Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocate - Mental Health Assn of Alameda County

MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCATE

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 3-month introductory period
• 4.5% Bilingual Pay Differential for proficiency in an Alameda County threshold language
• 100% paid medical and dental for the employee
• 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

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is a well-established non-profit 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. MHAAC's 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 two new Patients' Rights Advocates.

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

• 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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 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)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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

HOURS OF WORK: Flexible Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm, including paid lunch break

LOCATION: This position will be based in Berkeley, CA. Advocates may travel locally up to 300 miles per month.

SALARY: $24.76 per hour (approximately $51,500 annually). Employee benefits include generous vacation, sick leave, and health/dental insurance for employees. Required travel for meetings is reimbursed at the federal reimbursement rate

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: Full-time

Pay: $24.76 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• 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

COVID-19 considerations:
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster shots required. Air purifiers in office.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: One location