our people and build connections.Our office is located at Brindabella Park, ACT, located 10 minutes from the CBD. Brindabella Park hosts a dedicated gymnasium, sports facilities, cafe and restaurant dining, conference facilities, a childcare centre and provides a calendar of social events.
The key duties of the position include:The Senior Legal Officer (SLO) performs a dual legal and case management role as part of the CMU and 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).
The SLO is predominantly responsible for day-to-day oversight and delivery of work in relation to matters at the Director or Associate Director stage of the review process, in line with statutory timeframes. This involves managing a small caseload as well as supervising and developing case managers and working collaboratively in a small team. As part of matter management, the SLO may provide legal advice both independently and under the direction of senior legal staff. The SLO may also assist principal legal officers in managing cases at the Committee stage of the review process, including drafting relevant documents and attending hearings.
The SLO works with a high level of autonomy and accountability in delivering legal and case management services to the Director, Associate Directors, PSR Committees and the Determining Authority. The role makes recommendations and provides advice on solutions, emerging issues and issues that may impact the CMU.
The SLO provides professional leadership and guidance, including the 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 the CMU, the PSR Agency, the PSR Scheme and the broader Medicare compliance landscape will be escalated to the principal legal officer.
The SLO's primary duties include:managing matters, including more complex matters, at the Director or Associate Director stage of the review process using negotiation, problem-solving and strategic decision making skillsmanaging a small team of case managers, including reviewing work and assisting with organising work to align with matter prioritiesproviding professional direction to case team staff to ensure the delivery of servicesdrafting statutory decisions on behalf of PSR's decision-makers within PSR's statutory framework and according to administrative law principlesdrafting and reviewing correspondence to the Chief Executive Medicare, PSR panel members, practitioners under review and their legal representativescommunicating with practitioners under review and their legal representatives, medical consultants and PSR panel membersidentifying legal issues arising in matters and bringing them to the attention of the relevant principal legal officerproviding legal advice on the operation of the PSR scheme as required and providing oversight/clearance of legal advice provided by case managers.Other duties may include:attending hearings (usually interstate) to advise PSR Committees and drafting associated documentation including statements of reasons and hearing documentscontributing to the learning and development goals of the case team including by providing PSR training to staff and panel membersproviding legal advice on the exercise of compulsive powers and sanctions in a regulatory contexttaking responsibility for the handling of FOI requests and privacy matters and providing advice on the PGPA Act, as requiredoverseeing the co-ordination of outsourced legal services in relation to litigation including providing instructions to engaged firms and counsel.This vacancy is open to Australian citizens only and you must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.
NotesA merit pool of suitable applicants may be created from this process and will be active for 18 months after the date of this gazettal.
For more information about this role, including how to apply, please review the Candidate Information Kit available on PSR's employment opportunities page: Search | Professional Services Review.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
Getting to know the Professional Services ReviewProfessional Services Review is a small statutory authority tasked to review and investigate Medicare-referred cases of possible inappropriate practice relating to Medicare, the Child Dental Benefits Scheme and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. We operate flexibly and exercise high level leadership skills and undertake a diverse breadth of work. PSR is committed to workplace diversity and maintains an environment that values the contribution of people from different backgrounds and experience. PSR welcomes applications from people of all genders, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, mature age people, and people with disability. PSR provides a flexible working environment to assist staff balance their work and home life. Staff and managers work together to balance the operating needs of PSR with the needs of the individual. Flexible working options may include full time/part time working arrangements, working from home or working remotely. To find out more, visit our website at https://www.psr.gov.au.

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