Client Advocate II / Office of General Counsel / Patient Advocacy Program

With our Agency's mission to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses, we provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina. 
             
This position is located at the Department of Mental Health, G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital Campus, 220 Faison Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.

As the Client Advocate, you will implement the SCDMH Inpatient Services system mechanism for review of Patient rights/advocacy issues, complaint resolutions and patient satisfaction measurement.

Responsibilities includes but are not limited to:

• Responds to reports of patient rights/advocacy issues and complaints and implements applicable processes (investigation, remediation, prevention.
• Initiates and maintains records pertaining to responses to reports of rights/advocacy issues and complaints.
• Performs site visits at required intervals to monitor compliance with standards and/or regulations pertaining to rights/advocacy issues.
• Participates in the analysis of data pertaining to advocacy activities, complaint resolutions and patient satisfaction. Prepares and forwards required reports.
• Provides training on patient rights, complaint resolution and patient satisfaction to staff of all levels. Participates, as needed, in policy/procedure development and review at the system and department level.
• Serves as liaison with SCDMH Patient Advocacy Office and outside entities (I.e. Disability Rights of SC, the Office of Ombudsman, etc.).
• Provides current advocacy information to staff and patients and ensures current patient rights information (required advocacy posters, pamphlets, and other educational materials) are up to date, posted and available at all times for Inpatient.

A bachelor's degree and professional experience in human services or social services programs.

A bachelor's degree and two (2) years of experience in the agency or an associate's degree and four (4) years of experience.

Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.    

The selected candidate must be able to move between hospital buildings in all types of weather; hear and orally communicates on the phone and in person and in person with all levels of personnel; communicates effectively in high stress and emotionally charged situations; see and read medical records and other pertinent documents; use mutual skills to operate PC and other office equipment. Will require travel among sites of care.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Agency. We provide affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex – including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.
 
South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
 
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. Please account for any and all gaps of employment in your application. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of application completion nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
 
The South Carolina Department of Mental Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave (Six Weeks for mother per year/Two Weeks for partner per year)
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs