Administrative Assistant​/Recipient Rights Officer

Location: East Lansing, MI

Summary: Under the direction of the Hospital Director, the Rights Officer will assure the agency operates a Recipient Rights System that is in compliance with the Michigan Mental Health Code (P.A. 258 of 1974, as amended), particularly Chapters 7 and 7a:
1) Receive reports of, and investigate apparent or suspected violations of rights;
2) Act to assist recipients of mental health services in obtaining resolution of complaints, and act on behalf of recipients to obtain remedies for apparent violations;
3) Otherwise endeavor to safeguard the rights guaranteed by the Mental Health Code through activities of prevention, monitoring and education of the agency and its staff.

• Prepare and/or review agency policies, procedures, and standards relating to the rights of recipients.
• Work cooperatively with outside agencies such as Michigan Protection and Advocacy, state departments and local law enforcement agencies, and other advocacy or regulatory groups to ensure protection of rights of recipients being served by the agency.
• Assure that all contracts for mental health services entered into by the agency contain language which protects and promotes the rights of mental health service recipients, by mandating training of contract staff and adherence to the rights protection system.
• Alert the Director to agency practices that may potentially violate rights.

• Review incident reports regarding recipients. Whenever such reports indicate a potential violation of rights has occurred, assure that an intervention or investigation is initiated.
• Review the circumstances surrounding the death of, or serious injury to a recipient. If there is an apparent or suspected violation of rights conduct an investigation.
• Review Reports from accrediting bodies where information pertinent to rights protection is contained.
• Conduct announced and unannounced visits to all service sites, minimally once a year. Document deficiencies and act to monitor remedial action to resolve deficiencies.

• Oversees the development, organization, and implementation of training on recipient rights for employees, contract employees, volunteers or other agents of the agency, within 30 days of hire. When possible, develop training for consumers and family members. Ensure training of the rights advisory and appeals committee members.
• Develop and conduct training as required by contract or in response to complaint trends.
• Receive and acknowledge all complaints of apparent or suspected violations of rights.
• Investigate, or if appropriate, intervene to resolve allegations of rights violations as specified by the Mental Health Code and contractual requirements. Determine responsibility for rights violations and recommend actions necessary to remediate violations in a timely manner and prevent recurrences.
• If necessary, assist the complainant or others with standing to appeal, in the appeal process.
• Assure adherence to proper due process procedures required for appeals made to the agency appeals committee.
• If necessary, assist the appellant in filing an appeal to the Department of Community Heath Step 2 Appeal when appeals have been exhausted at the local level.

• Act as staff liaison to the recipient rights advisory committee.
• Assist the recipient rights advisory committee in reviewing the funding of the recipient rights office.
• Prepare an annual report of rights activity for review by the Advisory Committee and subsequent submission by the Agency Director to the Department of Community Health and the Board.
• Prepare a semiannual report of rights activity for review by the Advisory Committee and submission to MDHHS.
• Maintain knowledge of current practices in rights protection through participation in training annually (minimum of 36 rights credit hours every 3 years, as identified in the MDHHS-ORR Training Technical Requirement).

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required. BA degree in a human services field, management, public administration, social science, or a law degree is preferred.

Experience: Professional experience indicating knowledge of challenges faced by patients and family during acute psychiatric stays is preferred. A minimum of one year’s professional experience in investigation and advocacy within a private or public human services agency (or comparable experience) preferred. Working knowledge of the Mental Health Code and the ability to interpret and apply statutes, rules, policies and procedures also preferred.

Other: Seeks guidance and remains knowledgeable of, and complies with, all applicable federal and state laws as well as regulations and hospital policies that apply to assigned duties. Complies with hospital expectations regarding ethical behavior and standards of conduct. Complies with federal and hospital requirements in the areas of protected health information and patient privacy.

The Administrative Assistant facilitates the…