What are the responsibilities and job description for the Patient Rights Advocate - Bilingual (English/Spanish) position at Kings County?
Kings County Behavioral Health is offering an exciting opportunity to work for a department that strives to foster resiliency and promote wellness. The Department’s mission is to provide the best comprehensive, coordinated and culturally responsive behavioral health services for adults and children living with mental illness and substance use disorders in Kings County. For more information about the Kings County Behavioral Health Department, please click here.
This recruitment is to fill a position that requires bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (an examination may be conducted to evaluate the candidate's bilingual fluency). There is one immediate full-time vacancy. Future vacancies for this position may be filled from the eligible list to be established. The expected life of the eligible list is six months.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This journey-level classification is responsible for independently performing technical duties in support of behavioral health patients’ and their rights as consumers. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Receives, investigates, and remedies complaints concerning the violation or abuse of rights; advocates on behalf of mental health and SUD patients and community members; provides information, support, and referrals.
- Advises patients of their rights, options related to complaints and grievances, implications of each option, and assists patients in making informed choices.
- Collaborates with local hospitals and hearing officers to advise patients on involuntary psychiatric holds regarding their rights and advocate on behalf of the patient during applicable certification review hearings.
- Acts as a consultant to behavioral health professionals concerning patients’ rights; provides information, education, and training related to behavioral health law and patient rights; monitors providers for compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Serves as a liaison and facilitates communication between various county programs and contracted service providers related to patients’ rights; collaborates to share information and resolve issues and complaints.
- Analyzes information and data collected through investigations into complaints and grievances; recommends improvements to processes, policies, and procedures as appropriate to improve service delivery and the patient experience.
- Attends and participates in community and outreach events; provides information and resources to the public concerning mental health and SUD patients’ rights.
- Collects, compiles, and reviews data related to complaints, grievances, and resolutions; prepares a variety of statistical and narrative reports and correspondence as required by local, state, and federal agencies.
- Reviews current policies for compliance with statutes, regulations, laws, and clinical standards; conducts research on laws and regulations and County compliance with same; assists behavioral health management with patient rights policy development and procedure revisions.
- Establishes and accurately maintains multiple case files, including regular updates and review of all communication and contacts with patients, service providers, and resolution follow-up.
- Performs various administrative tasks such as receiving telephone calls, processing forms, entering data into specialized computer systems, and maintaining appropriate files and records.
- Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, conferences, trainings, and other staff development activities.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but it is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment. When completing the work history portion of your application please include each level position title and level as a separate entry when applicable (e.g., If you were a Personnel Technician I and promoted to Personnel Technician II, each level should be entered separately to reflect the time held at each level).
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:
- Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, sociology, or a related field.
- Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in providing information, education, and support to mental health or substance use disorder clients.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licenses:
- Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of employment, a valid Patient’s Rights Advocacy Training Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.
If you currently possess a valid Patient's Rights Advocacy Training Certificate, please attach it prior to submitting your application. For more information on how to add attachments to your application, click here.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check; must be willing to work irregular hours as required; travel within and outside the County. Certain positions in this classification may be designated as bilingual requiring fluency in a foreign language.
For a detailed job description, click on the link below:
Patient Rights Advocate
Patient Rights Advocate
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or a written examination (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.
Tentative Recruitment Process
Final Date to Apply: Monday, April 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
First Panel Interview with Human Resources: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Tentative Recruitment Process
Final Date to Apply: Monday, April 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
First Panel Interview with Human Resources: Thursday, May 8, 2025
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Veteran's Preference Application
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
Veteran's Preference Application
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
Salary : $56,285 - $68,682
