Applications will be reviewed in the order in which it was received.Riverside University Health System (RUHS) is recruiting for a Patients’ Rights Advocate, located in Indio, to support the Patients Rights Unit. The Patients’ Rights Advocate serves as a key support to individuals receiving Behavioral Health services by meeting with patients directly, addressing their concerns, and ensuring they understand and receive guidance on their rights throughout their care.
The Patients’ Rights Advocate is responsible for protecting and promoting the rights of individuals receiving Behavioral Health services. This role includes meeting with patients in person, listening to their concerns, and helping resolve complaints in a fair and timely way. Additionally, the Patients' Rights Advocate will make sure patients are informed of their rights and work closely with facility staff to ensure those rights are understood and upheld.
Another key responsibility is representing patients’ expressed wishes during Certification Review Hearings and Riese Hearings. The Patients’ Rights Advocate will review case information, communicate clearly on behalf of patients, and ensure that legal standards and patient protections are followed. They also monitor Behavioral Health facilities to ensure policies and procedures are compliant with regulations, and they provide training and guidance to staff on patient rights.
Competitive candidates should have experience in Behavioral Health or a related field, along with basic knowledge of the LPS Act and involuntary HOLD procedures. Strong communication and customer service skills are essential, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook. The role requires face-to-face interviews in all designated LPA facilities, strong documentation skills, and the ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism and compassion.Experience with EPIC or ELMR is preferred but not required.
Meet the Team!
Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45,000 individuals annually.
We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian’s Office, address the diverse needs of our community.
At RUHS Behavioral Health, you’ll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.
If you’re passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you!
For more information, please visitwww.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health
• Ensures that incoming patients and residents are notified of their rights; provides information to consumers concerning patients' rights through direct training, sessions, patients' rights handbooks and pamphlets, and posting the list of patients' rights in all mental health facilities.
• Receives, investigates, and resolves patient complaints concerning the violation or abuse of rights; advocates on behalf of patients unable to register a complaint; represents consumers during "probable cause hearing" procedures; obtains, compiles, and submits to the State Patients' Rights Office, statistical data regarding the denial of rights.
• Assists consumers with obtaining public benefits; Acts as a consultant to mental health professionals concerning patients' rights; trains staff in mental health facilities regarding patients' rights laws, regulations, and policies; assists mental health facility administrators with patients' rights policy development; provides training and consultation to mental health constituency groups; attends mandated Patients' Rights training conferences.
• Monitors mental health facilities, services, and programs for compliance with patients' rights statutes and regulations.Experience: One year of experience providing consumer directed services in a mental health agency/organization which must have included at least one of the following: Representation at administrative due process hearings for adults and/or adolescents; interviewing and counseling
AND
Providing information and appropriate referrals to service recipients; investigation and assessment of complaints and screening for legal problems.
Knowledge of: California civil commitment laws, regulations; mental health programs and services available to the community and their functions; principles of interviewing; patients' rights in institutional and community facilities; service rights of persons receiving mental health services.
Ability to: Learn the rights of patients in mental health institutional and community facilities; learn advocacy ethics and principles; learn civil commitment statutes and procedures; investigate and assess complaints and screen for legal problems; represent consumers in "probable cause hearing" procedures; prepare and deliver group presentations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with mental health consumers, treatment staff, and community organizations; communicate effectively in oral and written form.Other RequirementsLicense/Certificate:Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required.
County of Riverside Human Resources Contact:
For more information regarding this position, please contact the recruiter, Jammie Smith, at jasmith@rivco.org or (951) 955-6965.Please allow one-to-two business days for a response to general inquiries.
