Contra Costa County Program Director

Job Description

Job Description

Patients’ Right Program Director (Contra Costa County)

Department: Directorate Team

Reports To: Deputy Director

FLSA Status: Full time, Exempt
Work Location: In Office; 1350 Arnold Dr, Suite 200, Martinez, CA 94553; Contra Costa County Office.

Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday- Friday; 37.5 hours per week. Additional hours as required to meet hearing coverage, reporting deadlines and contract requirements.

Position Summary

The Patients' Rights Program Director is accountable for protecting and advancing the statutory and constitutional rights of behavioral health clients served under the Contra Costa County Office of Patients' Rights contract. This role leads program strategy, staff performance, contract compliance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. The Director ensures advocacy is timely, client-directed, and fully compliant with Welfare and Institutions Code, California Code of Regulations, and County policies.

Leadership Expectations

• Set the standard for advocacy quality, responsiveness, and professionalism across the program.
• Run a disciplined compliance calendar and hold staff accountable to deadlines.
• Build strong county and facility relationships without compromising program independence.
• Operate as a risk manager: identify issues early and drive corrective action fast.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure program compliance with all applicable Welfare and Institutions Code requirements, California Code of Regulations, and County policies related to patients' rights advocacy.
• Lead and supervise supervisors and advocates, including hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Ensure timely access standards are met for clients contacting the program directly and through facility referrals.
• Oversee advocacy work including Certification Review hearings and other legal proceedings; ensure advocates represent clients' expressed interests.
• Oversee investigation and resolution of patients' rights complaints at the lowest level possible and in a timely manner; ensure escalations follow policy.
• Ensure completion of monthly and quarterly reports and submission of required attachments to the County, including staff rosters as required.
• Ensure Adverse Incident Reports and other reportable event documentation are submitted within 24 hours when required and that corrective actions are tracked.
• Lead required outreach activities, including providing patients' rights advocacy training at ED, acute, sub-acute, and residential settings at least twice annually, and annual board and care visits with maintained findings database.
• Conduct quarterly input sessions with clients, families, direct care staff, and community partners; provide summary and follow-up plan to the County each quarter.
• Represent SWS at County provider meetings and workgroups; ensure program remains current on updates issued through those forums.
• Oversee data integrity and equity-focused quality improvement, including analysis to ensure outcomes are not driven by protected characteristics.
• Ensure compliance with County requirements related to GenAI technology use and reporting, including notification and discontinuation if directed by the County.
• Serve as program spokesperson as assigned; manage stakeholder relationships with hospitals, EDs, and community partners.
• Coordinate with leadership on budget, staffing plans, and risk management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in patients' rights advocacy, mental health law, healthcare compliance, or a closely related field, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong working knowledge of LPS processes, hearings, and patients' rights statutory framework.
• Proven staff leadership skills, including coaching, corrective action, and building a high-performance culture.
• Ability to produce clear written reports and maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn required county systems and reporting tools.
• Valid California driver license and proof of auto insurance; ability to travel to facilities across the county.
• Successful completion of DOJ background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (law, public health, healthcare administration) or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with County behavioral health systems and contract monitoring.

Work Environment

• This is primarily an in-person position.
• Regular in-person attendance is required at assigned program locations, facilities, community meetings, trainings, and other work-related sites.
• With supervisory approval, the employee may work from an approved home office for up to two days per week.
• Home-office days are intended primarily for administrative duties, including:
• Documentation
• Reporting
• Scheduling
• Correspondence
• Other related administrative tasks
• The employee must remain available and responsive during all scheduled work hours.
• On-site attendance may be required on a scheduled home-office day due to:
• Meetings
• Staffing needs
• Training
• Facility matters
• Emergencies
• Other operational priorities
• The home-office arrangement is not guaranteed and may be modified or discontinued based on program or organizational needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods, travel, and perform facility walk-throughs; ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Compliance and Performance Expectations

• Protect the client’s voice and client choice, while remaining within legal and role boundaries.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and county privacy requirements.
• Meet all reporting deadlines; late reporting is a compliance risk and will be addressed as performance.
• Follow SWS Employee Handbook policies on conduct, attendance, technology use, and safety.
• Use only approved technology to store, transmit, or process client information.