Human Rights Officer I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Vernon, TX

3d•$4,020 - $6,336•Onsite

About The Position

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The primary responsibility of the Human Rights Officer (HRO) is to maintain a facility program to ensure the legal and basic human rights of persons served are promoted and protected. Other roles include serving as the SH’s Liaison of the facility with Disability Rights Texas and as the coordinator of the facility Patient Advocacy Program. The HRO must have a working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and departmental and agency policy and procedures. The HRO is responsible for the investigation and resolution of rights-related complaints/issues presented by persons served and other interested parties. Other responsibilities will include evaluation of how facilities investigate, review and report unusual incidents and injuries as well as quality assurance review of facility practices to ensure the protection and promotion of individual rights. The HRO will provide input to the facility Superintendent and make recommendations for systemic improvements to decrease incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation. The HRO will provide training for staff, Patient Advocacy Committee (PAC) members and persons served as requested or required. They will also review trend analyses on all patient protections and specifically on data relating to imposed restrictions of individual rights and ensure that trend analyses of imposed rights restrictions are reviewed by PAC with follow-up provided as needed. The HRO will assure PAC review of all rights restrictions. The HRO works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment and performs complex administrative duties, to include but not limited to, the development of facility policy and procedures and may serve on various facility committees. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in psychology, sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, or a related human services field and six (6) months experience in human rights, patient advocacy, mental health services, or case management work
OR Associate degree and a minimum of twenty-four months’ experience required
OR No degree and a minimum of thirty-six months’ experience required.
Six months of experience working with persons with mental health or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program area with the ability to apply them to agency/facility policies and procedures and to convey them to others.
Knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid and Joint Commission Regulations or local, state and federal laws related to the program area.
Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures, to prepare concise reports, to plan and facilitate meetings and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Working knowledge of legal and basic human rights and due process.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Demonstrated computer skills to include Word, Excel and Outlook.
Ability to develop and provide training to staff, volunteers and persons served.
Ability to facilitate meetings.
Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.

Nice To Haves

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position.
The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Responsibilities

Maintain a facility program to ensure the legal and basic human rights of persons served are promoted and protected.
Serve as the facility's Liaison with Disability Rights Texas.
Serve as the coordinator of the facility Patient Advocacy Program.
Investigate and resolve rights-related complaints/issues presented by persons served and other interested parties.
Evaluate how facilities investigate, review and report unusual incidents and injuries.
Conduct quality assurance reviews of facility practices to ensure the protection and promotion of individual rights.
Provide input to the facility Superintendent and make recommendations for systemic improvements to decrease incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Provide training for staff, Patient Advocacy Committee (PAC) members and persons served as requested or required.
Review trend analyses on all patient protections and data relating to imposed restrictions of individual rights.
Ensure that trend analyses of imposed rights restrictions are reviewed by PAC with follow-up provided as needed.
Assure PAC review of all rights restrictions.
Develop facility policy and procedures.
Serve on various facility committees.
Actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
Coordinates and chairs the PAC meetings to ensure due process for recommended rights restriction/modifications.
Utilizes the facility’s electronic medical record to review documentation submitted to the HRC.
Ensures that the Patient Advocacy program is effective and is maintained through regularly scheduled meetings/activities.
Participates in Hospital investigations and resolution of rights-related complaints/issues.
Consults with Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) members regarding rights related center processes, polices, and education.
Interacts with patients, legal guardians, and/or family members.
Provides monitoring and promotes staff and patient awareness of potential rights violations during family visitation, work sites, or day program areas.
Ensures that each restriction of an individual's rights adheres to due process and occurs solely based upon the individual's needs and capabilities.
May be requested to attend Clinical Case Review (CCR).
Reviews departmental data and works with the Interdisciplinary Team to provide follow-up to remove or reduce restrictions as needed.
Educates, encourages and supports all individuals to exercise their rights including participation in self-advocacy, citizenship, voting and community political activities.
Participates in incident management team meetings, assistance with guardianship services, and serving on various facility committees (ex: Ethics Committee).
Participate in mandatory training per HHS policies and procedures, HIPAA policies, and federal rules and regulations, and Medicare/Medicaid and Joint Commission regulations.