Position Title: Patient Advocate

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Patient Advocacy

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $25.03 - $26.64/hour

Total Compensation:

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Generous paid vacation time and sick leave
• 13 observed Federal and Jewish holidays
• 4 Floating Holidays each year, which employees select from over 60 religious holidays and community days of importance
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness
• 4:00pm close time every Friday (exceptions may apply, including 24/7 programs)

Jewish Family Service of San Diego has a duty to provide and maintain a workplace that safeguards the health of our employees and their families, our guests, our volunteers, and the community from the COVID-19 virus. To help prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, JFS requires that all its employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We make accommodations for eligible medical and religious exemptions, which can be discussed upon hire.

Position Overview

Do you hate injustice? Do you like fighting for the underdog? Would you like to be part of a dynamic and dedicated team of advocates and travel the county representing clients receiving mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment to ensure that their rights are upheld?

Our team provides advocacy services for individuals receiving mental health and SUD services in inpatient and residential settings. We’re looking for an outstanding individual who loves a challenge and gets satisfaction from helping others in need to advocate primarily for patients in inpatient psychiatric units.

Responsibilities:
The advocate will investigate and resolve complaints, concerns, or grievances received from clients about rights violations, coordinate efforts with other agencies as needed, and visit and monitor facilities for compliance with patients’ and residents’ rights laws, regulations and policies. The advocate will represent patients at their Certification Review Hearings. They also ensure that clients, staff, owners, and administrators are informed of the rights of persons with a mental health diagnosis or with substance use disorders. Other duties include conducting outreach activities, regular facility visits, and providing educational trainings for consumers and professionals. Strong presentation, writing, and communication skills are required.

Key Talents: You are proud of your communication skills, both written and oral. You have a strong commitment to teamwork and being a part of a dedicated team of professionals. You demonstrate great compassion for other people and have a deep sense of responsibility and accountability. You also have a well-developed sense of humor and like to make your work fun.

Skills/Abilities That Are a Must-Have

• Successful completion and pass of Criminal History Background Check
• Experience working with clients who have substance use disorders or psychiatric illness
• BA/BS or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of patients’ rights law and/or willingness and ability to learn California State laws and San Diego County Policies and Procedures as they pertain to patients’ rights
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with a wide range of community groups including professionals, facility administrators and clients
• Strong sense of ethics
• Ability and willingness to regularly use office equipment such as computers, fax machines, telephones and cell phones
• Valid driver’s license, Insurance and reliable car to travel to clients
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout San Diego County
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Additional Information

The duties of this position are primarily in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. The successful candidate will be willing to learn and open to performing patient advocacy duties in a variety of settings.

Important Notice:

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please, no phone calls. Please, principals only. Please, local candidates only (relocation is not provided). Please submit a cover letter to be considered for this position.

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community. For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving. At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency. We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is your success. Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together. To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org.

• Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.