Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocate - Alameda County

Mental Health Assn of Alameda County•Berkeley, CA

1d•$1 - $28•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is a nonprofit organization that assists and advocates for people with mental illness and their families. Its Patients' Rights Advocacy Program works to ensure that people receiving mental health treatment receive quality care in compliance with applicable codes and regulations. Advocates inform patients about their rights, respond to complaints, investigate alleged violations, monitor facilities for compliance, represent patients during hearings, and educate facility employees, family members, and the public about patients' rights. This role represents patients in LPS-designated facilities throughout Alameda County, including certification review hearings for people facing involuntary detention and capacity hearings involving involuntary psychotropic medication. The advocate also supports adolescents in the Independent Clinical Review process, conducts interviews and investigations, documents hearings, responds to inquiries and complaints, and educates patients and residents about their rights and hearing procedures. Local travel of up to 300 miles per month is required. The schedule is flexible, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a hybrid schedule may be available after completing the three-month introductory period. The position pays $27.51 per hour. MHAAC offers benefits including paid employee medical and dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement program, paid holidays and time off, mileage reimbursement, paid volunteer time, tuition reimbursement, and an employee assistance program. The role is based at 2855 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, California.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to work professionally and effectively with people with mental illness and champion patients' ability to be self-determining.
Ability to conduct efficient informal investigations and quickly determine relevant facts.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and follow MHAAC guidelines for transporting and storing documents.
Must pass a background check, including review of State and Federal exclusion lists and Livescan fingerprinting.
Valid California driver's license, a motor vehicle available for daily use, required auto insurance, and an acceptable driving record as determined by MHAAC's insurance broker.
Ability to travel locally up to 300 miles per month.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook and Word.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
Prior experience 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, such as Social Security Disability Appeals hearings.
Familiarity with the Alameda County mental health service system.
Bilingual English and Spanish.
Experience delivering services using video-based platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Responsibilities

Represent patients residing in LPS-designated facilities throughout Alameda County.
Represent patients and residents in certification review hearings and capacity hearings.
Provide support to adolescents in the Independent Clinical Review process.
Conduct interviews in preparation for hearings.
Complete thorough and timely documentation of assigned hearings.
Investigate allegations of patients' 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 from mental health consumers, facility residents, family members, and other concerned individuals.
Educate patients and residents about their rights and the hearing process.
Respond to inquiries about laws and procedures concerning voluntary and involuntary mental health treatment.

Benefits

Competitive salary of $27.51 per hour.
Eligible for a first pay increase after successful completion of the three-month introductory period.
Some positions are eligible for a 4.5% bilingual pay differential for proficiency in an Alameda County threshold language.
100% paid medical and dental insurance for the employee.
401(k) retirement program.
Employee assistance program with free telehealth access to doctors and licensed therapists.
14 paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's.
Two weeks of vacation per year, increasing to four weeks by the fourth year of employment.
Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel; required travel for meetings is reimbursed at the federal rate, stated as currently $0.725 per mile.
Paid volunteer time off.
Tuition reimbursement.
On-the-job training.
Sick leave.
Flexible spending account.
Life insurance.
Vision insurance.
Supportive and collaborative work environment.