MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS' RIGHTS MONITORING SPECIALIST

Would you like to improve mental healthcare in your community?

Do you have experience working in a 24 hour residential facility?

If you answered yes, this position may be right for you!

We seek an extraordinary individual who is willing to champion the rights of vulnerable community members. The Monitoring Specialist provides essential oversight of mental health facilities in Alameda County to prevent neglect or abuse and ensure that clients are treated humanely.

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 and Resource Center, the Family Partnership Program, and Patients' Rights Advocacy. 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 $4 million.

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

WE OFFER:

• Competitive salary
• Eligible for first pay increase after successful completion of 6-month introductory period
• Some positions eligible for 4.5% Bilingual Pay Differential for fluency in an Alameda County threshold language
• 100% paid medical and dental coverage for the employee
• New Benefits EAP program with free 24/7 phone access to doctors and licensed therapists
• 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
• Reimbursement for work travel
• Paid volunteer time off
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Tuition reimbursement
• On the job training

The Patients' Rights Monitoring Specialist reports to the Director of Training and Advocacy and is responsible for following up on accusations of client mistreatment in Alameda County mental health facilities.

The Monitoring Specialist is a Title 9, County Patients' Rights Advocate charged with observing and reviewing mental health facilities as legislated in W&I Code, §5520. The Specialist conducts planned and unplanned site visits to mental health facilities to observe both the physical condition of building and treatment protocols. Frequent observations ensure that patients' rights are protected and that they are free from abuse and neglect.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Conducts focused monitoring of reported and suspected abuse and/or neglect in mental health treatment facilities and tracks trends
• Conducts thorough chart reviews and client interviews during monitoring
• Monitors treatment facilities for compliance with state, CMS, and the Joint Commission requirements in the use of seclusion and/or behavioral restraints
• Ensures that mental health consumers in all licensed and community care facilities are notified of their rights
• Works collaboratively with facility staff to address deficiencies noted by the Specialist during observation periods
• Provides educational training to mental health facility workers about mental health law and patients' rights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate of Arts (AA) Degree
• Must have demonstrated work history. Work experience may be paid or unpaid.
• Two years experience working in a 24 hour residential facility
• Highly developed understanding of the principles of facility/program monitoring
• Solid written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with MS Office 365 software applications including: Email (Outlook), Documents (Word), Spreadsheets (Excel), Presentations (PowerPoint), and Collaborative Work (Teams)
• Must have a valid CA 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 proof of booster shots, if eligible
• Must successfully pass a fingerprint background check by CA DOJ and the FBI

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree (BA)
• Two years experience monitoring 24 hour facilities
• Bilingual in an Alameda County threshold language: Cantonese, Farsi, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, or Vietnamese
• Knowledge of codes and regulations governing the treatment of mental health disorders

HOURS OF WORK: Full-time, Tuesday through Saturday 12 noon to 8 pm

WORK LOCATION: 954 60th Street, Oakland, CA 94608

COVID CONSIDERATIONS: All staff are required to show proof of full Covid-19 vaccination and booster shots. Hybrid work schedules. All staff wear masks in the office. Air purifiers.

SALARY: $24.91 per hour (approx. $51,818 annually) plus 4.5% Bilingual Pay Differential for actual hours worked - if fluent in an Alameda county threshold language. Employee benefits include generous vacation, sick leave, and health/dental insurance. Required travel for clients and meetings is reimbursed at the federal reimbursement rate

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and/or physical), those who exercise the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender identity/expression, 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 and inclusive and accountable workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position or participate in the interview process, then please connect with us and describe the specific accommodation request for your disability-related limitation.