Assistant Mental Health Act Administrator

Job description

Job responsibilities

Principle Responsibilities

To support the MHA & Admin Lead or MHA Administrator in carrying out duties to ensure legislative compliance and that MHA procedures are adhered to across Options for Care, including:

o receiving and scrutinising all MHA documentation for accuracy, in line with legal requirements, to ensure patients are detained legally; notifying all relevant personnel of any illegal detentions revealed. (Patients, Ward staff, Responsible Clinician etc.)

o receiving and recording correspondence for the statutory requirements of Tribunals, Reviews and Renewals of detention undertaken by the Hospital Managers of patients subject to detention under the MHA 1983.

o ensuring Consent to Treatment forms are received, requesting any outstanding paperwork to ensure patients are treated in accordance with legal requirements. To notify relevant Health Professionals of any due Consent to Treatment expiry dates, providing any necessary forms.

o Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act compliance auditing and reporting under guidance of the MHA & Admin Lead.

Arrangement of Hospital Managers Panels for review of patients detention under the Act, Mental Health Tribunals, collation of reports, liaison with professionals, service users and family members.

To assist with MHA Managers & Tribunal Hearing proceedings.

Organisation of Options for Care MHA records systems, both electronic and hard copy, and to update, maintain and close files as appropriate.

Maintain good rapport with patients, nearest relatives, family members and carers (where appropriate), and to keep them informed of meetings arranged for the patient related to Mental Health Act or clinical meetings

To maintain confidentiality and know when it is appropriate and acceptable to share patient information.

Communicate with all relevant professional staff, associate hospital lay managers and outside agencies such as solicitors, care coordinators, social workers and advocates to arrange meeting dates.

To maintain accurate records of services, contact points and key personnel.

To be responsible for prioritising own workload.

To work across Options for Care sites where required.

Departmental / Organisational

To cover across Options for Care sites during times of sickness or absence.

To undertake receptionist duties at the base unit.

To support clinical staff with the organisation of clinical meetings such as MDTs, CPAs, best interest meetings and S117 discharge meetings at the base unit.

To organise meetings ensuring the effective and timely production, collation and distribution of reports, minutes or other relevant documentation.

To report any equipment faults or building maintenance issues and follow-up as required.

To be responsible for local stationery/food ordering and to maintain stationery stock.

To oversee the petty cash system at the base unit.

To update information/notices related to MHA, corporate and staff information to be displayed/distributed throughout the department.

To assist and provide general administrative support and reception duties as required and minutes-taking for unit meetings.

To work using own initiative with minimal supervision, prioritising own workload in line with the objectives of the MHA & Admin Team.

The post holder will be responsible for developing and maintaining appropriate filing systems, ensuring the security of both electronic and hard copies of patient information. This must be kept safe and secure at all times in adherence to Care Records Policies and Procedures at all times.

To undertake any new service improvements/modernisation initiatives.

To process incoming and outgoing mail in a timely and efficient manner.

To receive telephone calls, dealing with them in an appropriate and efficient manner and directing calls to the appropriate person.

Additional Responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for reading, understanding and complying with all relevant and Statutory Policies and Procedures.

To be responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of personal data under the Data Protection Act is met in respect of all information held within the Company.

To be responsible for participation in Options for Cares Appraisal process, identifying own professional and personal development and training needs.

Attend statutory and mandatory training as necessary as specified by Options for Care Ltd.

Attend meetings as necessary.

Any other duties that are commensurate with the position.

This job description outlines the duties as currently required but may be amended by mutual agreement to reflect future service developments and the impact of new technology on the role. Appropriate training will be provided to support additional skills required.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience within an administrative setting

Desirable

• Knowledge or experience of electronic patient administration systems.
• Experience within a mental health setting or working with the Mental Health Act.
• Previous experience as an MHA Assistant.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 (Amended November 2007) and associated legislation.
• Knowledge of legal processes or experience in a legal setting.
• Knowledge of Data Protection Laws, Confidentiality and Freedom of Information.

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE English & Maths Grade C or above.
• Proven record of administrative skills and experience.

Desirable

• Certificate in Mental Health Law or other legal qualification,
• Recognised IT qualification Business administration / recognised administrative qualification.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Options for Care

Address

2 Montague Rd

Edgbaston

Birmingham

B16 9HR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://optionsforcare.co.uk/