FOI Officer

Employer
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care
Employer type
NHS
Site
Piccadilly Place or other central Manchester location / Hybrid working
Town
Manchester
Salary
£28,407 - £34,581 pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/05/2024 23:59
FOI OfficerBand 5Job overviewAs a member of the Patient Services Team, the post holder will co-ordinate and respond to incoming requests for information that fall within the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.Working with the FOI Coordinator, they will use their experience and knowledge to provide appropriate responses.The postholder will support the FOI Coordinator to ensure there are robust, up to date and fit for purpose policies and procedures to respond to FOI requests.Main duties of the jobAdminister all aspects of the FOI process, specifically:• Co-ordinate the process for FOI requests ensuring these are delivered in accordance with the legal national standard timeframe.• Administer the Freedom of Information system.• Maintain the FOI database and produce periodic reports as required.• Maintain and update the publication scheme and FOI Policy and procedures, to ensure they are compliant with national legislation.• Ensure that information available on the websites in relation to individuals submitting requests to the Trust is current and up to date• To assess the information requested / provided, which maybe complex or sensitive, to ensure it is appropriate for release, and where not, applying the appropriate exemption under the Act• To work closely with the FOI Coordinator and Directorate Leads to obtain sign-off (where required) for those qualified exemptions in the FOI Act. This will involve detailed conversations to explain how the exemption applies to the information being requested.Working for our organisationNHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care -Our NHS People PromiseOur NHS People Promise –the promise we must all make to each other, to work together to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone. Like many other employers, NHS GM currently has evidence of unwarranted inequalities in the workforce, most notably in relation to minoritised ethnic, female and\or disabled staff and their intersectionality. As a result, we will use positive action measures to bring benefits to our organisation, including a wider pool of talented, skilled and experienced people from which to recruit and a better understanding of the needs of a more diverse range of customers.We are CompassionateWe are inclusive, actively promote equality and diversity, and challenge discrimination.We are kind and treat people with compassion, courtesy, and respect.We are CuriousWe aim for the highest standards and seek to continually improve, harnessing our ingenuity.We can be trusted to do what we promise.We will develop our cultural proficiencies, ensuring we deliver well to all our diverse communities.We are CollaborativeWe collaborate, forming effective partnerships to achieve our common goals.We celebrate success and support our people to be the best they can beDetailed job description and main responsibilitiesKEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAdminister all aspects of the FOI process, specifically:Co-ordinate the process for FOI requests ensuring these are delivered in accordance with the legal national standard timeframe.Administer the Freedom of Information system.Maintain the FOI database and produce periodic reports as required.Maintain and update the publication scheme and FOI Policy and procedures, to ensure they are compliant with national legislation.Ensure that information available on the websites in relation to individuals submitting requests to the Trust is current and up to dateTo assess the information requested / provided, which maybe complex or sensitive, to ensure it is appropriate for release, and where not, applying the appropriate exemption under the ActTo work closely with the FOI Coordinator and Directorate Leads to obtain sign-off (where required) for those qualified exemptions in the FOI Act. This will involve detailed conversations to explain how the exemption applies to the information being requested.COMMUNICATIONReceive and manage FOI request from patients and the publicLiaise directly with patients and the public to discuss and respond to FOI requestWork with staff at all levels across the organisation to provide information and draft responses to FOI requestsWork with colleagues in the Patient Services team to provide accurate data on the management of FOI requestsINFORMATION RESOURCES, ANALYSIS AND DECISION MAKINGReceive and act upon FOI requests to the FOI inboxNHS GM Integrated Care - Template JDPS January 2023 3Draft accurate responses to FOI requests in line with legislationProvide information and advice on the application of exemptions under the FOI ActManage a caseload of FOI requestsLog case details onto the FOI databaseContribute to the FOI logContribute to the Publication SchemeEnsure all information is managed in accordance with Information Governance policies.PLANNING & ORGANISATIONEnsure FOIs being worked on are responded to within statutory timescalesManage own time and work effectively to ensure service delivery within statutory timescalesPATIENT/CLIENT CARELiaise directly with patients and the public when they make an FOI requestProvide specialist advice on rights under the FOI ActEnsure access for patients and the public to enable them to make FOI requestsProvide accessible information on rights under the FOI Act and how to make an FOI requestPOLICY & SERVICE DEVELOPMENTContribute to the development of the FOI policy, process and proceduresContribute to the FOI logContribute to the Publication SchemeContribute to Patient Services monitoring and assurance reports identifying key themes from FOI requests and areas of service improvementFINANCIAL & PHYSICAL RESOURCESReceive and act upon FOI requests into the FOI inbox.Record FOI casework on the FOI databaseRecord FOI activity on the FOI logContribute to the Publication SchemeRESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & AUDITCarry out web-based and publications research to maintain knowledge of FOI and contribute to future service development.Be aware of national guidance within health and social care, highlighting implications for FOISupport the Implementation of independent regulators’ decisions.Conduct and participate in internal and external audits when required.Person specificationQualificationsDegree Level Qualification in a relevant health or social care subjectEvidence of continued professional developmentQualification in FOIExperienceExperience of managing FOIsExperience of providing customer serviceExperience of working with a wide range of service users, e.g. people with learning difficultiesExperience of Health Services or a related environmentExperience of working with the public/voluntary sectorUse of Microsoft office and database solutionsExperience of presenting data in a meaningful way orally and in writing to a variety of audiencesExperience of using Datix or similar databasesKnowledgeUp to date knowledge and understanding of the Freedom of Information Act and GDPRKnowledge of patients’ rightsKnowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issuesKnowledge of organisation aims, objectives and wider healthcare economySkillsGood written and verbal communication skillsAbility to manage, understand and interpret complex regulations/data and translate themAbility to remain focused, objective, in demanding and emotionally charged circumstances whilst working innovatively, dynamically, strategically, flexibly and under pressureAbility to work methodically and systematically with a pragmatic approach and good attention to detailAbility to impart unwelcome or sensitive informationAbility to evaluate complex information, identifying key issues, problem solving, making sound judgments and decisions and implementing/recommending solutionsPlease note this vacancy may close early after a sufficient number of applications have been received.Please also note that if you are short listed for interview you will be contacted via email and it is important that you check your email regularly. If you do not hear from us by four weeks after the closing date then you may assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.As a fair collection notice for all NHS employees previous service details will be requested electronically from their previous employer.The successful candidate will be subject to the completion of satisfactory probationary period.General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR)In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we have implemented a Privacy Notice to inform you, as prospective employees of the organisation of the types of data we process about you.Employer certification / accreditation badges
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