Position Title: Patient Rights Advocate

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Patient Advocacy Program

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Non-Exempt

Work Setting: Fully Onsite

Reports To: Director of Patient Advocacy

Pay Range: $27-$29.74/hour

Total Compensation:

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

Position Overview:

Provide advocacy services to consumers with mental illness and substance use disorders who are receiving services in psychiatric hospitals, crisis centers, residential substance use disorder treatment facilities, board and care and skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, and licensed residential facilities. Duties include conducting educational training for consumers and professionals, investigating claims of client rights violations, and representing behavioral health clients at Certification Review Hearings for involuntary psychiatric holds.

Responsibilities:

• Investigate and resolve complaints and grievances from clients about rights violations
• Visit and monitor facilities for compliance with clients’ rights laws, regulations, and policies
• Represent clients at Certification Review hearings for involuntary holds in psychiatric hospitals
• Provide educational training for clients and staff in psychiatric hospitals, licensed board and care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and substance use disorder facilities as needed and per contract requirements
• Maintain and submit documents, files, and reports as required by policy and contract requirements
• Document advocacy efforts in database system

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• BA/BS or equivalent experience
• Must have a valid CA driver's license, insurance, a reliable personal vehicle, and a willingness to travel off-site
• Experience working with clients diagnosed with behavioral health diagnoses which can sometimes result in unpredictable or aggressive behavior
• Knowledge of clients’ rights law and/or willingness and ability to learn California State laws and San Diego County policies and procedures as they pertain to clients’ rights and behavioral health
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Flexible and able to handle emotionally intense situations
• Willingness to be exposed to contagious illnesses when entering health facilities. Safety precautions are provided
• Experience working in high-stress environments and emotionally charged situations that can lead to mental and emotional burnout. Emphasis on one’s wellness should be prioritized
• Willingness to visit facilities like correctional institutions, where individuals are in crisis, which may pose physical safety risks
• Experienced in facing verbal abuse or hostile interactions from clients, family members, or facility staff
• Ability to work with a wide range of community groups including professionals, facility administrators, clients with behavioral health diagnoses, as well as advocacy groups such as NAMI, DRC, Ombudsman, etc
• Strong sense of ethics
• Ability and willingness to regularly use office equipment such as computers fax machines, telephones and cell phones
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to

• Sit, talk and listen
• Stand, walk, and use hands and arms to use a keyboard, handle papers, and reach for the phone
• Occasionally climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Concentration and good hearing are required

Other Duties:

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Important Notice:

Please submit your resume and cover letter on your application.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided).

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community. For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving. At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency. We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is your success. Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together. To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org.

*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.