Job summary
This role sits within a
friendly, busy and expanding MHA Team providing a service across the Trust
footprint. You will join the Team at a time-of-service
enhancement with opportunities for development within the team.
The successful candidate will
work with a supportive management team who provide regular and responsive
supervision and appraisal. The team
works closely with internal and external providers, such as the Tribunal
Service, Ministry of Justice, Legal Representatives, Advocates, family, friends
and carers, plus many more.
The post holder will be
expected to exercise initiative, have the ability to prioritise conflicting
work demands and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Exercising
tact and diplomacy, ensuring confidential and sensitive information is kept
secure are essential skills to ensure that all work is carried out in
accordance with the Trust's policies and procedures.
Main duties of the job
We are committed to delivering a high quality,
supportive and responsive service for the Trust and patients, focused on legal
processes that impact on the delivery of all clinical services.
This role will support the Mental Health Act Admin
Manager Manager in Trust wide actions scrutinising and administering the MHA.
You will have responsibility for co-ordinating a comprehensive and responsive
service across the Trust in support of the administration of the MHA as well as patient appeals and reviews. You
will work to strict deadlines set by both the MHA and the courts.
As a MHA Administrator you will be part of a Trust wide team and will be required to
provide cover in the absence of your colleagues working from other offices and
collaboratively ensure appropriate cover for the admin support officer role is
met.
The postholder will support the team to ensure that
standards are maintained and appropriate, auditable and measurable. The successful applicant will assist in the
day to day administration of the Act whilst working within the Code of Practice
guidelines and processes and policy set out in the MHA Office.
All employees of
the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to
protect patients
About us
We
are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health
and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,
Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are
the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is
to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this
by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ
staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a
difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage
and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value
diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being
a foundation Trust means were accountable to our
members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people
(including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join
us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving
the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and
help each year.
We
are committed
to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and
vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this
commitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To provide full clerical support for the
administration of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007)
The MHA officer will scrutinise all
legal documents pertaining to compulsory powers under the MHA/MCA and ensure
effective management of set procedures under the MHA/MCA and will take
appropriate action in regard to any documents that are incorrect.
2. To have a working knowledge of the Mental
Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), the Code of Practice and the MHA regulations.
To enable the post holder to
understand the complexity of the Act and the many factors that
can have an effect on the decision making process of clinicians when carrying
out Mental Health Act Assessments.
3. To ensure that the database, in support
of the Mental Health Act is constantly updated and contains contemporaneous
information.
To provide staff requiring information
in regard to a person who is subject to the Mental Health Act with accurate
information, it is the responsibility of the MHA Officer to ensure that the
information contained in the Mental Health Act database is accurate and up
dated as required.
4. To provide support and advice to internal
and external staff in regard to all aspects of
MHA/MCA.
To develop close working relationships
with medical staff, nursing staff and local authority staff in regard to effective
management of the appeal process under the Mental Health Act. To ensure that
statutory documentation is requested, collated and delivered to the appropriate
authority within the time lines specified within statute and to ensure that we
comply with Human Rights legislation in securing the patient a speedy response
to an appeal.
5. To Attend Mental Health Tribunals to
provide support to all persons involved in the hearing. To
provide clerical support to the chairman of the tribunal and other panel members.
To ensure the Mental Health Tribunal
Chairman receives all relevant information in regard to the appeal hearing
prior to the hearing commencing, information is given to Chairman in respect of
all parties attending and what their involvement will be in the proceedings. To ensure that the patient and their legal
representative/advocate is kept informed of any issues in relation to the
hearing as directed by the Chairman.
6. To attend Hospital Managers reviews and
provide support to those involved in the hearing.
To explain the procedure to the patient
and their solicitor / advocate in regard to the hearing, and ensure that the
patient has access to all relevant information in regard to the hearings e.g.
reports. To ensure that professionals
attending have copies of all reports and relay any specific information to the
Hospital Managers as requested by any of the parties involved. Ensure that Hospital Managers have read the
reports and assist with any issues that may be raised in regard to the contents
of the reports. Provide the Hospital
Managers with all documentation in regard to the decision making process. The MHA Officer will take notes during the
hearing for the benefit of the Hospital Managers to assist in the decision
making process following the meeting.
