Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a permanent Mental Health Act (MHA) Administrator to join the Somerset Foundation Trust team based in Yeovil.
This is an opportunity for you to develop your administrative skills into a specialist role within a small team of highly professional, motivated, and caring team of Mental Health Act Administrators, who will support you to develop your skills and knowledge and enable you to do your best for patients.
All our Mental Health Act Administrators are expected to place patient experience and care at the centre of their approach.
You will be offered specific training opportunities to enable you to develop your knowledge of the Mental Health Act and its application in practice.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible on a day-to-day basis for the administration and implementation of the Mental Health Act and Mental Health Act Code of Practice.
This is a varied role, and you will need to be a strong communicator who is highly organised and self-motivated with a good level of professional curiosity and administration experience.
It would be preferable to have knowledge of the MHA, but a keen interest in the law and human rights and desire to learn are equally welcome. You will be adept at problem solving, maintaining a positive focus on achieving desired outcomes.
About us
Yeovil District Hospital is now part of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression, and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.
The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will also be responsible for receiving and scrutinising MHA documents, making accurate records of detentions; liaising with colleagues to correct errors; and undertaking other MHA related tasks. This will include requesting reports for the Tribunal Service and Hospital Managers Review Panels as well as coordinating attendance at hearings which includes face to face and virtual hearings which can include solicitors, colleagues, patients and nearest relatives. You would be expected to travel to inpatient units across the county to clerk face to face hearings both for the Tribunal Service and the Hospital Managers Review Panels.
You will work with our patients, multidisciplinary teams and engage with an extensive range of healthcare professionals, local authorities, solicitors, Care Quality Commission staff, Tribunal Service: Mental Health staff, Ministry of Justice staff and other outside agencies including MHA Administrators out of area, the Courts, voluntary sector and members of the public.
The post is in a very busy, well-coordinated team and the post-holder will need to able to prioritise and work to deadlines. Although each team member has a specific role, you would be expected to assist and cover other team members during busy periods and absences. Therefore being able to work as part of a small team is essential.
The Mental Health Act Administrators team are mutually supportive, working closely together to fulfil the Trusts administrative obligations under the Act, and whilst the role is demanding, have a high level of job satisfaction. The team have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
If you have a passion for excellence and high professional standards we look forward to receiving your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will also be responsible for receiving and scrutinising MHA documents, making accurate records of detentions; liaising with colleagues to correct errors; and undertaking other MHA related tasks. This will include requesting reports for the Tribunal Service and Hospital Managers Review Panels as well as coordinating attendance at hearings which includes face to face and virtual hearings which can include solicitors, colleagues, patients and nearest relatives. You would be expected to travel to inpatient units across the county to clerk face to face hearings both for the Tribunal Service and the Hospital Managers Review Panels.
You will work with our patients, multidisciplinary teams and engage with an extensive range of healthcare professionals, local authorities, solicitors, Care Quality Commission staff, Tribunal Service: Mental Health staff, Ministry of Justice staff and other outside agencies including MHA Administrators out of area, the Courts, voluntary sector and members of the public.
The post is in a very busy, well-coordinated team and the post-holder will need to able to prioritise and work to deadlines. Although each team member has a specific role, you would be expected to assist and cover other team members during busy periods and absences. Therefore being able to work as part of a small team is essential.
The Mental Health Act Administrators team are mutually supportive, working closely together to fulfil the Trusts administrative obligations under the Act, and whilst the role is demanding, have a high level of job satisfaction. The team have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
If you have a passion for excellence and high professional standards we look forward to receiving your application.
Person Specification
Driving
Essential
- Holds Current Driving Licence
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- A good standard of general education
Desirable
- A qualification relating directly to MHA administration such as a Certificate in Mental Health Law and Practice
Knowledge
Essential
- Working knowledge of Microsoft office
- Knowledge of (or ability to learn quickly) the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and Mental Capacity Act 2005
Desirable
- ECDL or equivalent
- Significant in-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and Mental Capacity Act 2005
Person Specification
Driving
Essential
- Holds Current Driving Licence
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- A good standard of general education
Desirable
- A qualification relating directly to MHA administration such as a Certificate in Mental Health Law and Practice
Knowledge
Essential
- Working knowledge of Microsoft office
- Knowledge of (or ability to learn quickly) the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and Mental Capacity Act 2005
Desirable
- ECDL or equivalent
- Significant in-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and Mental Capacity Act 2005
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
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).
