Job summary
The Freedom of Information Officer will be a member of the Information Governance (IG) Department which is made up of the Head of Information Governance, IG Manager, Deputy IG Manager, IG Officers and IG Administrators/SAR.
The IG Department is responsible for the management and coordination of the Trusts compliance with the FOI Act, Data Protection Act and Access to Health Records Act, national requirements, legal and statutory obligations.
The primary aim of the role is to provide support to IG Management by coordinating requests received under the FOI Act and ensuring responses are provided in line with the requirements of the Act.
Main duties of the job
- Provide appropriate support to ensure operational processes are followed when requests for information under the Data Protection Act and the FOI Act are received
- Liaise with staff across the Trust to ensure legal deadlines are met.
- Work as part of the IG team to ensure information exempt from disclosure is protected as required by law.
- Provide support to ensure requests for information sharing are processed as required to enable an informed decision to be made.
- Assist the IG Manager in identifying where exemptions may apply and where the Public Interest Test needs to be applied
- Assisting those who are contributing to requests for information to ensure the information that is provided meets the requirements of the Act.
- Build working relations with other NHS Trusts and neighbouring public organisations to ensure a consistent countywide approach to blanket FOI requests and to identify lessons learnt.
- Maintain electronic and paper filing systems in relation to FOI and ensuring disclosure of requests are available for uploading to the Trusts public website.
- To identify trends in information requests and establish whether information requested could be more readily available in the future.
- Compile statistical reports on the numbers of requests received, the time taken to respond to them and their level of complexity.
- Developing and maintaining extensive knowledge of the FOI Act and changes in legislation
- Any other duties as required by the IG Manager
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full detailed overview of the duties and responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full detailed overview of the duties and responsibilities.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential
Desirable
- BCS Foundation cert in Data Protection or equivalent experience
- BCS Freedom Of Information certificate in Data Protection or equivalent experience
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Working and dealing with confidential matters
- Prioritising and using own initiative including Planning and Time management
- Excellent Customer Service
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS systems
- Working knowledge of Information Right Acts
SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal Communications skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills/Excellent Customer relations
- Excellent IT Skills
- Ability to plan and prioritise own workload and meet deadlines
- Ability to understand when issues are arising and escalate them quickly and appropriately
- Ability to receive, understand and communicate complex information
Desirable
- Good understanding of Microsoft O365 including MS Teams and Sharepoint
- Good understanding of the Data Protection act, General Data protection regulations, Access to health records Act and Freedom of Information Act
- Working in a large and complex organisation
- Demonstrable experience of working with numerous systems
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS & RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Essential
- Self-motivated with the ability to use own initiative and work without constant supervision
- Communicate at all levels
- Ability to maintain and project a professional approach in all interaction with professional
- Flexible, approachable and diplomatic and a good team player
- Passionate about providing an efficient friendly and confidential service at all times.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL EFFORT
Essential
- Handling of highly sensitive & upsetting information will be required.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential
Desirable
- BCS Foundation cert in Data Protection or equivalent experience
- BCS Freedom Of Information certificate in Data Protection or equivalent experience
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Working and dealing with confidential matters
- Prioritising and using own initiative including Planning and Time management
- Excellent Customer Service
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS systems
- Working knowledge of Information Right Acts
SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal Communications skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills/Excellent Customer relations
- Excellent IT Skills
- Ability to plan and prioritise own workload and meet deadlines
- Ability to understand when issues are arising and escalate them quickly and appropriately
- Ability to receive, understand and communicate complex information
Desirable
- Good understanding of Microsoft O365 including MS Teams and Sharepoint
- Good understanding of the Data Protection act, General Data protection regulations, Access to health records Act and Freedom of Information Act
- Working in a large and complex organisation
- Demonstrable experience of working with numerous systems
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS & RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Essential
- Self-motivated with the ability to use own initiative and work without constant supervision
- Communicate at all levels
- Ability to maintain and project a professional approach in all interaction with professional
- Flexible, approachable and diplomatic and a good team player
- Passionate about providing an efficient friendly and confidential service at all times.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL EFFORT
Essential
- Handling of highly sensitive & upsetting information will be required.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
