Recipient Rights Officer

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Recipient Rights Officer will assure the Agency operates a Recipient Rights System that is in compliance with the Michigan Mental Health Code (P.A. 258 of 1974, as amended), particularly Chapters 7 and 7a. Receive reports of, and investigate apparent or suspected violations of rights. Act to assist recipients of mental health services in obtaining resolution of complaints, and act on behalf of recipients for apparent violations. Otherwise endeavor to safeguard the rights guaranteed by the Mental Health Code through activities of prevention, monitoring and education of the Agency and its staff.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prevention

• Prepare and/or review Agency policies, procedures, and standards relating to the rights of recipients.
• Work cooperatively with outside agencies such as Michigan Protection and Advocacy, state departments, and local law enforcement agencies, and other advocacy or regulatory groups to ensure protection of rights of recipients being served by the Agency.
• Assure that all contracts for mental health services entered into by the Agency contain language which protects and promotes the rights of mental health service recipients, by mandating training of contract staff and adherence to the rights protection system.
• Alert the Chief Executive Officer to Agency practices that may potentially violate rights.

Monitoring

• Review incident reports regarding recipients. Whenever such reports indicate a potential violation of rights has occurred, assure that an investigation (or intervention) is initiated.
• Review the circumstances surrounding the death of, or serious injury to a recipient. If there is an apparent or suspected violation of rights conduct an investigation.
• Review reports from accrediting bodies where information pertinent to rights protection is contained.
• Conduct announced and unannounced visits to all service sites, minimally once per year. Document deficiencies and act to monitor remedial action to resolve deficiencies.

Education

• Oversees the development, organization, and implementation of training on recipient rights for employees, contract employees, volunteers, or other agents of the Agency, within 30 days of their hire. When possible, develop training for consumers and family members. Ensure training of the rights advisory and appeals committee members.
• Develop and conduct training as required by contract or in response to complaint trends.
• Receive and acknowledge all complaints of apparent or suspected violations of rights.
• Investigate, or if appropriate, intervene to resolve allegations of rights violations as specified by the Mental Health Code and contractual requirements. Determine responsibility for rights violations and recommend actions necessary to remediate violations in a timely manner and prevent recurrences.
• If necessary, assist the complainant or others with standing to appeal, in the appeal process.
• If necessary, assist the appellant in filing an appeal to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services when appeals have been exhausted at the local level.

Other

• Act as a staff liaison to the Recipient Rights Advisory Committee
• Assist the Recipient Rights Advisory Committee in reviewing the funding for the recipient rights office.
• Prepare an annual report of rights activity for review by the Advisory Committee and subsequent submission by the Agency Chief Executive Officer to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Board.
• Prepare a semiannual report of rights activity for review by the Advisory Committee and submission to MDHHS.
• Maintain knowledge of current practices in rights protection through participation in training annually (minimum of 36 rights credit hours every 3 years, as identified in the MDHHS-ORR Training Technical Requirement).

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a human services field, management, public administration, social science, or law.
• A minimum of one-year’s professional experience in investigation and advocacy within a private or public human services agency (or comparable experience) required.
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Code and the ability to interpret and apply statutes, rules, policies and procedures is helpful, but not required

Competencies

• Complete Basic Skills Training I & II
• Completes Advanced Investigations and Incident-report Writing
• Maintain Education Requirements for CEUs as directed in the State Contract and Recipient Rights Policy Manual

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

The Recipient Rights Officer will have no direct clinical service or supervisory responsibility.

• Leadership skills including comfort with decision-making responsibilities, coaching, teaching and counseling.
• Ability to inspire and build confidence in others and forge alliances and garner support.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• Complete Basic Skills Training I & II
• Completes Advanced Investigations and Incident-report Writing

Safety Sensitive Position

Risk Of Exposure To Blood Borne Pathogens

• Blood Borne Pathogens are microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include but are not limited to: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Persons performing this job function are at Low to MODERATE risk because they may occasionally come in contact with people that may be carriers of blood borne pathogens

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods of time, walk/move around and stand, talk and hear and use hands to handle, control or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Lift up to 25 pounds.
• Use close vision and ability to focus on computer screens and documents; distance vision; peripheral vison; depth perception; color vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Perform duties in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers routinely.

Stressful Conditions in the Work Environment Affecting This Position

• Challenging situations (dealing with difficult customers/vendors/employees, speaking publicly/giving presentations, interpreting data)

Work Schedule

• Available Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm, flexibility for occasional weekend and after-hours support.
• Ability to travel between offices and local offsite locations may be required.

Wellvance, formerly AuSable Valley Community Mental Health Authority, has many opportunities for those looking to make a difference in the lives of our community members by providing beneficial and cost-effective services to our consumers. Wellvance provides State funded public mental health services to Iosco, Ogemaw, and Oscoda counties in northern Michigan. Services are provided to people with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (I/DD), a Serious Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI), and/or those who may be Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED).

The right person will have the ability to demonstrate knowledge of, follow and utilize agency policies and procedures. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed within the organizational Job Description for this position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Candidates must be able to work a flexible schedule and travel throughout the Board's coverage area and, at times, around different areas of the state. Possession of a driver's license valid in the State of Michigan, vehicle insurance as required by Michigan Law, and a good driving record; be a U.S. Citizen or have possession of necessary papers allowing holder to work legally within the United States.

A Pre-Employment Background Check will be conducted in the following areas: Criminal (Both State and Federal Finger Printing), Driving, Educational and Employment record verifications/inquiries.

• PTO (paid time off) Accrual Program
• Paid Holidays
• BC/BS PPO Medical Benefits
• Health Savings Account
• Flex Savings Account
• Dental
• Vision
• Pension Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Student Loan Payment Assistance
• Term Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• AFLAC

• If you are having issues applying for a position or have questions about applying, email hr@wellvance.org