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Pottawattamie County is Hiring a Mental Health Advocate Near Council, IA
In collaboration with the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Community Services is looking to fill the position of Mental Health Advocate!
The Code of Iowa, section 229.19, governs the Mental Health Advocate position. Each County is required to appoint a mental health advocate to represent the interests of clients involuntarily hospitalized by the Court. The advocate is to act as the support person for all persons in their assigned service area involved in involuntary hospitalization proceedings and their follow-up treatment. The advocate's responsibilities begin when notice is received in compliance with Code section 229.9A.
This position is appointed by the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors and reports directly to the Community Services Supervisor.
Primary reporting location will be at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse located at 227 S. 6th St., Council Bluffs. Some daytime travel required to support clients within the 8 surrounding Counties served.
Pottawattamie County offers employees a strong benefit plan at a reasonable cost. Our benefit offerings include health, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, and other voluntary benefits.
To highlight some of our amazing benefits:
We are excited to share that the starting pay for this position will increase to $25.10/hr. beginning July 1, 2024!
For each person the advocate is assigned to, the advocate is required by law to perform the activities listed below. This is an overall list, not one fully descriptive of every detail of what the Mental Health Advocate's responsibilities are.
(1) Review the reports, orders and applications submitted on the client pursuant to Chapter 229 of the Code of Iowa;
(2) Advise the Court at any time if it appears that the services of an attorney are needed to safeguard the client's interests;
(3) Be readily available to receive communications from the client and to communicate with the client directly within 5 days of the client's commitment;
(4) To visit the client within 15 days of that commitment and periodically thereafter;
(5) To communicate with the medical personnel treating the client as necessary and review the client's medical records;
(6) To file quarterly court reports (or more often as necessary or required by the court) stating the actions taken with respect to each individual client and amount of time spent.
(7) May attend the hospitalization hearing of any respondent for whom the advocate has received notice of a hospitalization hearing pursuant to 229.9ARELATED DUTIES:
The Code of Iowa, section 229.19, governs the Mental Health Advocate position. Each County is required to appoint a mental health advocate to represent the interests of clients involuntarily hospitalized by the Court. The advocate is to act as the support person for all persons in their assigned service area involved in involuntary hospitalization proceedings and their follow-up treatment. The advocate's responsibilities begin when notice is received in compliance with Code section 229.9A.
This position is appointed by the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors and reports directly to the Community Services Supervisor.
Primary reporting location will be at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse located at 227 S. 6th St., Council Bluffs. Some daytime travel required to support clients within the 8 surrounding Counties served.
Pottawattamie County offers employees a strong benefit plan at a reasonable cost. Our benefit offerings include health, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, and other voluntary benefits.
To highlight some of our amazing benefits:
- We offer a family plan at $225.70 per month cost to the employee, with an additional $30 savings if the employee participates in the wellness program.
- $1,500 family deductible
- 100% employer paid long-term disability coverage
- Premium free dental coverage
- generous paid time off; sick leave and vacation leave
- IPERS retirement; Unlike benefits from other retirement plans, IPERS benefits aren’t tied to the performance of the stock market. With IPERS, you don’t need to make complicated investment decisions for your retirement dreams to become a reality.
We are excited to share that the starting pay for this position will increase to $25.10/hr. beginning July 1, 2024!
For each person the advocate is assigned to, the advocate is required by law to perform the activities listed below. This is an overall list, not one fully descriptive of every detail of what the Mental Health Advocate's responsibilities are.
(1) Review the reports, orders and applications submitted on the client pursuant to Chapter 229 of the Code of Iowa;
(2) Advise the Court at any time if it appears that the services of an attorney are needed to safeguard the client's interests;
(3) Be readily available to receive communications from the client and to communicate with the client directly within 5 days of the client's commitment;
(4) To visit the client within 15 days of that commitment and periodically thereafter;
(5) To communicate with the medical personnel treating the client as necessary and review the client's medical records;
(6) To file quarterly court reports (or more often as necessary or required by the court) stating the actions taken with respect to each individual client and amount of time spent.
(7) May attend the hospitalization hearing of any respondent for whom the advocate has received notice of a hospitalization hearing pursuant to 229.9ARELATED DUTIES:
1. To inform the client within five (5) days of commitment of the name of the advocate and how to communicate with the advocate. It is recommended this occur through a letter of introduction, pamphlet of rights and business card.
- Meet with the individual and provide information in person. Provide written information (commitment process, role of advocate, etc.) and answer any related questions or concerns.
- Meet with the individual in the hospital as it is the most restrictive placement which increases right violation issues.
- The advocate may attend hospitalization hearings pursuant to Code Section 229.9A.
