Program Supervisor - Patients' Rights Advocacy

Does the idea of overseeing the work of mental health advocates who are advocating for clients who are in crisis and being held in psychiatric facilities intrigue you?

Turn this interest into a career as a Program Supervisor in our Patients' Rights Advocacy program.

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is a well-established non-profit organization with long term staff that assists and advocates for people with mental illness and their family members through programs including the Family Education Resource Center, the Family Partnership Program, and the Patients' Rights Advocacy Program. Together, these programs assist thousands of people with serious mental illness and their family members every year. We envision a world without stigma where people with mental health challenges and their family members are free to live their best lives. MHAAC's current budget is around $5 million.

We offer:

• Competitive salary
• Eligible for first pay increase after successful completion of 3-month introductory period
• Some positions eligible for Bilingual Pay Differential for fluency in a Sonoma County threshold language
• 100% paid medical and dental coverage for the employee
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that includes free unlimited access to Teledoc and Psychotherapy services
• Generous time off benefits: 14 paid Holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Years
• Vacation leave 2 weeks per year, increases to 4 weeks by year four of employment
• Paid lunch break
• Mileage reimbursement for work travel
• Paid volunteer time-off
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-the-job training

The Patients' Rights Advocacy Program of Alameda County (PRA) works to ensure that people with mental illness receive quality treatment from facilities and providers of mental health treatment and in compliance with the codes and regulations governing their treatment.

Reporting to the Director of the Patients' Rights Advocacy, the Program Supervisor is will carry out and oversee the duties of a County Patients' Rights Advocate as defined in statute beginning with W&I Code 5520. The Supervisor is responsible for the hiring, training, and performance management of all direct reports. The Supervisor is also responsible for the effective management of the hearing schedule for all facilities in an assigned county, ensuring that all hearings are staffed. In addition, the Program Supervisor trains PRA representation staff to provide support to adolescents in the Independent Clinical Review process.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise one Patients' Rights Advocate
• Conducts interviews in preparation for hearings and provides representation to patients residing in LPS-designated facilities county-wide
• Provides legal representation in certification review hearings (for people facing up to 14 days involuntary detention) and in capacity hearings (for those facing involuntary treatment with psychotropic medications)
• Provides support to adolescents in the Independent Clinical Review process
• Investigates allegations of rights violations, including possible abuse or neglect
• Trains Advocates to listen to client complaints and propose quick solutions
• Responds to inquiries regarding patient' rights laws and procedures on voluntary and involuntary mental health treatment
• Manages the intake and documentation of calls to the PRA line and keeps daily record of information and referral calls
• Ensures the completion of monthly and quarterly reports
• Educates patients/residents about their rights and the hearing process

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (additional experience may be substituted for the degree requirement)
• 2 years of experience working as a Title 9, County Patients' Rights Advocate
• 2 years of supervisory experience
• Ability to work professionally and effectively with people with mental illness and to champion patients' ability to be self-determining
• Ability to synthesize information and determine relevancy to the hearing process
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and follow MHAAC guidelines regarding document transport and storage
• Attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office - Outlook (email) and Word (documents)
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Ability to travel for hearings: Must have a valid California Drivers License, daily access to a working motor vehicle, maintain legally required auto liability insurance, and have an acceptable motor vehicle report as determined by MHAAC's insurance broker.
• Must be able to provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination and Omicron specific booster shot
• Must successfully pass a fingerprint background check by CADOJ and the FBI

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Sonoma County Behavioral Health Care System
• Prior work as a Patients' Rights Advocate and/or Certification Review Hearing Representative
• Experience representing clients at non-judicial hearings (e.g. Social Security Disability Appeals hearings)
• Bilingual in one of Sonoma County's threshold languages: English plus Spanish
• Knowledge of laws governing mental health in California
• Experience delivering services using video-based platforms such as Zoom

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week, M-F, 9 am - 5 pm, must occasionally work on legal holidays. Eligible for hybrid work schedule after successful completion of 3-mos introductory period.

Location: 2227 Capricorn Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407. Position will require occasional travel by car to meetings within Sonoma County

FSLA Status: Exempt

Salary: $65,000 annually

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

We are also committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, connect with us and describe the specific accommodation needed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000 annually

Benefits:

• 401(k) retirement plan
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• May occasionally need to work on legal holiday
• Hybrid schedule after successful completion of 3-mos introductory period

COVID-19 considerations:
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster shots required. Hybrid work schedules. Limited staff onsite. Air purifiers.

Education:

• Bachelors Degree (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: One location