Patient Rights Advocate

Salary: $19.78 - $25.39 Hourly
Location : Eureka, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-00052
Department: Department of Health and Human Services
Division: 424 - Mental Health
Opening Date: 02/20/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
DEFINITION
Patient Rights Advocate
Department of Health & Human Services
Are you interested in making a difference? If so, please consider joining our dedicated team at the Department of Health & Human Services! This position reports directly to the Behavioral Health Director. This position will require being present for meetings in multiple hospital locations around the county with the majority of which occurring in Eureka.
What You'll Do:
This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including;

• Receiving and investigating complaints, advocating for behavioral health clients, and training behavioral health staff and community partners.
• Ensuring that behavioral health clients are informed of their rights.
• Monitors behavioral health facilities for Patient Rights compliance.

Where You'll Do It:
This position is located in Eureka, CA.
The schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm.
This is a continuous recruitment and Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.
Under direction, ensures that mental health consumers are informed of their rights; represents and advocates on behalf of mental health consumers; provides training regarding Patient Rights to mental health treatment staff and community partners; monitors mental health facilities for Patient Rights compliance and investigates complaints; performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is utilized by the Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health and reports to the Director of Mental Health. The incumbent performs duties in accordance with the Patient Rights Advocacy Program such as receiving and investigating complaints, advocating for mental health patients, and training mental health staff and community partners.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Receives, investigates, and resolves patient complaints concerning the violation or abuse of rights.
• Advocates on behalf of mental health patients; represents consumers during "probable cause hearing" procedures.
• Collects, compiles, and submits to the State Patients' Rights Office, statistical data regarding the denial of rights.
• Acts as a consultant to mental health professionals concerning Patient Rights; trains staff in mental health facilities regarding Patient Rights laws, regulations, and policies; provides training and consultation to mental health constituency groups; attends mandated Patients' Rights training conferences.
• Ensures that incoming patients and residents are notified of their rights; provides information to consumers concerning Patient Rights through direct training sessions, Patient Rights handbooks and pamphlets, and posting the list of Patient Rights in all mental health facilities.
• Monitors mental health facilities, services, and programs for compliance with Patient Rights statutes and regulations.
• Assists mental health administration and management with Patient Rights policy development.
• Performs other duties related to the work as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Basic California civil commitment laws and regulations; basic service rights of persons receiving mental health services; the Patient Rights Advocacy Program.
• Basic administrative and judicial due process proceedings; basic service system financial entitlements.
• Mental health programs and services available in the community.
• Principals of interviewing and report writing.
• Advocacy ethics and principals.

Skill in:

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with consumers, providers, public administrators, community groups, and the judicial system.
• Interpreting and applying codes and regulations.
• Preparing effective reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Training others in the rights of mental health patients.
• Exercising independent judgment within established policy guidelines.

Other Requirements:
Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Desirable Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:
Two years of journey level work experience with a mental health facility, hospital or related agency with duties that include inter-personal communication with mental health patients, staff, and community partners and requires a working knowledge of mental health programs and Patient Rights.
WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMPLOYEE PERKS
For information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage:
For details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to fill out the application?

• You should allow 30 - 45 minutes to fill out your application.

Can I change my application after submitting it?

• You may only submit one application per day.
• You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.
• Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.

How long until I hear back from you?

• You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 - 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

How can I check for updates on my application?

• You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?

• Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

The County of Humboldt's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways - oftentimes, outside of formal institutions - and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant's qualifications for a position.
If you're excited about this role but your past work experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications must be submitted online through the County's automated application system at no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by both Human Resources staff and may be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.
It is important that your application shows all the relevant experience and education you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments.
Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.
CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM
Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

• Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
• Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
• Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62

If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you'd be in Tier III.

• 2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that's called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
• If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
The County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair. Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. "Examination" doesn't always mean taking a test, sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied, and an "oral examination" means a scored and structured interview.
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.
The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.
OTHER EXAMINATIONS
Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.
LICENSES
Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY
It is the County's intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.
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This position requires driving on behalf of the County of Humboldt. Do you possess a current and valid U.S. driver's license?

• Yes