Mental Health Act Compliance Officer

• receiving, recording and scrutinising statutory Mental Health Act documentation
• identifying errors, omissions and discrepancies and taking or escalating appropriate action
• maintaining accurate and up-to-date Mental Health Act information and patient records
• monitoring statutory and local deadlines and prioritising work accordingly
• responding to administrative queries regarding Mental Health Act processes and referring complex matters appropriately
• supporting the administration and coordination of patient hearings, including Associate Hospital Managers' hearings
• using Trust-approved digital and information systems securely and accurately
• contributing to audit, data-quality and service-improvement activity
• maintaining your knowledge of the Mental Health Act, associated legislation, statutory guidance and Trust procedures; and
• working flexibly with colleagues to maintain continuity of Mental Health Act administration.

• receive, record and scrutinise statutory documentation relating to patients subject to the Mental Health Act
• identify errors, omissions, discrepancies and approaching deadlines and take or escalate appropriate action within the boundaries of the role
• maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date Mental Health Act and legal records
• ensure information relating to detained patients is accurately maintained on Trust patient record systems
• respond to administrative queries relating to the Mental Health Act and associated processes, referring complex legal or clinical matters appropriately; and
• work flexibly with Mental Health Act Team colleagues to maintain continuity of statutory administration and service delivery.

• support and facilitate Associate Hospital Managers in undertaking their role; and
• monitor relevant actions and deadlines associated with Mental Health Act administrative processes.

• use Trust-approved digital and information systems in accordance with data protection, information governance, records management and information-security requirements
• maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive patient and legal information; and
• contribute to routine audit, data-quality checking and service-improvement activity within the Mental Health Act administration service.

• respond to queries within the scope of the role and recognise when senior, legal or clinical advice is required
• work collaboratively with Mental Health Act Team colleagues, clinical services and partner organisations; and
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

• manage multiple and sometimes conflicting demands in a busy working environment
• maintain concentration and accuracy when working under pressure
• recognise and appropriately escalate risks, delays and matters outside the scope of the role; and
• provide cover and work flexibly with colleagues to support continuity of Mental Health Act administration.

• maintain current knowledge of relevant case law, statutory guidance and Trust procedures
• attend supervision, Mental Health Act Team meetings and relevant Trust training
• contribute constructively to process review and continuous improvement; and
• support new colleagues by sharing agreed processes and good administrative practice, where appropriate.

Essential

• A sound educational background with good analytical and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Willingness and ability to learn quickly and gain a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and associated legislation.

Essential

• Experience in a working environment with regular contact with work colleagues/public.
• Previous experience in a lead administrative role
• Ability to learn to understand and interpret provisions of the Mental Health Act and associated legislation, seeking appropriate advice and guidance where necessary

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy to all relevant professionals, patients, relatives and carers
• Ability to understand and interpret statute law, statutory and non-statutory guidance.
• High level of accuracy and an eye for detail required in all aspects of job role.
• The ability to prioritise work to meet legal and local deadlines.
• Use of computer based systems and programmes - Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point and email