Mental Health Patients Rights Advocate - Alameda County

MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS RIGHTS ADVOCATE ALAMEDA COUNTY

Have you advocated on behalf of family members who have faced involuntary hospitalization while experiencing mental health crisis Do you wish for the power to defend the civil rights of people receiving mental health treatment Would you like a career positively influencing the mental health system

You may be the person we are seeking to join our team of Patients Rights Advocates!

We offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Eligible for first pay increase after successful completion of 3month 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
• New Benefits EAP 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
• Paid lunch break
• Reimbursement for work travel
• Paid volunteer timeoff
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Tuition reimbursement
• On the job training

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is a wellestablished nonprofit organization with long term staff that assists and advocates for people with mental illness and their family members through programs including the Family Education and Resource Center the Family Partnership Program and Patients Rights Advocacy. Together these programs assist thousands of people with serious mental illness and their family members every year. We envision a world without stigma where people with mental health challenges and their family members are free to live their best lives. MHAACs current budget is around $5 million.

PATIENTS RIGHTS ADVOCACY PROGRAM

The Patients Rights Advocacy Program of Alameda County (PRA) works to ensure that people with mental illness receive quality treatment from facilities and providers of mental health treatment and in compliance with the codes and regulations governing their treatment. Our program is expanding and we are currently recruiting for one Patients Rights Advocate. This position will be based in Berkeley CA.

Advocates protect the rights of individuals receiving mental health treatment in Alameda County by: informing patients about their rights; responding to complaints; conducting investigations; monitoring facilities for statutory compliance with laws governing mental health treatment; representing patients during hearings; and educating facility employees family members and the general public on laws governing patients rights.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide representation to patients residing in LPSdesignated facilities countywide
• 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
• Conducts interviews in preparation for hearings
• Completes 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
• Educates patients/residents about their rights and the hearing process
• Respond to inquiries regarding laws and procedures on voluntary and involuntary mental health treatment

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalency
• One year experience in mental health or related social services or six months work/volunteer experience delivering advocacy services to people with serious mental illness
• Ability to work professionally and effectively with people with mental illness and to champion patients ability to be selfdetermining
• 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 provide proof of full Covid19 vaccination and proof of FLiRT booster shots if eligible
• Must be able to pass background check including review of State and Federal exclusion lists and livescan fingerprinting
• Possess a valid California drivers license motor vehicle available for daily use required auto insurance and have an acceptable driving record as determined by MHAACs 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)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors 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 nonjudicial 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 videobased platforms such as Zoom

HOURS OF WORK: Flexible Monday Friday 9 am 5 pm including paid lunch break. Eligible for hybrid work schedule after successful completion of 3mos introductory period

LOCATION: 2855 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley CA 94705. Advocates may travel locally up to 300 miles per month.

SALARY: $24.76 per hour (approximately $51500 annually). Employee benefits include generous vacation sick leave and health/dental insurance for employees and 401K plan. Required travel for meetings is reimbursed at the federal reimbursement rate currently $0.70 per mile.

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County is an equal opportunity employer to all regardless of age ancestry color disability (mental and physical) exercising the right to family care and medical leave gender gender expression gender identity genetic information marital status medical condition military or veteran status national origin political affiliation race religious creed sex (includes pregnancy childbirth breastfeeding and related medical conditions) and sexual orientation.

We are also committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening apply for a position or participate in the interview process connect with us and describe the specific accommodation.

Job Type: Fulltime

Pay: $24.76 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• May occasionally need to work on legal holiday
• Hybrid schedule after successful completion of 3mos introductory period

COVID19 considerations:
Proof of Covid19 vaccination and FLiRT booster shots required. Hybrid work schedules. Limited staff onsite. Air purifiers.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: One location