Patient Rights Advocate (Hospital) , Patient Advocacy
About The Position
This position involves representing behavioral health clients and ensuring their rights are upheld. The role requires investigating and resolving complaints, concerns, or grievances related to rights violations, coordinating with other agencies, and monitoring facilities for compliance with clients' rights laws, regulations, and policies. The advocate will also inform clients, staff, owners, and administrators about the rights of individuals receiving behavioral health services. Key duties include providing advocacy services to residents with mental illness in inpatient and licensed residential facilities, conducting continuing education trainings, and representing clients at Certification Review Hearings for involuntary holds in psychiatric hospitals. The role is primarily in acute care psychiatric facilities, with opportunities for cross-training in other patient advocacy areas.
Requirements
- Successful completion and pass of Criminal History Background Check
- Valid CA driver's license, insurance, a reliable personal vehicle, and a willingness to travel off-site
- Experience working with clients receiving behavioral health services
- 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
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work with a wide range of community groups including professionals, facility administrators, clients as well as advocacy groups such as NAMI, CCHEA, 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
- Flexible and able to handle emotionally intense situations
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with clients diagnosed with a serious mental illness
- Knowledge of patients’ rights law and/or willingness and ability to learn California State laws and San Diego County Policies and Procedures as they pertain to patient’s rights and mental illness
- Strong sense of humor and ability to make work fun
- Car required
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout San Diego County
Responsibilities
- Investigate and resolve complaints, concerns, or grievances received from behavioral health clients about rights violations.
- Coordinate efforts with other agencies as needed.
- Visit and monitor facilities for compliance with clients’ rights laws, regulations and policies.
- Ensure that clients, staff, owners, and administrators are informed of the rights of persons receiving behavioral health services.
- Provide advocacy services to residents with mental illness residing in inpatient and licensed residential facilities.
- Conduct continuing education trainings for residents, staff and other professionals.
- Represent clients at Certification Review Hearings for involuntary holds in psychiatric hospitals.
- Perform patient advocacy duties in a variety of settings.
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
