Mental Health Legislation Officer

The Mental Health Legislation Team are seeking to appoint a motivated, experienced person to the post of MHL Officer based within the MHL Department at West Park Hospital. The post holder will have responsibility for administration of the MHA for a number of patients in the Darlington area., To hold a caseload of patients subject to the MHA and ensure that all aspects of the MHA are administered lawfully and effectively.

To use Microsoft applications and Paris ECR, including MHA module and Cito on a daily basis. Use of Datix and IIC.

To arrange and attend Hospital Managers hearings ensuring that the process is adhered to and the rights of the patients are upheld.

To arrange Mental Health Tribunals, working within strict deadlines and complying with tribunal rules and processes.

The successful candidate will be a member of a team of MHL Officers based at various Trust hospital sites with responsibility for ensuring the lawful administration and implementation of the Mental Health Act for detained or Community Treatment Order patients. The role carries a level of responsibility and requires the ability to work autonomously and as a team player with good prioritisation and excellent communication skills. NVQ level 3 or equivalent is essential and knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act is required and ideally experience of working within a mental health and/or learning disabilities setting.

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.