Patients Rights Advocate

Disability Rights California•Atascadero, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patients Rights Advocate (PRA) provides onsite advocacy services to state hospital patients. The PRA also investigates complaints regarding abuse and denials of patients’ rights, provides training to both the hospital staff and residents related to the rights of state hospital patients, and represents patients at involuntary medication or other due process hearings held at the state hospital. Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions. DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination. The California Office of Patients’ Rights (COPR) is contracted by the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) and works with the Department of Health Care Services to ensure that the treatment and legal rights of people receiving mental health treatment are observed in State Hospitals.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in a related field. Four years of direct life experience as a mental health consumer or four years’ experience as a consumer advocate may be substituted in lieu of the Bachelor’s Degree (i.e., social work, counseling, self-help).
Two years’ experience as a consumer advocate within the social, human service, government, or health care environment. (if using experience in lieu of Bachelor's degree, this qualification has been met)
Working knowledge and understanding of the mental health and criminal justice systems.
Experience utilizing Microsoft Word/Windows or comparable word processing program on a personal computer.
Experience working with and a sensitivity to the rights of persons with disabilities.
Experience working with and a sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.
Applicants must be able to pass a background check with the State of California to be eligible for a DSH contractor identification badge.

Nice To Haves

Experience in direct advocacy for persons with psychiatric disabilities.
A working knowledge of the legal, civil, and service rights of persons with psychiatric disabilities in California.
Ability to communicate in Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL).
Experience with the mental health system as a current or former consumer/or with family member, significant other.
Contacts with disability organizations and/or within disability communities.
Contacts with multi-ethnic organizations and/or within multi-ethnic communities.

Responsibilities

Maintaining an onsite advocacy presence at the state hospital during regular business hours.
Receiving and investigating complaints regarding abuse/neglect, and punitive withholding or unreasonable denial of rights, of state hospital residents.
Providing direct representation for involuntary medication hearings held in-house at the state hospitals.
Maintaining the complaint process and services in a confidential manner.
Ensuring that state hospital residents are notified of their rights and provide informational presentations to residents regarding their rights.
Providing in-person or virtual training and education about mental health laws and patients' rights to facility staff, as well as being a consultant to state hospital staff about patients' rights.
Advocating for state hospital residents who are unable to register a complaint because of their physical or mental health condition.
Participating in all unit meetings, trainings, functions, and communications.
Monitoring facility programs and services for compliance with patients' rights laws, regulations and procedures as directed.
Demonstrate DRC’s values around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Conducting unit visits at the state hospital on a weekly basis.
Performing other duties as assigned.