Job summary
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust are looking to recruit a number of Associate Hospital Managers (AHMs) to enhance their existing team. Oxford Health offers a range of mental health services across several sites in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Associate Hospital Managers cannot be employees of the Trust but are lay members who are specifically appointed to review the detention of patients subject to certain sections of the Mental Health Act (MHA).
Main duties of the job
The successful candidates will participate in AHM hearings consisting of three members to review the care, treatment and detention of patients who are subject to the MHA at statutory intervals and at the request of the patient. They will review written reports from healthcare professionals, to decide if the grounds for continued detention under the MHA are still satisfied. AHM's are authorised by the Trust, under section 23 of the MHA to discharge detained patients if they no longer meet the criteria for detention.
Hearings take place both virtually and in person at sites across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. AHM's volunteer to sit on panels and it is expected that they will sit on at least one panel a month and attend training sessions The role is voluntary, but an attendance allowance of £50 per session can be claimed.
Successful applicants will have an interest in mental health issues and/or have worked in this field and must have good communication skills.
About us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
- Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Job description
Job responsibilities
Competence and a good knowledge of the use of technological systems including Microsoft Office and MS Teams are essential. AHMs are provided with Trust laptops to undertake hearings.
Although previous experience in this area is desirable, AHM's do not require any special skills or qualifications as training will be provided.
- All new starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process, aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale
- Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
- Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
- Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
- We are ambitious in our pursuit of excellence, driven by the belief that a fair, just and fully inclusive organisational culture enables our teams to deliver the best quality of care and services possible and we work hard to ensure that our diverse workforce reflects the communities that we serve.
- We welcome applications from all sections of the community, are an Equal Opportunities employer with a number of internal networking groups to support our employees and where possible will always look to make reasonable adjustments in order that you can fulfil the role to recognise your full potential. All our employees are committed to demonstrating through their behaviour our core values safe, caring and excellent.
- Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Competence and a good knowledge of the use of technological systems including Microsoft Office and MS Teams are essential. AHMs are provided with Trust laptops to undertake hearings.
Although previous experience in this area is desirable, AHM's do not require any special skills or qualifications as training will be provided.
- All new starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process, aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale
- Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
- Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
- Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
- We are ambitious in our pursuit of excellence, driven by the belief that a fair, just and fully inclusive organisational culture enables our teams to deliver the best quality of care and services possible and we work hard to ensure that our diverse workforce reflects the communities that we serve.
- We welcome applications from all sections of the community, are an Equal Opportunities employer with a number of internal networking groups to support our employees and where possible will always look to make reasonable adjustments in order that you can fulfil the role to recognise your full potential. All our employees are committed to demonstrating through their behaviour our core values safe, caring and excellent.
- Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Ability to listen and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people
- Ability to read and process written information in report form, and question it rigorously and objectively
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues
Desirable
- Previous experience in the role
Knowledge
Essential
- Appreciation of the need for confidentiality
- Good IT skills to be involved in hearings held remotely
Desirable
- An understanding of the Mental Health Act Managers responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995 and the Human Rights Act (1998)
- A knowledge or good awareness of mental health issues
- An understanding of the workings of health and social care services and local community provision
Skills
Essential
- Commitment to attend hearings
- Objective and open-minded attitude
- Ability to weigh up evidence and take a decisive view and to make difficult decisions
- Commitment to attend initial training and then two training sessions per annum
Desirable
- Robustness to deal with emotional situations
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Ability to listen and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people
- Ability to read and process written information in report form, and question it rigorously and objectively
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues
Desirable
- Previous experience in the role
Knowledge
Essential
- Appreciation of the need for confidentiality
- Good IT skills to be involved in hearings held remotely
Desirable
- An understanding of the Mental Health Act Managers responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995 and the Human Rights Act (1998)
- A knowledge or good awareness of mental health issues
- An understanding of the workings of health and social care services and local community provision
Skills
Essential
- Commitment to attend hearings
- Objective and open-minded attitude
- Ability to weigh up evidence and take a decisive view and to make difficult decisions
- Commitment to attend initial training and then two training sessions per annum
Desirable
- Robustness to deal with emotional situations
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).
