Job summary
We are seeking to recruit a Data Protection Assistant to work in a busy team processing requests for personal information following strict legal deadlines.
Working for the Information Governance Team the successful candidate will work with a small team of staff facilitating access to personal information (patient information and staff information).
You will need knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act2018 with regard to Subject Access, either gained through practical application of the law or formal training. Your knowledge of Subject Access and its practical application will be tested at interview.
You must have an understanding of the confidentiality issues associated with handling personal, confidential and special information and be able to maintain confidentiality. The ability to work under the pressure of constant deadlines while still maintaining accuracy and attention to detail is essential.
You will be educated to NVQ level 3, Experience of processing requests for personal information is desirable.
Main duties of the job
To ensure that access to personal information of living and deceased individuals is processed in a legal, timely and consistent way according to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018, Access to Health Records Act 1990 and common law duty of confidentiality.
Respond to queries from patients, staff and external organisations with regard to access to personal information using your knowledge of the Data Protection Act 2018, GDPR and Access to Health Records Act 1990. Escalate complex queries to supervisor or senior manager.
Answer service user queries on access to their health records. Contact is usually by telephone or letter but a very limited amount of face-to-face contact may be required, for example if an individual wants to personally collect copies of their records. Sometimes you will have to talk with individuals who are upset or angry. You will have to be able to cope with these individuals in an assertive but empathetic manner.
About us
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.
Date posted
01 October 2024
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
£24,071 to £25,674 a year pro rata, per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
346-CORP-148-24
Job locations
Lanchester Road Hospital
Lanchester Road
Durham
DH1 5RD
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached the job description and person specification which outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Educated to NVQ level 3
2. ITQ/ECDL qualification or equivalent
Desirable
3. ISEB Foundation Certificate in Data Protection
Experience
Essential
4. Experience of handling sensitive, confidential, personal information
5. Providing information to members of the public
6. Providing information to all levels of staff
7. Working within a large, complex organisation
8. Experience of clinical systems such as patient administration systems, outpatient clinic systems
Desirable
9. Interrogating bespoke IT systems;
10. Working with confidential patient information;
Knowledge
Essential
11. Knowledge and understanding of the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation;
12. Knowledge and understanding of the common law duty of confidentiality and NHS code of Practice on Confidentiality
13. Knowledge and understanding of information governance topics including: Records Management, Information Security, Confidentiality and Data Quality
Desirable
14. Knowledge of the Access to Health Records Act 1990;
15. Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and how it relates to the disclosure of personal information
Skills
Essential
16. Ability to provide information on complex non-routine queries
17. Excellent communication skills; written and verbal
18. Ability to follow policies and procedures
19. Ability to use Microsoft Office software; Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
20. Ability to maintain confidentiality
Desirable
21. Ability to learn and use a range of bespoke IT systems