The MHA Officer will request information from clinical staff in regard
to any perceived risks in regard to the environment, all parties involved and
in regard to the delivery of the decision following the hearing. The MHA Officer will provide assistance to
the Hospital Managers where clarification is required in regard to the Mental
Health Act and the Code of Practice.
7. Provide statistical information with
regard to the MHA/MCA as and when required.
To ensure that we comply with statutory requirements
to provide information in regard to uses of the Mental Health Act/Mental
Capacity Act within the Trust to allow effective scrutiny of the Act.
8. Ensure the effective management of the
procedures set out in Part 4/4A Mental Health Act around the area of Consent to
Treatment.
To ensure that patients who are subject
to Consent to Treatment rules are only treated in accordance with the law and
in the event that this is not followed this is brought to the attention of the
Responsible Clinician or the Second Opinion Appointed Doctor for an effective
remedy. To ensure that the procedures
detailed in the statute and the Code of Practice are followed and that
treatment is reviewed in accordance. To
scrutinise all legal documents produced in regard to the treatment of a person
for mental disorder and take appropriate action where required.
9. To provide guidance, support and training
to mental health staff who require a basic understanding of the purpose and use
of the Mental Health Act/MCA.
To assist staff in receiving a basic
understanding in regard to the scrutiny requirements of the Mental Health Act
and to give explanations as to what and why certain documents require
rectification.
10. To organise review and appeal hearings
pertaining to the MHA.
11. Raise invoices in regard to Mental Health
Act Assessments and Mental Health Tribunals as and when required.
To ensure that
General Practitioner and Section 12(2) approved doctors are paid timely for
assessments that are undertaken within the Hospital. To request payment from
the Mental Health Review Tribunal in regard to clerking arrangements under the
terms of the current Service Level Agreement.
12. To undertake general clerical duties in
relation to the role of MHA officer.
13. To maintain confidentiality at all times
in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
For full Job Description please see attached in Supporting Documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To provide full clerical support for the
administration of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007)
The MHA officer will scrutinise all
legal documents pertaining to compulsory powers under the MHA/MCA and ensure
effective management of set procedures under the MHA/MCA and will take
appropriate action in regard to any documents that are incorrect.
2. To have a working knowledge of the Mental
Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), the Code of Practice and the MHA regulations.
To enable the post holder to
understand the complexity of the Act and the many factors that
can have an effect on the decision making process of clinicians when carrying
out Mental Health Act Assessments.
3. To ensure that the database, in support
of the Mental Health Act is constantly updated and contains contemporaneous
information.
To provide staff requiring information
in regard to a person who is subject to the Mental Health Act with accurate
information, it is the responsibility of the MHA Officer to ensure that the
information contained in the Mental Health Act database is accurate and up
dated as required.
4. To provide support and advice to internal
and external staff in regard to all aspects of
MHA/MCA.
To develop close working relationships
with medical staff, nursing staff and local authority staff in regard to effective
management of the appeal process under the Mental Health Act. To ensure that
statutory documentation is requested, collated and delivered to the appropriate
authority within the time lines specified within statute and to ensure that we
comply with Human Rights legislation in securing the patient a speedy response
to an appeal.
5. To Attend Mental Health Tribunals to
provide support to all persons involved in the hearing. To
provide clerical support to the chairman of the tribunal and other panel members.
To ensure the Mental Health Tribunal
Chairman receives all relevant information in regard to the appeal hearing
prior to the hearing commencing, information is given to Chairman in respect of
all parties attending and what their involvement will be in the proceedings. To ensure that the patient and their legal
representative/advocate is kept informed of any issues in relation to the
hearing as directed by the Chairman.
6. To attend Hospital Managers reviews and
provide support to those involved in the hearing.
To explain the procedure to the patient
and their solicitor / advocate in regard to the hearing, and ensure that the
patient has access to all relevant information in regard to the hearings e.g.
reports. To ensure that professionals
attending have copies of all reports and relay any specific information to the
Hospital Managers as requested by any of the parties involved. Ensure that Hospital Managers have read the
reports and assist with any issues that may be raised in regard to the contents
of the reports. Provide the Hospital
Managers with all documentation in regard to the decision making process. The MHA Officer will take notes during the
hearing for the benefit of the Hospital Managers to assist in the decision
making process following the meeting.
