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Patients' Rights Advocate (#RH0150)


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DEFINITION

Under direction, represents and advocates on behalf of County mental health consumers; and does other or related work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

An employee of this class ensures that patients and facilities providing mental health services or residential care are afforded their statutory and constitutional rights.

TYPICAL DUTIES

  • Investigates complaints and conducts investigations concerning mental health system or involving the abuse, unreasonable denial or punitive withholding of mentally disabled patients’ rights.
  • Advocates on behalf of clients or significant others unable to register complaints; acts as liaison between aggrieved party, Mental Health Services, and other agencies; recommends resolution of complaints; acts as client’s representative during “probable cause hearing” procedures and/or administrative or judicial hearings.
  • Prepares comprehensive written reports regarding complaints and findings.
  • Provides training for employees of public and private facilities regarding patients’ rights; prepares and/or distributes pamphlets and other information on patients’ rights as appropriate.
  • Visits divisions of Mental Health Services and other facilities to assure compliance with patients’ rights laws.
  • Represents Mental Health Services at patients’ rights meetings and conferences as required; promotes consumer interest groups and/or self-help groups as appropriate; speaks before groups.

    • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field.

    Experience:  Four years of social work experience in a public or private mental health facility.

    Substitution: Possession of a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

    KNOWLEDGE

    The basic principles of mental health; laws, rules and regulations governing a public mental health agency; principles and techniques of counseling and case recording; the service system, financial entitlements and service rights of persons receiving mental health services; patients’ rights in institutional and community facilities; civil commitment statutes and procedures; state and federal laws and regulations affecting recipients of mental health services; administrative and judicial due process proceedings; advocacy ethics and principles.

    ABILITY

    Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively orally and in writing; work with groups and individuals to effect changes in behavior; counsel service recipients; investigate and assure compliance and screen for legal problems.

    CLASS: RH0150; EST: 2/10/1988;