Janice Muradzikwa's Transition to Clinical Advisor at S&A

Janice Muradzikwa qualified as an occupational therapist in 2012 and became an expert witness in 2023. She recently joined the Somek & Associates head office team as a Clinical Advisor, and we invited her to share with us, how she is finding the transition so far…

What is your role at Somek & Associates? I’m the Clinical Advisor within the Clinical Business Management (CBM) team, having started in March 2025. I'm still growing into the role, but already finding it incredibly rewarding. I provide clinical advice and expertise to support the CBM team in managing case enquiries, from the initial enquiry through to instruction. This includes identifying the right expert for each case, ensuring the key clinical issues are properly understood, and working closely with the Quality Assurance and Training Lead to support internal teams and maintain our high standards.

Tell us a bit about your background and/or career history before you joined Somek & Associates. Before joining Somek & Associates, I worked as an Occupational Therapist specialising in adult and older adult mental health, supporting individuals with conditions such as schizophrenia, PTSD, OCD, dementia, and bipolar disorder, often alongside physical health issues like chronic fatigue and Parkinson’s disease. My role involved assessing functional needs, recommending adaptations and care packages, and promoting independent living.

I'm also a qualified CBT therapist, which allows me to integrate psychological approaches into my work and support mental health needs more holistically. Before stepping into my role within the CBM team, I worked as an expert witness myself, which gave me a strong understanding of what’s involved from both a clinical and medico-legal perspective.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us. Something that might surprise you is that I only recently learnt how to swim — a personal goal I had put off for years! Alongside that, I’ve developed a passion for candle making and creating skincare products using natural oils. It’s been a fulfilling blend of self-care, creativity, and learning — and who knows, one day I might even turn it into a small business!

What inspired you to pursue this opportunity with us? I was really drawn to the idea of combining my clinical expertise with business management and quality assurance. Somek & Associates has such a strong reputation in the field, and the CBM Clinical Advisor role stood out to me as the perfect opportunity to apply my clinical skills in a new way. It allows me to continue making a tangible impact while expanding my experience in a dynamic, collaborative environment. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the team and grow within this unique role.

What are some of the key responsibilities you have in your role as a Clinical Advisor? In my role as Clinical Advisor, I’ve been focusing on reviewing and interpreting new case enquiries, ensuring they’re matched with the appropriate experts, and supporting the CBM team with the clinical aspects of case management. I liaise with clients and experts, prepare fee estimates, and help manage caseloads. While I’m still settling into the role, I’m also beginning to gain experience in quality assurance and contributing to the development of best practice standards.

What unique perspectives do you bring to Somek & Associates with your combined roles? Having worked both clinically and as an expert witness, I bring a well-rounded perspective that bridges the gap between practice and procedure. I understand the pressures experts face alongside their clinical responsibilities, which enables me to approach cases with both a clinical and medico-legal mindset. This combination helps me make informed decisions and provide advice that takes all aspects of a case into account.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I love the variety — no two days are ever the same. Whether it’s problem-solving, liaising with experts and clients, or making sure the right expert is matched to the right case, I enjoy the challenge. And of course, working with such a knowledgeable and supportive team makes it even more rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to enter this field of work? Stay curious, be open to learning and feedback, and always work on communicating clearly and confidently. That will help you navigate challenges and enjoy the journey along the way.

How do you see your role evolving within the company? As I settle further into the role, I see myself working more closely with the lead trainers, Quality Assurance leads, and the CBM team lead to help drive improvements in our processes. I’m particularly interested in contributing to initiatives that enhance efficiency and consistency across the team. Over time, I hope to play a key part in shaping how we manage cases and collaborate internally as we continue to provide a high standard of service to both clients and experts.

If you are interested in discussing a potential case enquiry, we would be pleased to arrange a call. Please feel free to submit your enquiry through the link on our website Client Enquiry - Somek Associates Medico-Legal Consultancy or call us on 01494 792711.