The MHA Officer will request information from clinical staff in regard
to any perceived risks in regard to the environment, all parties involved and
in regard to the delivery of the decision following the hearing. The MHA Officer will provide assistance to
the Hospital Managers where clarification is required in regard to the Mental
Health Act and the Code of Practice.
7. Provide statistical information with
regard to the MHA/MCA as and when required.
To ensure that we comply with statutory requirements
to provide information in regard to uses of the Mental Health Act/Mental
Capacity Act within the Trust to allow effective scrutiny of the Act.
8. Ensure the effective management of the
procedures set out in Part 4/4A Mental Health Act around the area of Consent to
Treatment.
To ensure that patients who are subject
to Consent to Treatment rules are only treated in accordance with the law and
in the event that this is not followed this is brought to the attention of the
Responsible Clinician or the Second Opinion Appointed Doctor for an effective
remedy. To ensure that the procedures
detailed in the statute and the Code of Practice are followed and that
treatment is reviewed in accordance. To
scrutinise all legal documents produced in regard to the treatment of a person
for mental disorder and take appropriate action where required.
9. To provide guidance, support and training
to mental health staff who require a basic understanding of the purpose and use
of the Mental Health Act/MCA.
To assist staff in receiving a basic
understanding in regard to the scrutiny requirements of the Mental Health Act
and to give explanations as to what and why certain documents require
rectification.
10. To organise review and appeal hearings
pertaining to the MHA.
11. Raise invoices in regard to Mental Health
Act Assessments and Mental Health Tribunals as and when required.
To ensure that
General Practitioner and Section 12(2) approved doctors are paid timely for
assessments that are undertaken within the Hospital. To request payment from
the Mental Health Review Tribunal in regard to clerking arrangements under the
terms of the current Service Level Agreement.
12. To undertake general clerical duties in
relation to the role of MHA officer.
13. To maintain confidentiality at all times
in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
For full Job Description please see attached in Supporting Documents
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role. Confident and flexible approach, calm and able to cope under pressure. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels. Ability to work on own initiative and be self motivated.
- Must be confident working in clinical areas and with client group.
- Empathetic Nature.
- Responsible positive and mature attitude. Willingness and ability to work as an effective team member.
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to O level or GCSE standard or working to the equivalent of NVQ level 4 in administration or substantial experience in administering the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007).
- RSA level II or equivalent word processing experience.
Desirable
- Certificate in Mental Health Law
Training
Essential
- An extensive level of understanding in the administration and implementation of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007). Development of skills and knowledge in the application of associated legislation. Willingness to undertake any further training in relation to role
Desirable
Special Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent Communication and interpersonal skills (oral, written and electronic). Organisational Skills.
- Proof reading skills.
- Ability to work accurately and to deadlines
- Ability to work, prioritise and forward plan a workload within a team
Desirable
- Knowledge of RIO clinical information system.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial demonstrable experience in implementing administrative procedures within the Mental Health Act/Mental Capacity Act. Previous experience of servicing Hospital Managers/Tribunal appeals. Must have a working knowledge of the data protection act and confidentiality.
Desirable
- Supervisory management experience
Physical Attributes
Essential
- Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role. Confident and flexible approach, calm and able to cope under pressure. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels. Ability to work on own initiative and be self motivated.
- Must be confident working in clinical areas and with client group.
- Empathetic Nature.
- Responsible positive and mature attitude. Willingness and ability to work as an effective team member.
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to O level or GCSE standard or working to the equivalent of NVQ level 4 in administration or substantial experience in administering the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007).
- RSA level II or equivalent word processing experience.
Desirable
- Certificate in Mental Health Law
Training
Essential
- An extensive level of understanding in the administration and implementation of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007). Development of skills and knowledge in the application of associated legislation. Willingness to undertake any further training in relation to role
Desirable
Special Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent Communication and interpersonal skills (oral, written and electronic). Organisational Skills.
- Proof reading skills.
- Ability to work accurately and to deadlines
- Ability to work, prioritise and forward plan a workload within a team
Desirable
- Knowledge of RIO clinical information system.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial demonstrable experience in implementing administrative procedures within the Mental Health Act/Mental Capacity Act. Previous experience of servicing Hospital Managers/Tribunal appeals. Must have a working knowledge of the data protection act and confidentiality.
Desirable
- Supervisory management experience
Physical Attributes
Essential
- Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
