Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCATE - SONOMA COUNTY

Have you advocated on behalf of family members who have faced involuntary hospitalization while experiencing mental health crisis?

Do you wish for the power to defend the civil rights of people receiving mental health treatment? Would you like a career positively influencing the mental health system?

You may be the person we are seeking to join our team of Patients' Rights Advocates!

We offer :

• Competitive Salary
• Eligible for first pay increase after successful completion of 3-month introductory period
• Some positions eligible for 4.5% Bilingual Pay Differential for proficiency in a Sonoma County threshold language
• 100% paid medical and dental for the employee
• 401K Retirement Program
• New Benefits EAP program with free 24 / 7 phone access to doctors and licensed therapists
• Generous time off benefits : 14 paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Years
• Vacation leave of 2 weeks per year, increases to 4 weeks by year four of employment
• Paid lunch break
• Reimbursement for work travel
• Paid volunteer time-off
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Tuition reimbursement
• On the job training

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is a well-established non-profit organization with long term staff that assists and advocates for people with mental illness and their family members through programs including the Family Education and Resource Center, the Family Partnership Program and Patients' Rights Advocacy.

Together, these programs assist thousands of people with serious mental illness and their family members every year. We envision a world without stigma where people with mental health challenges and their family members are free to live their best lives.

MHAAC's current budget is around $5 million.

PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCACY PROGRAM

The Patients' Rights Advocacy Program of Sonoma County (PRA) works to ensure that people with mental illness receive quality treatment from facilities and providers of mental health treatment and in compliance with the codes and regulations governing their treatment.

Our program is expanding, and we are currently recruiting for one Patients' Rights Advocate. This position will be based in Santa Rosa, CA.

• Advocates protect the rights of individuals receiving mental health treatment in Sonoma County by : informing patients about their rights;
• responding to complaints; conducting investigations; monitoring facilities for statutory compliance with laws governing mental health treatment;

representing patients during hearings; and educating facility employees, family members and the general public on laws governing patients' rights.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide representation to patients residing in LPS-designated facilities county-wide
• Provide representation to patients / residents in certification review hearings (for people facing up to 14 days involuntary detention) and in capacity hearings (for those facing involuntary treatment with psychotropic medications)
• Provide support to adolescents in the Independent Clinical Review process
• Conducts interviews in preparation for hearings
• Completes thorough and timely documentation of all assigned hearings
• Investigate allegations of rights violations, including possible abuse or neglect
• Monitor facilities, services, and programs for compliance with patients' rights statutes and regulations governing mental health treatment
• Respond to complaints received by mental health consumers / facility residents, family members and concerned individuals
• Educates patients / residents about their rights and the hearing process
• Respond to inquiries regarding laws and procedures on voluntary and involuntary mental health treatment

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalency
• One year experience in mental health or related social services - or six months work / volunteer experience delivering advocacy services to people with serious mental illness
• Ability to work professionally and effectively with people with mental illness and to champion patients' ability to be self-determining
• Ability to conduct efficient informal investigations by quickly determining the relevant facts
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and follow MHAAC guidelines regarding document transport and storage
• Must be able to provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination and proof of booster shots, if eligible
• Must be able to pass background check including review of State and Federal exclusion lists and livescan fingerprinting
• Possess a valid California driver's license, motor vehicle available for daily use, required auto insurance and have an acceptable driving record, as determined by MHAAC's insurance broker (Position requires local travel up to 300 miles per month.)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 - Outlook (email) and Word (documents)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree
• Prior work as a Patients' Rights Advocate and / or Certification Review Hearing Representative
• Knowledge of California mental health law - especially provisions governing involuntary treatment
• Experience representing clients at non-judicial hearings (e.g. Social Security Disability Appeals hearings)
• Familiarity with mental health service system in Sonoma County
• Bilingual - English plus Spanish
• Experience delivering services using video-based platforms such as Zoom

HOURS OF WORK : Flexible Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm, including paid lunch break. Eligible for hybrid work schedule after successful completion of 3-mos introductory period

LOCATION : 2227 Capricorn Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407. Advocates may travel locally up to 300 miles per month.

SALARY : $24.76 per hour (approximately $51,500 annually). Employee benefits include generous vacation, sick leave, and health / dental insurance for employees and 401K plan.

Required travel for meetings is reimbursed at the federal reimbursement rate, currently $0.655 per mile.

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

We are also committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities.

Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, connect with us and describe the specific accommodation.

Job Type : Full-time

Pay : $24.76 per hour

Schedule :

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• May occasionally need to work on legal holiday
• Hybrid schedule after successful completion of 3-mos introductory period

COVID-19 considerations :

Proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster shots required. Hybrid work schedules. Limited staff onsite. Air purifiers.

Education :

High school or equivalent (Required)

Language :

Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location : One location

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