Financial Assessor

Financial Assessor (Band 4)

Newry

Temporary (4 months initially)

The Client: Local Healthcare body based in the Newry Area

The Role: Financial Assessor

JOB SUMMARY

The postholder will be responsible for the day to day supervision of a team within the Financial Assessments Department. S/he will provide cover in the absence of colleagues, and will deputise for the Financial Assessments Team Manager across a range of responsibilities as and when required.

S/he will be responsible for organising own work and ensuring that the team are organised and able to meet required deadlines.

The postholder will be required to assist in the provision of Financial Assessments services to the Trust, including preparing financial assessments, processing charges under the legislation and assisting with the recovery of associated income due to the Trust.

KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery

• Interpret and implement legislation and HPSS guidance in relation to preparing Financial Assessments, calculating client contributions etc, including contentious issues such as ownership of property, valuations, deprivation of assets, determining capital and income, liaison with external bodies including Social Security agency, pensions providers etc, covering all category of client eg self funding, care managed, other community services
• Liaise with the Trust's legal advisors and clients' solicitors on matters relating to the financial assessment process, and the subsequent recovery of associated debt, including disputed assessments and Administration of deceased clients' Estates
• Advise clients, relatives, Trust staff and external parties of the Trust's financial assessment and charging policies in relation to Residential Care, including dealing with bereaved relatives
• Maintain the Trust system for acting as appointee for residents and clients, including liaising with Social Security Agency, Pensions etc and ensuring the correct recording and processing of these monies eg through PPP accounts, bank transfers, cheque payments etc
• Support the Financial Assessments Team Manager in the completion of returns on Financial Assessments data eg to Office of Care and Protection, High Court, solicitors, free nursing etc
• Receive referrals from Care Management and ensure they are actioned by Financial Assessment team, in accordance with relevant policies and procedures
• Ensure CRAG regulations have been properly applied to financial assessments, including participation in regular case meetings, regional groups, annual reassessments and forecasts
• Assist in the management and recovery of debt due to the Trust in conjunction with Team Manager, solicitors, etc including negotiation with clients, relatives, representatives and processing through small claims court or high court procedures
• Ensure the security of all cash, cheques, personal data and other documents within the finance department and system is maintained to the highest standard
• Support the Financial Assessments Team Manager in the maintenance of appropriate systems for the efficient flow and recording of information, particularly in relation to liaison with colleagues in the care management and finance departments, across the Trust and with solicitors, Office of Care and Protection etc eg reports for payment of private care homes and invoicing of maintenance contributions, costing, banking, business and planning statistics, contracts
• Support team members in the safe provision of service especially in relation to loan working and distressing cases
• Adhere to applicable policies and procedures to ensure that financial systems, procedures and processes are implemented to deliver financial assessment services in a transparent and accountable manner.
• Ensure that all correspondence or other queries are dealt with according to Finance Department policies and procedures, and in a proper and prompt manner
• Support the Team Manager in ensuring that all deadlines are adhered to and provide guidance for the Team in achieving these deadlines
• Maintain an appropriate knowledge of the Financial Assessments systems including Abacus etc and support the Financial Assessments Team Manager in system administration duties.
• Support the Financial Assessments Team Manager in ensuring the team complies with all statutory and HSSA/DHSSPS guidance.

General Finance Responsibilities

• Support the Financial Assessments Team Manager in the provision of information required for performance and benchmarking reviews
• Assist the Team Manager in cooperating with Internal Audit on matters relating to the Financial Assessments function including the implementation of recommendations
• Adhere to Trust policies for the effective management, use and maintenance of all physical assets by the Financial Assessments team
• Organise office routines including opening and sorting post, operation of query helpline and preparing outgoing post
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues in Financial Assessments, Finance and across the Trust to ensure effective delivery of Financial Assessments services

Policies and Procedures

• Adhere to all Finance and Financial Assessments policies and procedures, and ensure the Team staff are adequately trained in processes and procedures within the team
• Monitor own work and that of their team to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the provision of this service
• Adhere to all financial control policies and procedures for income and financial assessments and ensure these are adhered to by Financial Assessments staff
• Participate in system and procedure reviews to identify weaknesses and scope for improvements to enhance control and efficiency
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of the appropriate financial culture in the Trust
• Adhere to Financial Assessments and Finance policies and procedures for the management and storage of information by the Financial Assessments team to meet internal and external reporting requirements.

Staff Supervision

• Supervise staff within their Financial Assessments team including assisting with training, reviewing and checking work and managing escalated queries
• Monitor the structure and practices in the team to ensure effective communication, team working, continuous improvement and innovation.
• Supervise and be responsible for the training needs of staff in their team, ensuring they are met
• Monitor team performance against deadlines, prioritise and delegate workload across team
• Support the Team Manager in ensuring the effective implementation of all Trust people management policies in the team and monitoring all relevant targets such as those relating to staff performance and development reviews, the management of sickness and absenteeism, turnover etc.
• Ensure the effective management of staff health and safety and support in the team.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

• demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
• ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision.
• comply with the HPSS code of conduct.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to:

• Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.
• Ensure the Organisation's policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

• Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
  • Smoke Free policy
  • IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
  • Standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour
• Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
• Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
• Take responsibility to minimise the Trust's environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.
• All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the [org name] including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
• Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
• Represent The Organisation's commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

Hours of work: Full-Time- 37.5 hours

Requirements:

• 2 A Levels at grade C or above and worked for at least 1 year in Finance environment at Band 3 or higher (or equivalent)

OR

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or higher, including English and Maths and worked for at least 2 years in Finance Environment at Band 3 or higher (or equivalent)

OR

• Worked for at least 3 years in Finance environment at Band 3 or higher (or equivalent)

• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Knowledge and experience of relevant financial systems eg Debtors ledger, General Ledger

Other: Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

In Return: £12.86 per hour

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