Mental Health Act Compliance Officer

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Colney; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Free Park & Ride service

On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane

Discounted gym memberships

Excellent pension scheme and annual or

Job summary

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an MHA Compliance Officer to support lawful and rights-based administration of the Mental Health Act across the Trust Group. Based at NNUH, you will work with the MHA Administration Manager to scrutinise statutory processes and provide specialist guidance to staff on complex issues, ensuring timely, accurate documentation.

Experience in MHA administration is valued; full training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Receiving and scrutinising statutory documentation, identifying errors and ensuring corrections are completed within legal timescales
• Providing written information to patients and their nearest relatives
• Coordinating Mental Health Tribunals and Associate Hospital Manager Reviews, including arranging hearings, notifying relevant parties and processing documentation in accordance with MHA legislation and the Code of Practice
• Managing competing priorities to ensure statutory deadlines are consistently achieved
• Maintaining accurate records and supporting data collection and reporting requirements
• Supporting with data analysis and reporting in the absence of the Mental Health Act Administration Manager, coordinating statutory documentation and information flows
• Supporting staff to ensure compliance with the Mental Health Act and associated legislation, safeguarding patients' legal rights, liaising with clinical teams and external professionals to obtain and process statutory documentation
• Working collaboratively with internal departments and external stakeholders, including Mental Health Liaison Teams and hospital clinical staff, safeguarding teams, AMHPs, IMHAs, solicitors and legal representatives, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, Ministry of Justice and the Care Quality Commission
• General administration tasks to support the NNUH Mental Health team and the Complex Health Hub

Job description

The Complex Health Hub is seeking a Mental Health Act (MHA) Compliance Officer to support the delivery of a high-quality, compliant and responsive MHA administration service across the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group. Based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), the post holder will work closely with the Mental Health Act Administration Manager to manage and scrutinise statutory processes and documentation relating to patients detained under the Mental Health Act across NNUH, James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn (QEH). The role also supports the monitoring and assurance of MHA compliance across the Trust Group. The post holder will provide specialist advice, guidance and support to staff on complex and sensitive issues relating to the Mental Health Act, ensuring that legal requirements are met and patients' rights are upheld. Whilst prior knowledge of Mental Health Act administration is desirable, full training will be provided. You will have the ability to work independently, using initiative and be able to respond flexibly to changing service demands, in line with Trust policies and standards. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage confidential information are essential. The post holder will support the Mental Health Act Administration Manager in delivering a high-quality administrative service that meets statutory requirements and ensures the effective operation of the Group MHA Administration function. This includes:

Key responsibilities

• Receiving and scrutinising statutory documentation, identifying errors and ensuring corrections are completed within legal timescales
• Providing written information to patients and their nearest relatives
• Coordinating Mental Health Tribunals and Associate Hospital Manager Reviews, including arranging hearings, notifying relevant parties and processing documentation in accordance with MHA legislation and the Code of Practice
• Managing competing priorities to ensure statutory deadlines are consistently achieved
• Maintaining accurate records and supporting data collection and reporting requirements
• Supporting with data analysis and reporting in the absence of the Mental Health Act Administration Manager, The role requires the coordination of statutory documentation and the effective management of information flows to support the safe and efficient operation of the service
• Supporting staff to ensure compliance with the Mental Health Act and associated legislation, safeguarding patients' legal rights, acting as a key point of contact for enquiries from patients, carers and healthcare professionals, liaising with clinical teams and external professionals to obtain and process statutory documentation, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records across relevant systems, including electronic patient records and local trackers
• Working collaboratively with internal departments and external stakeholders, including Mental Health Liaison Teams and hospital clinical staff, Safeguarding teams, Consultant Psychiatrists and Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs), solicitors and legal representatives, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (First-tier Tribunal - Mental Health), Ministry of Justice and the Care Quality Commission
• General administration tasks to support the NNUH Mental Health team and the Complex Health Hub as demand indicates

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 4159 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa. The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

About the Trust

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff! The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity. We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics