About this role
Job summary
Please be aware that this role is NOT eligible for Sponsorship
If you already work for HPFT on a health and care visa, you will NOT be able to transfer your visa to this role as this role is NOT eligible for Sponsorship
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a capable, organised and computer-literate Mental Health Law Officer to join our Mental Health Legislation and Compliance Department. This is an important administrative role supporting the lawful application of the Mental Health Act and helping to ensure that service users' rights are protected through accurate records, timely communication and efficient coordination.
The successful candidate will have excellent administration skills, strong attention to detail and confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office applications, spreadsheets and electronic records. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate information, updating systems, preparing correspondence, supporting hearings and ensuring statutory documentation is available and well managed.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include:Providing high-quality administrative support to the Mental Health Legislation and Compliance Department.Preparing letters and information for service users, relatives, clinicians and other stakeholders.Tracking statutory deadlines, sending reminders and helping to ensure documentation is completed on time.Supporting the organisation of Hospital Managers' hearings, Tribunal hearings, CQC visits and departmental training.We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:Strong computer literacy, including confident use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and electronic record systems.Excellent administrative, organisational and prioritisation skills in a busy office environment.Accurate keyboard skills and the ability to maintain records, spreadsheets and filing systems to a high standard.Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare formal correspondence.Discretion, professionalism and a strong understanding of confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Previous experience of office procedures, health records administration or working with confidential information would be advantageous. Knowledge of the Mental Health Act is desirable, but full engagement with learning and development opportunities will be supported.If you are a highly organised administrator with excellent IT skills, accuracy and a commitment to supporting safe, lawful and person-centred mental health care, we would welcome your application.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organization with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?
Then please read on...
Job description Job responsibilities
To support the MH Legislation and Compliance Department and in doing so will ensure that the Mental Health Act and associated legislation is adhered to so that service users rights are protected. To act as the first point of contact for enquiries from service users and their Nearest Relatives. The post holder will be expected to work within standard operational procedures and will refer any enquiries to the appropriate personnel as necessary. To give information by letter with regard to detention under the Mental Health Act to service users and where appropriate their nearest relative.
To provide reminders to Responsible Clinicians when statutory documentation is required. To provide reminders to Responsible Clinicians when sections are due to expire. To ensure that statutory documentation is accurate and available on the Electronic Patient Record (EPR). To maintain and update systems and spreadsheets including an Electronic Patient Record. To assist in the administrative tasks associated with Care Quality Commission (CQC) visits. To assist with the monitoring of use of the Community Treatment Order and the Consent to Treatment provisions. To support Hospital Managers and Tribunal Hearings. To develop and maintain an understanding and knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and how this applies to the administration of the Act. To be actively engaged with team meetings and developmental opportunities.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING Essential
Educated to NVQIII level or equivalent relevant experience. Recent appropriate experience of office procedures and systems ECDL (or equivalent)
Desirable
Knowledge of Mental Health Act and Code of Practice Certificate of Mental Health Law, Policy and Practice Proficient in use of Electronic Patient Record system.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE /SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE Essential
Experience of working in a busy office environment
Desirable
Experience in the application of the Mental Health Act Experience of Mental Health Act/Health Records administration.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Essential
Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications Experience of maintaining an efficient filing system, both paper and computer based. Ability to communicate information effectively Ability to provide information in an emphatic, reassuring manner to service users and, where appropriate, their relatives. Well-developed written skills
Desirable
Ability to create PowerPoint presentations for training programmes.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS Essential
Able to prioritise work where there are conflicting deadlines
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 Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB
Coreys Mill Lane
Stevenage
SG1 4AB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)