2. To arrange with the Court a system that allows dissemination of documents in a timely manner or visit the appropriate Clerk of Court as needed to pick up new commitment paperwork, and all other reports and orders.
- Utilize EDMS
3. Review all documents for necessary action. The advocate should contact any medical personnel and any appropriate service agencies involved for any needed clarification or questions.
- Conduct periodic contacts with appropriate service agencies at a minimum of 3 months if no contact has been initiated.
4. Individual case files should be kept.
- Include contact notes/narrative for all direct activities:
- Client face to face;
- Client phone;
- Collateral face to face; and
- Collateral phone.
- A complete list of clients on commitment shall be maintained.
- This information shall be used when billing the County/Region.
- At all times documents shall be kept in a manner that conforms to local, state, and federal confidentiality laws and rules including HIPAA.
5. Safeguarding the client's rights and interests as well as informing the client of their responsibilities, including but not limited to the following activities:
- Act as a spokesperson for the client;
- Encourage as appropriate self-advocacy and provide support to empower the individual as needed;
- Negotiate between the client and the treatment team when communication is broken or otherwise requires clarification, or a violation of a client's right(s) occurs or is alleged;
- Act as a liaison between the treatment team and the individual, ensuring that the clients rights are protected;
- Act as a liaison between the treatment team and the Court which ordered the treatment;
- Facilitate understanding of client rights and strengthen relationships among the various persons and agencies responsible for the care of the mentally ill; and
- Review with the client their responsibilities under commitment and consequences of actions or lack thereof.
6. Collaborate with the Court as appropriate, including to:
- Advise the Court when needed to properly safeguard the client's interest and legal rights;
- Provide to the Court written concerns and recommended resolutions to situations; and inform court when commitment should be lifted.
- Assist the Clerk in tracking and locating clients and physician's reports.
7. Attend subsequent hearings.
Ability to communicate with mental health providers and treatment professionals in a constructive, positive manner.
Familiarity with mental health treatment resources within the area of service.
All confidential files and records shall be maintained in accordance with law.
The advocate shall abide by confidentiality requirements contained in the Code of Iowa, including those of Chapter 229.
a. The advocate shall meet the following qualifications:
c. A person employed as an advocate must pass a criminal background, sex offender registry, and child and dependent adult abuse registry checks before hire.
8. Travel to the appropriate facilities or locations for required and periodic client visits.
- Visit hospitals and 24/7 licensed facilities every quarter or at minimum every six months.
- Visit facilities unannounced as appropriate.
- Visit with clients in a safe/secure/confidential location. Be cautious entering anyone's home. If necessary, arrange with the county a room to do face to face visits.
- To reduce intrusiveness and encourage independence, majority of contact with stable outpatient can be done through correspondence or by telephone. Inform the individual to initiate contact with you if there are any problems or concerns.
- When reviewing physician reports, investigate reports of non-compliance with client by phone or face to face contact.
9. Perform administrative duties including, but not limited to, preparing reports and claims, tracking time provided per client, maintaining client files, providing information and referrals, attending meetings, conferences or seminars related to the advocate's duties.
- Attendance at conferences or seminars shall be approved in advance by immediate supervisor.
10. Perform other related advocate services or actions within the scope of Iowa Code Section 229.19 service to clients.
- Assist the Court in its attempts to locate clients (e.g., returned mail, moves, etc.) with immediate needs;
- Provide temporary case coordination services for clients without a case manager or similarly assigned individual (e.g., Region Services Coordinator, Integrated Health Homes, etc.); and
- Make referral to agencies charged with service coordination, treatment/service providers and other social service agencies.
- Other duties as assigned.
Ability to communicate with mental health providers and treatment professionals in a constructive, positive manner.
Familiarity with mental health treatment resources within the area of service.
All confidential files and records shall be maintained in accordance with law.
The advocate shall abide by confidentiality requirements contained in the Code of Iowa, including those of Chapter 229.
a. The advocate shall meet the following qualifications:
- Possess a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours in a human services field (including, but not limited to, psychology, social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, nursing education, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy) and at least one year of experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness; or
- Hold an Iowa license to practice as a registered nurse and have at least three years of experience in delivery of services to persons with mental illness.
c. A person employed as an advocate must pass a criminal background, sex offender registry, and child and dependent adult abuse registry checks before hire.
Job Summary
JOB TYPE
Full Time
SALARY
$33k-42k (estimate)
POST DATE
04/05/2024
EXPIRATION DATE
05/13/2024
WEBSITE
sheriff.pottcounty-ia.gov
HEADQUARTERS
Council Bluffs, IA
SIZE
<25
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