Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocate - Alameda County

Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocate – Alameda County Do you have personal experience advocating for or working with clients with mental health challenges who are in crisis? Mental illness affects everyone, especially in crisis situations, and patients' rights advocates work to ensure that the rights of mentally ill patients are maintained during hospitalization. Advocates represent clients during hearings and provide education, information, and referrals when needed. Benefits Competitive salary Eligible for first pay increase after successful completion of 3‑month introductory period Some positions eligible for 4.5% bilingual pay differential for proficiency in an Alameda County threshold language 100 % paid medical and dental for the employee 401(k) retirement program Employee assistance program with free telehealth access to doctors and licensed therapists Generous time off benefits: 14 paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Years Vacation leave of 2 weeks per year, increasing to 4 weeks by year four Reimbursement for work‑related 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 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, the African American Family Outreach Program, and Patients' Rights Advocacy. Together, these programs assist thousands of people with serious mental illness and their family members every year. 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 in compliance with the codes and regulations governing their treatment. Typical Duties and Responsibilities Provide representation to patients residing in LPS‑designated facilities county‑wide Represent patients/residents in certification review hearings (for people facing up to 14‑day involuntary detention) and in capacity hearings (for those facing involuntary treatment with psychotropic medications) Provide support to adolescents in the Independent Clinical Review process Conduct interviews in preparation for hearings Complete thorough and timely documentation of all assigned hearings Investigate allegations of rights violations, including possible abuse or neglect 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 Educate patients/residents about their rights and the hearing process Respond to inquiries regarding laws and procedures on voluntary and involuntary mental health treatment Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or equivalency 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 pass background check including review of State and Federal exclusion lists and live‑scan fingerprinting Possess a valid California driver’s license; motor vehicle available for daily use, required auto insurance and an acceptable driving record; 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 Spanish Experience delivering services using video‑based platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams Job Details Hours of work : Flexible Monday–Friday 9 am–5 pm; eligible for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of a 3‑month introductory period. Location : 2855 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705; advocates may travel locally up to 300 miles per month. Salary : $27.51 per hour. Benefits include generous vacation, sick leave, health/dental insurance for employees, 401(k) plan, and reimbursement for required travel at the federal reimbursement rate (currently $0.725 per mile). 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 committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Mhaac