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Make a difference! We stand for the rights of people that have disabilities....JOIN US!
Individuals who are Deaf or Disabled are encouraged to apply.
Location: Coalinga State Hospital in Coalinga, California
Salary Range (Depending on Experience): $27.47 - $28.84 hr We base salary and position offers on experience and an internal equity analysis.
EXCELLENT BENEFITS including 8% 401k Match, a language differential up to $250/mo. Health (HMO and PPO options), dental, vision; basic life insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Additionally, we offer ample vacation, sick/wellness leave and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December) and more….. We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.
Employment Status: Regular, non-Exempt, Full-Time, 37.5 hours
Application Deadline: Open until filled.
WHO WE ARE
Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.
DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.
DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.
California Office of Patients’ Rights (COPR)
COPR is contracted by the Department of State Hospitals and working with the Department of Healthcare Services to ensure that the treatment and legal rights of people receiving mental health treatment are maintained.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Patients’ Rights Advocate (PRA) provides advocacy services to, and investigates complaints regarding abuse and denials of rights of, state hospital patients, provides training to both the hospital staff and residents, and represents patients at hearings on-site involving involuntary medication or at other due process hearings.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. Patients’ Rights Advocate essential functions include:
- Receive and investigate complaints from or concerning state hospitals regarding abuse/neglect, punitive withholding, or unreasonable denial of patients’ rights.
- Provide direct representation for involuntary medication hearings held in-house at the State Hospitals.
- Maintain the complaint process and services in a confidential manner.
- Ensure that state hospital residents are notified of their rights and provide informational presentations to residents regarding their rights.
- Provide training and education about mental health laws and patients’ rights to facility staff. Act as a consultant to hospital staff in the area of patients’ rights.
- Advocate for residents who are unable to register a complaint because of their physical or mental health condition.
- Participate in all unit meetings, training, functions, and communications.
- Monitor facility programs and services for compliance with patients’ rights laws, regulations, and procedures as directed.
- Participation in outreach activities to minority and underserved populations.
- Conduct unit visits on a weekly basis.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Four years of direct life experience as a mental health consumer or four years experience as a consumer advocate may be substituted in lieu of the Bachelor’s Degree (i.e., social work, counseling, self-help).
- Two years experience as a consumer advocate within the social, human service, government, or health care environment. (If using experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, this qualification has been met).
- Working knowledge and understanding of the mental health and criminal justice systems.
- Experience utilizing Microsoft Word/Windows or comparable word processing programs on a personal computer.
- Experience working with and a sensitivity to the rights of persons with disabilities.
- Experience working with and sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.
Licenses / Certificates
This position has no licenses or certificate requirements.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel infrequently for activities such as training, site coverage, and unit meetings, up to 10% of the time.
High speed internet connection is required to work for us.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in direct advocacy for persons with psychiatric disabilities.
- A working knowledge of the legal, civil, and service rights of persons with psychiatric disabilities in California.
- Ability to speak Spanish or an Asian language, or American Sign Language (ASL).
- Experience with the mental health system as a current or former consumer/or with a family member, significant other.
- Contacts with disability organizations and/or within disability communities.
- Contacts with multi-ethnic organizations and/or within multi-ethnic communities.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability-related reasonable accommodations. Duties are performed in a two-person or shared office environment. Walking inside and outside of buildings to observe resident living environments and provide direct advocacy services. Duties regularly require include communicating with clients. Duties occasionally require periods of standing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching primarily related to processing paperwork. Weights to be lifted and/or moved of filing boxes and other packages up to 25 pounds are occasionally encountered.
If you are interested in becoming a part of DRC, please submit the following:
1. Online Disability Rights California Application Form
2. Your resume
3. Cover Letter: We need a workforce that can utilize insights and strategies that can come from both professional and personal experience. In your cover letter, please tell us about yourself and why you are a great fit for this position and for DRC.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
At Disability Rights California, we value diversity among our employees because unique perspectives allow us to effectively serve Californians with disabilities from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age (over 40), Disability (mental and physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Disability Rights California endorses and supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations.
