Advocate

Position: Advocate I
** Agency
* * Dept of Health and Human Services
** Division
* * J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center
** Job Classification Title
** Advocate I (S)
** Position Number
**** Grade
* * NC10

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.
** Description of Work
** The Advocate provides technical and administrative assistance to DSOHF staff, other agencies and stakeholders regarding resident rights. The Advocate protects the rights of those served at state-operated healthcare facilities through investigations into abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other rights violations, incident reviews, and providing education, training, and consultation.
The position interprets the Human Rights Rules and Regulations, facility policy, DSOHF policy, Advocacy procedures, and regulatory requirements during everyday work. The Advocate ensures that practices are consistent with specified standards and guidance. The Advocate provides training for residents, families, facility staff, and Human Rights Committee members.
In addition, the Advocate serves on committees, work groups, and treatment teams at a facility level and participates in work groups at a departmental level across the state to develop/revise Advocacy procedures and corresponding training. For incidents that don’t rise to the level of an investigation, the position serves as an independent and objective evaluator to determine if measures have been taken to minimize the risk to residents.

The Advocate works closely with residents, guardians, and others on the residents’ behalf to provide education on rights issues, routine facility procedures, the complaint resolution process, and Advocacy services. In addition, the Advocate offers technical assistance to staff through monitoring, consulting, training, and collaboration to help ensure that residents are represented at all levels of the facility and that their rights are honored.

The position functions as a liaison to the Human Rights Committee, Disability Rights NC (DRNC), Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR), Department of Social Services (DSS), and, as needed, local Police and Sheriff Departments.
** Knowledge

Skills and Abilities

/Management Preferences
**** Salary Range: $41,655.00 - $72,897.00
**** Recruitment Range: $41,655.00 - $72,897.00
*** Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.
** The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs* )/
* Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:
** Working knowledge of the investigative process which may include but is not limited to interviewing skills, evidence gathering, analyzing findings, reaching fact-based determinations, and/or documenting such in a professional, detailed report.
* Preference will be given to individuals with knowledge of resident rights and applicable laws and regulations (Federal & State) related to the disability group served.
* This position must have excellent oral and written communication skills and should be able to plan and coordinate daily work effectively, efficiently, and independently.
* Experience collaborating with individuals from various clinical disciplines and participating as a member of the treatment team.
* Ability to research applicable laws, regulations, policies and apply the knowledge to daily work.
** We Will Be Recruiting For Multiple Positions With This Post. Your Application Will Be Considered For All Noted Open Positions.
**** Position  – DSOHF Advocacy/JIRDC
**** Position  – DSOHF Advocacy/JIRDC
**** Shift

Hours:

1st shift (8:00am-5:00pm), Monday – Friday, and provide after-hours, holiday on-call coverage.**##
** About J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center:
** The…