Lead Patient Advocate, Patient Advocacy

Position Title: Patient Advocate Lead

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: Program Director

Pay Range: $32.00 to $34.00/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: 

JFS is looking for a compassionate, mission-driven individual to join the Patient Advocacy team as a Patient Advocate Lead.  In this role, you have the opportunity to use your leadership skills and advocacy experience to make a meaningful difference in your community and help change lives across San Diego. The Patient Advocate Lead plays an integral role on the team and supports the entire agency by adhering to the Jewish values. This position reports directly to the Program Director and works closely with the other Patient Advocate lead and the rest of the Patient Advocacy team.

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:

• Provide day-to-day leadership and coordination of the Patient Advocacy Program
• Participate in hiring, training, and supporting qualified staff and volunteers, and continually assist with the development of a team focused on collaboration, productivity, efficiency, and passion
• Follow up with new hires to ensure timely completion of requirements
• Assist Director/Program Manager with the completion of quarterly and annual status reports
• Build and maintain relationships and collaborate effectively with a wide range of community partners, including: professionals, facility administrators, law enforcement, fellow advocates across the state, as well as advocacy groups such as NAMI, CCHEA, DRC, etc.
• Assist with the review of goals and objectives of program on a quarterly basis and revise programming according to evaluation findings mid quarter
• Leverage individual staff strengths to continually improve program needs and objectives
• Attend and participate in community meetings, committees, and events relevant to the provision of behavioral health services in private and publicly funded treatment and residential facilities
• Maintain an awareness of current community resources relevant to the populations served
• Respond to questions from the behavioral health community

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

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License, reliable transportation, insurance and be able to travel throughout the county
• BA/BS or equivalent experience
• One year of leadership experience consisted of guiding, supporting and developing mentees to achieve professional growth
• Review, edit, and finalize internal and external correspondence, including grievance and appeal letters and emails, to ensure accuracy, professionalism, and compliance with company standards
• 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
• Willingness to be exposed to contagious illnesses when entering health facilities. Safety precautions are provided
• Experience working in high-stress environments and emotionally charg