Mental Health Act Administrator

Providing quality, inspiring innovation and delivering value is what we set out to achieve at Priory Healthcare. Enabling our patients with mental health illness to receive a truly integrated and holistic approach to their treatment, regardless of complexity or severity, thanks to the knowledge and expertise of our multidisciplinary clinical teams.

**Responsibilities**:
1. To manage the efficient administration of the Mental Health Act (MHA) within the area of responsibility and prioritise workload to meet constantly changing demands.
2. To ensure compliance with the MHA 1983, amendments to the act and the revised MHA Code of Practice.
3. To support and advise staff, service users and relatives on the MHA 1983 and associated procedures.
5. Maintain accurate data in relation to the use of the Act in order to provide statistical information for national and local reporting processes.
6. Support the service in any administration related to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards where required and identify and escalate any issues
7. Receive and scrutinise statutory documentation; ensure that errors are rectified within the legal timescale; be responsible for identifying an invalidating error and following documented procedures after consultation with the Hospital Director/Director of Clinical Services and Regional Mental Health Law Lead.
8. Provide information to Service Users and their nearest relatives under section 132 of the MHA.
9. Provide information to qualifying patients in relation to their right to access Independent Mental Health Advocacy Services (IMHA) under section 132D.
10. Monitor, remind and record changes in legal status and appropriate documentation. Informing Consultants and nursing staff of legal requirements relating to detained patients i.e. renewal of sections, consent to treatment etc.
11. Be responsible for the efficient and effective processing of hearings in relation to MH tribunals and Hospital Directors review, ensuring all relevant parties are notified, reports have been obtained and helping to negotiate hearing dates and venues, providing and processing documentation in accordance with the MHA Code of Practice and Divisional Policies and procedures.
12. Ensure supplies of MHA documentation, statutory and in-house, are available for clinicians, service users and their nearest relatives.
13. Provide support to other MHA administrators and provide cover when required and as agreed.
14. Receive and scrutinise statutory documentation; ensure that errors are rectified within the legal timescale; be responsible for identifying an invalidating error and following documented procedures after consultation with the Hospital Director/Director of Clinical Services.
15. Follow up MHA action points in Regulatory Inspection reports following visits to clinical areas
16. Ensure as far as practicable, a safe environment in hearings for visitors and staff.

Experience
- Working in an administrative team in Healthcare or legal environment advantageous
- Excellent administrative skills
- Working knowledge of mental health services and mental health legislation

Knowledge, Education and Skills
- Good standard of general education with GCSE or equivalent in maths and English;
- Competent in the use of Microsoft office
- Able to support and advise staff on the administration requirements of the MHA;
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise to meet constantly changing demands

Communication
Excellent written and verbal communication skills. The job will involve telephone and face to face communication with colleagues and clinical staff, Mental Health Tribunal, CQC, solicitors, other Mental Health service providers, service users and their relatives.

Responsibility
Leadership
The post-holder may be asked to take responsibility for coaching or supporting other Mental Health Act roles when required.

Budgets & Equipment
Delegated responsibility for the efficient and effective use of human and inanimate resources involved in executing the MHA.

Information
Shared responsibility for the confidentiality, security and accuracy of patient records, data and information. Ensuring good quality patient documentation, which meets the Regulatory guidelines and statutory requirements. Responsible for ensuring that data is processed in compliance with the principles of General Data Protection Regulations.

The role will be based at our Priory Hospital Burgess Hill 3 days a week and 1 day at Priory Hospital Dorking. Both hospitals provide care for males 18 years and over who have an acute mental health illness and require timely intervention for assessment and treatment, in order to alleviate symptoms, allowing them to return home as soon as possible. The service helps to meet the increasing demand for acute hospital beds across the Country.

The sites have access to free parking, and are set in secluded, tranquil grounds for patients to relax and recover.

Although primarily working from Burgess Hill, you will also