Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocate
Mental Health Assn of Alameda County
- Oakland, CA
- $24.04-25.12 per hour
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Competitive Salary
- Eligible for first pay increase after successful completion of 6-month 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
- New Benefits EAP program with free 24/7 phone 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 time-off
- Supportive and collaborative work environment
- Tuition reimbursement
- On the job training
- 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
- Investigate allegations of rights violations, including possible abuse or neglect
- Ensure due process for individuals subject to involuntary detention and treatment
- Educates patients/residents about their rights and the hearing process
- Provide legal 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)
- Respond to inquiries regarding laws and procedures on voluntary and involuntary mental health treatment
- Possess a high school diploma, or equivalency certificate
- Must have demonstrated work history. Work experience may be paid or unpaid
- One year experience (paid position, volunteer, or lived experience as a caregiver) 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 self-determining
- 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 Covid-19 vaccination and proof of 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 driver's license, motor vehicle available for daily use, required auto insurance and have an acceptable driving record, as determined by MHAAC's 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)
- Bachelor's 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 non-judicial hearings (e.g. Social Security Disability Appeals hearings)
- Familiarity with mental health service system in Alameda County
- Bilingual - English plus one of Alameda County's threshold languages: Cantonese, Farsi, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, or Vietnamese
- Experience delivering services using video-based platforms such as Zoom
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster shots required. Hybrid work schedules. Limited staff onsite. Staff must be masked. Air purifiers.Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
- Spanish (Preferred)