Patient Rights Advocate (Skilled Nursing Facilities), Patient Advocacy

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: Onsite

Reports To: Patient Advocacy Supervisor

Pay Range: $25.03-$26.64/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:

Do you hate injustice? Do you like fighting for the underdog? Would you like to be a part of a dynamic and dedicated team of advocates who travel the county representing behavioral health clients and ensuring that their rights are upheld? 

We’re looking for an outstanding individual who loves challenge and gets satisfaction from helping others in need.  

Our highly regarded advocates investigate and resolve complaints, concerns, appeals, or grievances received from clients receiving behavioral health services about rights violations, coordinate efforts with other agencies as needed, and visit and monitor facilities for compliance with clients’ rights laws, regulations, and policies. They also ensure that clients, staff members, owners, and administrators are informed of the rights of persons with behavioral health challenges.

The person hired for this position will provide advocacy services to residents receiving behavioral health services residing in SNFs (Skilled Nursing Facilities), conduct trainings for SNF residents, SNF staff and other professionals. They also represent clients receiving behavioral health services at Certification Review Hearings for involuntary holds in hospitals providing care to clients receiving behavioral health services.

Key Talents:  You are proud of your communication skills, both written and oral.  You demonstrate great compassion for your fellow human, and you have a deep sense of responsibility and accountability. You also have a well-developed sense of humor and like to make your work fun. 

This position reports directly to the Patient Advocacy Supervisor for Residential Services and works closely with the SNF team and the rest of the Patient Advocacy team.

Responsibilities:

• The advocate will investigate and resolve complaints, concerns, appeals or grievances received from clients about rights violations, coordinate efforts with other agencies as needed, and visit and monitor facilities for compliance with patients’ and residents’ rights laws, regulations and policies
• The advocate will represent patients at their Certification Review Hearings. They also ensure that clients, staff, owners, and administrators are informed of the rights of persons living with a mental health and/or substance use disorder diagnosis
• Other duties include conducting outreach activities, regular facility visits, and providing educational trainings for consumers and professionals. Strong presentation, writing, and communication skills are required

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

• Experience working with clients who have behavioral health diagnoses
• Knowledge of clients’ rights law and/or willingness and ability to learn California State laws, federal laws, and San Diego County policies and procedures as they pertain to clients’ rights and behavioral health
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• 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 or CANHR
• 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
• Flexible and able to handle emotionally intense situations
• Must have a valid CA driver's license, a clean driving record, insurance, a reliable personal vehicle, and a willingness to travel throughout San Diego County (