Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocate - Alameda County

Mental Health Assn of Alameda County•Berkeley, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is seeking a dedicated individual to join our team as a Patients' Rights Advocate. This role is crucial in ensuring that the rights of individuals with mental illness are upheld during hospitalization and treatment. Advocates represent clients in hearings, provide essential education, information, and referrals, and work to ensure compliance with laws governing mental health treatment. MHAAC is a well-established non-profit organization dedicated to assisting and advocating for people with mental illness and their family members through various programs. We envision a world without stigma where individuals with mental health challenges and their families can live their best lives. The Patients' Rights Advocacy Program of Alameda County (PRA) specifically works to ensure that individuals receiving mental health treatment receive quality care in compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. This involves informing patients of their rights, responding to complaints, conducting investigations, monitoring facilities, representing patients in hearings, and educating stakeholders on patients' rights.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalency
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 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)

Nice To Haves

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 Alameda County
Bilingual - English plus Spanish
Experience delivering services using video-based platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams

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.
Conduct interviews in preparation for hearings.
Complete 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.
Educate patients/residents about their rights and the hearing process.
Respond to inquiries regarding laws and procedures on voluntary and involuntary mental health treatment.

Benefits

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 an Alameda County threshold language
100% paid medical and dental for the employee
401K Retirement Program
Employee Assistance Program with free telehealth 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
Reimbursement for work related travel
Paid volunteer time-off
Supportive and collaborative work environment
Tuition reimbursement
On the job training
401(k)
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance