Patient Rights Advocate

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. 

This position is located in Eureka, CA. 

The schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm.  

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.

•  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.

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.HOW TO APPLY
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applicants must apply online through the county’s automated application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca.
Applications must be submitted no later than the final filing date and time listed on the job flyer.
It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
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.
 
SELECTION PROCEDURE
The county utilizes a set of rules to ensure that our hiring processes are fair and equitable. Applications will be screened and those considered most qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.
 
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?

• No. Once an application has been submitted, it is final. Applicants may submit a new application with updated information during the filing period if they wish. Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will not be considered.

How long until I hear back from you and how can I check for updates on my application?

• You may receive communications regarding your application at different stages of the selection process. Important updates will be sent to the email address listed in your governmentjobs.com account at the time of notification. To ensure you don't miss any critical information, we recommend keeping your email address current and regularly checking both your inbox and junk mail folders throughout the process. You can also log into your governmentjobs.com account at any time to check your application status. If you have any questions about your application's progress, feel free to contact the County of Humboldt Human Resources Personnel Division at 707-476-2349 or personnel@co.humboldt.ca.us.

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

• Yes, you will be informed via email if you are not selected for an interview / Oral Exam.

 
EMPLOYEE PERKS

• For more information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage: https://humboldtgov.org/2492/Employee-Benefits. 
• For more details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer: https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/115226/Employee-Perks-Flyer-. 

 
OUR 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 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.
 
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 will be in Tier III.

• 2% 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 @.
• For example, if you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of the average of your three highest years of annual pay in retirement payments. 

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.

Salary : $20 - $25