Patient Rights Advocate, Patient Advocacy

Jewish Family Service of San Diego • San Diego, CA

2d • $27 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

Provide advocacy services to consumers with mental illness and substance use disorders who are receiving services in psychiatric hospitals, crisis centers, residential substance use disorder treatment facilities, board and care and skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, and licensed residential facilities. Duties include conducting educational training for consumers and professionals, investigating claims of client rights violations, and representing behavioral health clients at Certification Review Hearings for involuntary psychiatric holds.

Requirements

• BA/BS or equivalent experience
• Must have a valid CA driver's license, insurance, a reliable personal vehicle, and a willingness to travel off-site
• Experience working with clients diagnosed with behavioral health diagnoses which can sometimes result in unpredictable or aggressive behavior
• Knowledge of clients’ rights law and/or willingness and ability to learn California State laws and San Diego County policies and procedures as they pertain to clients’ rights and behavioral health
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Flexible and able to handle emotionally intense situations
• Willingness to be exposed to contagious illnesses when entering health facilities. Safety precautions are provided
• Experience working in high-stress environments and emotionally charged situations that can lead to mental and emotional burnout. Emphasis on one’s wellness should be prioritized
• Willingness to visit facilities like correctional institutions, where individuals are in crisis, which may pose physical safety risks
• Experienced in facing verbal abuse or hostile interactions from clients, family members, or facility staff
• Ability to work with a wide range of community groups including professionals, facility administrators, clients with behavioral health diagnoses, as well as advocacy groups such as NAMI, DRC, Ombudsman, etc
• Strong sense of ethics
• Ability and willingness to regularly use office equipment such as computers fax machines, telephones and cell phones
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Must be able to Sit, talk and listen
• Stand, walk, and use hands and arms to use a keyboard, handle papers, and reach for the phone
• Occasionally climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Concentration and good hearing are required

Responsibilities

• Investigate and resolve complaints and grievances from clients about rights violations
• Visit and monitor facilities for compliance with clients’ rights laws, regulations, and policies
• Represent clients at Certification Review hearings for involuntary holds in psychiatric hospitals
• Provide educational training for clients and staff in psychiatric hospitals, licensed board and care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and substance use disorder facilities as needed and per contract requirements
• Maintain and submit documents, files, and reports as required by policy and contract requirements
• Document advocacy efforts in database system

Benefits

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance
• Paid vacation time and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level