Advocate I

State of North Carolina

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Advocate provides technical and administrative assistance to DSOHF staff, other agencies and stakeholders regarding resident rights. The Advocate protects the rights of those served at state-operated healthcare facilities through investigations into abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other rights violations, incident reviews, and providing education, training, and consultation. The position interprets the Human Rights Rules and Regulations, facility policy, DSOHF policy, Advocacy procedures, and regulatory requirements during everyday work. The Advocate ensures that practices are consistent with specified standards and guidance. The Advocate provides training for residents, families, facility staff, and Human Rights Committee members. In addition, the Advocate serves on committees, workgroups, and treatment teams at a facility level and participates in workgroups at a departmental level across the state to develop/revise Advocacy procedures and corresponding training. For incidents that don’t rise to the level of an investigation, the position serves as an independent and objective evaluator to determine if measures have been taken to minimize the risk to residents. The Advocate works closely with residents, guardians, and others on the residents’ behalf to provide education on rights issues, routine facility procedures, the complaint resolution process, and Advocacy services. In addition, the Advocate offers technical assistance to staff through monitoring, consulting, training, and collaboration to help ensure that residents are represented at all levels of the facility and that their rights are honored. The position functions as a liaison to the Human Rights Committee, Disability Rights NC (DRNC), Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR), Department of Social Services (DSS), and, as needed, local Police and Sheriff Departments.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a human services program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of the experience providing services (diagnostic and treatment, advocacy, and/or casework) for individuals who are developmentally, physically, or mentally disabled; or
Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience providing services (diagnostic and treatment, advocacy, and/or casework) for individuals who are developmentally, physically, or mentally disabled; or
Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of human services experience providing skills in investigating abuse and neglect, interviewing techniques, and similar functions; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of the investigative process which may include but is not limited to interviewing skills, evidence gathering, analyzing findings, reaching fact-based determinations, and/or documenting such in a professional, detailed report.
Preference will be given to individuals with knowledge of resident rights and applicable laws and regulations (Federal & State) related to the disability group served.
This position must have excellent oral and written communication skills and should be able to plan and coordinate daily work effectively, efficiently, and independently.
Experience collaborating with individuals from various clinical disciplines and participating as a member of the treatment team.
Ability to research applicable laws, regulations, policies and apply the knowledge to daily work.

Responsibilities

Provides technical and administrative assistance to DSOHF staff, other agencies and stakeholders regarding resident rights.
Protects the rights of those served at state-operated healthcare facilities through investigations into abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other rights violations, incident reviews, and providing education, training, and consultation.
Interprets the Human Rights Rules and Regulations, facility policy, DSOHF policy, Advocacy procedures, and regulatory requirements during everyday work.
Ensures that practices are consistent with specified standards and guidance.
Provides training for residents, families, facility staff, and Human Rights Committee members.
Serves on committees, workgroups, and treatment teams at a facility level and participates in workgroups at a departmental level across the state to develop/revise Advocacy procedures and corresponding training.
Serves as an independent and objective evaluator to determine if measures have been taken to minimize the risk to residents.
Works closely with residents, guardians, and others on the residents’ behalf to provide education on rights issues, routine facility procedures, the complaint resolution process, and Advocacy services.
Offers technical assistance to staff through monitoring, consulting, training, and collaboration to help ensure that residents are represented at all levels of the facility and that their rights are honored.
Functions as a liaison to the Human Rights Committee, Disability Rights NC (DRNC), Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR), Department of Social Services (DSS), and, as needed, local Police and Sheriff Departments.