Job summary
- Main area
- Administration
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (SLA)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 383-COR-5607-25
- Employer
- Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Derby Hospital
- Town
- Derby
- Salary
- £29,970 - £36,483 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/04/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Mental Health Act Co-ordinator
NHS AfC: Band 5
Want to make a real difference and have a truly rewarding career? Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.
We’ve been rated ‘good’ overall by the CQC, with some outstanding services. The CQC commented at our most recent inspection on how our colleagues “treated patients with compassion and kindness” and “felt positive and proud about working for the trust.
We are passionate about making equality, diversity and inclusion part of our DNA. We take pride in our “People First Culture” which creates a workplace where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging, difference is celebrated, and people are comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We value the richness that comes from having colleagues that are fully representative of the local community. We welcome people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, protected characteristics, and with all backgrounds and experiences.
Job overview
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT) operate a Service Level Agreement providing Metal Health Act administration support to the University Hospital of Derby and Burton (UHDB).
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic. self-motivated, and organised individual to join a well-established MHA team in a role that has room for expansion. The successful candidate will have the autonomy to grow the role to achieve the broad aim of supporting UHDB to remain compliant with their MHA processes and procedure and the education of their staff.
This is an exciting career development opportunity to enhance existing MHA knowledge and skills. The successful candidate must have extensive knowledge of the Mental Health Act, maintaining management systems and experience of building relationships.
A clear understanding of the complexities of the MHA 1983, MCA 2005 and DoLS is essential in this role, as is the ability to recognise relevant changes to current legislation and to disseminate information appropriately within this area of responsibility.
It is essential to keep up to date with ever changing case law
The role will be based at Royal Derby Hospital and will require periodic travel to other sites operated by UHDB, DCHFT and DCHS.
Main duties of the job
- Ability to produce and deliver MHA training
- Ability to mange and prioritise workload
- Ability to deal with and respond to difficult issues
- Ability to work alone and make decisions, obtaining legal support as required
- Work closely with the MCA/DoLS Co-ordinator, providing cover for absence
- Work closely with the MHAC for DCHS and provide cover for absence
- Maintain good working knowledge of the MHA
Working for our organisation
Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.
The team are made up of a Senior nurse, Lead nurses, registered nurses, specialist support workers, Occupational therapist, a Physiotherapist, a psychologist and Consultant Psychiatrist.
Benefits include:
- Commitment to flexible working where this is possible
- 27 days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years & 33 days after 10 years’ service
- Yearly appraisal and commitment to ongoing training
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
- Health service discounts and online benefits
- Incremental pay progression
- Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7
- Access to our LGBT+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network
- Health and wellbeing opportunities
- Structured learning and development opportunities
It is Trust policy that for posts that are for a time limited period, applicants who are currently employed by an NHS organisation will only be appointed on a secondment basis and should have approval from their line manager this is possible before applying. Applicants who are not employed by an NHS organisation, will receive a fixed term contract.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please review the Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
- maintain a robust administrative process for monitoring and recording the use of the MHA 1983 and continually review the systems in place to ensure they meet legal and Trust requirements.
- To develop and deliver training to UHDB/DCHFT colleagues to ensure they understand and consistently apply the complexities of the MHA 1983.
- Manage any problems or issues that may arise, dealing with conflicting views and interpretations of law and good practice in an assertive and sensitive manner.
- Maintain and continually update an extensive knowledge of the MHA 1983 and associated legislation. Keep up to date with ever changing case law and guidance issued by statutory/legal bodies and government directions, disseminating new information to relevant professionals.
- Offer expert advice to all professionals. service users, nearest relatives, Associate Hospital Managers and outside agencies on all issues relating to the MHA.
- Report back to the UHDB Safeguarding Manager and DHCFT MHA Manager any concerns regarding the application of the MHA and respond with appropriate actions as agreed.
- To provide support to teams and individuals when dealing with difficult or complex issues regarding the application of the MHA.
- To receive and scrutinise legal documents/statutory forms, checking for accuracy and compliance with the MHA, ensuring the lawful detention of the service user.
- To take responsibility for arranging any required amendments of statutory documentation, taking appropriate action where these are insufficient to warrant detention.
- Ensure patients are aware of their rights under section 132 of the MHA, including their right to access an IMHA.
- Monitor and record changes in legal status under the MHA.
- Monitor a system for issuing reminders to consultants, nurses and care co-ordinators to remind them of the legal deadlines for section expiry, consent to treatment etc.
- Ensure requests for Second Opinion Appointed Doctors are submitted to the Care Quality Commission.
- Ensure Mental Health Tribunals and Associated Hospital Manager are arranged in line with the MHA and associated Trust policies and timescales.
- Act on behalf of the Hospital Managers to ensure all delegated duties as defined in the MHA 1983 and Code of Practice are undertaken.
- Collate, manipulate and compile statistical data as required for statutory purposes, reporting any issues to the DoLS Co-ordinator
- Review and prioritise the workload to meet constantly changing demands
- Audit the MHA 1983, taking appropriate action or escalating to senior management as required.
- Assist in the production and updating of Trust policies in relation to the MHA and associated legislation.
- Develop MHA champions at ward level.
- Work flexibly by using available resources and travelling to other sites as required.
- Participate in the Trust appraisal process, attending training courses as required for the post.
- Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required of this post.
- Always maintain a professional and confidential approach to work and be able to adhere to confidentiality when dealing with sensitive issues
- To be familiar with and comply with relevant Trust Operational, Personnel and Health and Safety procedures
- To be aware of their own limits to their own knowledge and seek guidance accordingly.
Person specification
Attainment and qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
- Certificate in Mental Health Law or equivalent
- Knowledge of legal terminology
- ECDL or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Legal qualification
- Diploma in Mental Health law
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate effectively and clearly, verbally and written
- Good organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
- Good problem solving skills
- Ability to work on you own initiaive
- High level of diplomacy and tact
- Understand the concept and importance of confidentiality
- Have a positive attitude to working as a team member, working with colleagues on projects and work plans to promote Mental Health Legislation
- Able to develop effective working relationships with colleagues from a variety of agencies and disciplines
- Good IT skills, working with different packages
- Ability to produce and deliver training
- Flexible, calm, methodical and organised
- Ability to work under pressure
- Able to work on own initiative, make decisions, and take responsibility
- Ability to read, understand, interpret and apply relevant legislation and current case law relating to the Act
- Ability to challenge and direct colleagues on the use of the MHA
Desirable criteria
- Awareness of the HRA 1998
- Awareness of the Care Act 2014
- Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
- Experience of working in a legal environment
Experience and knowledge
Essential criteria
- Understand the essential principles and components of the MHA
- Work to deadlines to achieve the required results
- Ability to work with a wide range of agencies
- Ability to work on own initiative without direct supervision
- Communicate and deliver information effectively and concisely
- Ability to work to tight timescales, to prioritise work, have good organisational skills and have a flexible approach to working
- Awareness of level of own knowledge and when to escalate
- Experience of working in mental health act administration for 3+ years
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of issues concerning people with mental health problems
- Experience of working within the NHS or similar environment
- Proven knowledge and understanding of the MCA and associated legislation
- Experience of working in a legal environment
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jurgita Auluk
- Job title
- Mental Health Act Co-ordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0787 684 6657
- Additional information
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