Patients Rights Advocate

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC)

At Disability Rights California (DRC) we are committed to creating an equitable accessible and inclusive experience for all applicants. Below weve outlined important details to ensure you feel fully supported throughout the hiring process.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g. large print Braille digital files)
• Interview questions provided prior to the interview
• Extended interview time
• A quiet or distraction-free interview setting
• Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility (e.g. pinning participants)
• Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials please e-mail: . Please note resume and cover letter are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

People with disabilities people of color people in all protected classes and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply. Make a difference! We fight for the rights of people that have disabilities.... JOIN US!

LOCATION:

Atascadero State Hospital (fully onsite/ in-person)

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

Non-exempt; Regular; Full-time (37.5 hrs).

SALARY RANGE:

$27.47 hr. - $40.23 hr. / $53560 - $78452.40 yr (Band 6)

We base salary offers on program budget experience and an internal equity analysis. Therefore our offers are firm.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS including 8% 401k Match. A language differential up to $250/mo. Health (HMO and PPO options) dental vision basic life insurance short-term and long-term disability insurance and flexible spending accounts (medical dependent care and commuter). Additionally we offer ample vacation sick/self-care leave and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December) and more. We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Open until filled. Applications should be received by October 31 2025 to be considered for the first round of interviews. Resume and cover letter are reviewed and required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

WHO WE ARE

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 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 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.

California Office of Patients Rights (COPR)

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.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

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.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions of a Patients Rights Advocate include:

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 DRCs values around diversity equity and inclusion.

Conducting unit visits at the state hospital on a weekly basis.

Performing other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

(Applicants MUST meet EACH of the minimum qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

Bachelors Degree in a related field. Four years direct life experience as a mental health consumer or four years experience as a consumer advocate may be substituted in lieu of the Bachelors 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 Bachelors 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.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

(Applicants DO NOT have to meet any of the Desirable Qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

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.

BILINGUAL ABILITY:

n/a

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES

This position has no license or certificates requirements. Applicants must be able to pass a background check with the State of California to be eligible for a DSH contractor identification badge (ID.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to travel to locations other than the primary work location infrequently for activities such as training site coverage and unit meetings up to 10% of the time.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job which can be performed with or without disability related reasonable accommodations.

Duties are performed onsite at a state hospital. Most duties are performed either in a two-person or shared office environment or in a secure health care setting.

Duties include moving inside and outside of buildings including within the secured treatment area to observe resident living environments and provide direct advocacy services.

Duties regularly require regular communication over online platforms.

Duties occasionally require periods of maneuvering about the office area primarily related to processing paperwork or performing other clerical tasks. These duties may occasionally consist of lifting and/or moving filing boxes and other packages weighing up to 25 pounds.

Duties require compliance with applicable safety/ security protocols and health and safety requirements of the Department of State Hospitals.