Vacancy expired!
Patients' Rights Advocate - Mental Health (Marin County)
compensation: $2,738.17/mo.
employment type: full-time
non-profit organization
PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCATE position available in San Mateo County to advocate for the rights of mental health consumers while they are receiving treatment in mental health facilities/programs in the county of Marin
PATIENTS RIGHTS ADVOCATES OF ALAMEDA, SAN MATEO & MARIN COUNTIES
A PROGRAM OF THE
Mental Health Association of Alameda County
954 60th Street, Suite. 10
Oakland, California 94608
POSITION AVAILABLE-FULL-TIME
PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCATE/PATIENT REPRESENTATIVE
SERVING PERSONS IN MARIN COUNTY
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR PATIENTS RIGHTS ADVOCATE (100% FTE);
A. To obtain an application
visit the MHAAC website at www.mhaac.org and click on Employment, complete the fill-in application and mail it or attach it in an email.
Or contact
Mental Health Association of Alameda County, M-F 9 am to 5 pm. Telephone: 510-835-5010
B. Faxed applications will not be reviewed.
Please submit by email at the email address listed on the application found on the MHAAC website
Or deliver in person, or by postal mail to:
Mental Health Association of Alameda County
954 60th Street, Ste. 10
Oakland, CA 94608
ATTN: TITLE 9 APPLICATION
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications must be received in the MHAAC office by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 07/31/2019.
C. SELECTION PROCESS
Applications are screened. Finalist applicants are selected and invited to an individual
interview(s). Applicants not selected to be interviewed and applicants interviewed and
not hired will be notified by mail as soon as feasible after the close of the interview process.
THE POSITION
The person hired for this position will carry out the duties of a County Patients' Rights Advocate in MARIN COUNTY based out of our Marin County office. Patients' Rights Advocacy includes: hearing representation, investigating and attempting to resolve complaints; monitoring facilities for compliance with codes and regulations related to patients' rights; training mental health clinicians and treatment staff and informing mental health consumers about their rights while receiving treatment.
The position also includes the possibility of being asked to occasionally provide temporary coverage in Alameda County.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is an independent, nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. MHAAC assists and advocates on behalf of persons who have a mental illness and their families.
PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCACY/PATIENT REPRESENTATION PROGRAM
The advocate in this position will spend at least 50% of the time in the field, conducting required duties with our clients in the acute psychiatric hospitals, crisis stabilization unit, residential programs, and long term facilities. Individual selected for this position will investigate complaints from mental health patients and residents who may have experienced abuse, neglect or other violations of their rights as mental health consumers and will represent patients in hearings held on site in the hospital for clients who are 1) certified for up to 14 days of involuntary hospitalization & treatment and/or 2) are at risk of involuntary treatment with antipsychotic medication.
Representation involves establishing an client/advocate relationship, explaining the hearing process, preparing their clients for hearings, evaluating relevant evidence, then providing appropriate assistance, including representation at Certification Review Hearings and/or Capacity Hearings. Advocate provides representation to patients in mental health hearings:
ï Certification Review Hearings - the patient has been certified for up to 14 days of involuntary mental health treatment;
ï Capacity Hearings the psychiatrist has petitioned the court to treat the patient involuntarily with psychotropic medication.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ï§ Provide representation to patients in Certification Review Hearings abd Capacity Hearings (medication hearings)
ï§ Ensure that patients right notices and posters are supplied and displayed in mental health facilities and residential programs.
ï§ Respond to inquiries regarding patients' rights and laws and procedures on voluntary and involuntary mental health treatment.
ï§ Investigate complaints of patients' rights violations in a timely manner.
ï§ Monitor mental health facilities, services, and programs for compliance with statutory and regulatory patients' rights provisions.
ï§ Provide training and education about mental health laws regarding patients' rights to mental
health providers.
ï§ Act as an advocate on behalf of patients/residents who are unable to register a complaint
because of their own mental and/or physical conditions.
ï§ Maintain accurate and organized case records for patients who have Certification review or capacity hearings or whose complaints regarding patients' rights violations have been investigated.
ï§ Prepare periodic reports and summaries regarding Hearing and investigation cases and the outcomes.
ï§ Work efficiently and effectively with patients, Hearing Officers, and mental health facility staff
members to provide high-quality advocacy for patients under certification.
ï§ Other duties as assigned by the Program Director.
QUALIFICATIONS
(Note: relevant experience gained working in a volunteer capacity will be considered in assessing
an applicant's qualifications.)
ï Must have a motor vehicle available for daily use, possess a valid California Drivers License,
carry auto liability insurance as required by law, and have an acceptable motor vehicle report, as determined by our insurance broker. (Position requires local travel up to 300 miles per month).
ï Must be able to pass security clearance in order to assist clients held in the county jail.
ï One year of experience in mental health or related social services or 6 months of experience
delivering advocacy services to people with mental illness.
ï Demonstrated ability to work effectively and responsibly away from the Program's main office and with minimal direct supervision.
ï Ability to work effectively and appropriately within the mental health and other service systems.
ï Must demonstrate respect and compassion for patients and act to support patient's ability to be self-determining.
ï Ability to assist persons in presenting their cases in an administrative law hearing or similar type of hearing.
ï Ability to quickly ascertain what are relevant facts in a given situation and to efficiently conduct informal investigations.
ï Personal stability and an ability to work well under pressure.
ï Ability to work professionally and effectively with people with mental illness.
ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
ï§ Bilingual in English and Spanish
ï§ Prior work as a Patients Rights Advocate and/or Certification Review Hearing Representative.
ï§ Knowledge of California mental health law and especially of provisions governing involuntary
treatment.
ï§ Experience in representing clients at non-judicial hearings (e.g. Social Security Disability
Appeals hearings).
ï§ Certificate of Training; Patients' Rights Advocacy, by State Office of Patients Rights.
ï§ Familiarity with the mental health service system in Marin County.
HOURS OF WORK: 40 hours per week, full-time, including paid lunch break. Hours to be worked are usually Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. However, occupants of this position will sometimes be expected to begin work before 9:00 A.M. or to work after 5 P.M. and, occasionally, on legal holidays. The occupant of this position will be based in the Patients Rights Advocates office in Marin County. Rarely, travel to Alameda County may be required.
SUPERVISOR: The occupant of this position reports to the MHAAC Director of Patients Rights Advocacy Services.
SALARY: $2,738.17/mo 100% FTE per month. Required local travel is reimbursed at 58 cents per mile. Employee benefits include generous vacation, sick leave and health/dental insurance. (Details available.)
Applications must be received in the MHAAC office by 5:00 pm on Wednesday 7/31/19.
The MHAAC Is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Women, Members of Minority Groups, Veterans, and Persons with Disabilities
Are Specifically Encouraged to Apply for Employment.
To obtain job application and description with complete details visit our website at http://mhaac.org and click on "Employment"
Vacancy expired!