Patient Rights Advocate, Patient Advocacy

Position Title: Patient Rights Advocate

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Patient Advocacy Program

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

Work Setting: Onsite

Reports To: Patient Advocacy Supervisor

Pay Range: $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:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave


• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays


• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

Position Overview: 

Do you hate injustice?  Do you like fighting for the underdog?  Would you like to be a part of a dynamic and dedicated team of advocates who travel the county representing behavioral health clients and ensuring that their rights are upheld? 

We’re looking for an outstanding individual who loves challenge and gets satisfaction from helping others in need.   

Our highly regarded advocates investigate and resolve complaints, concerns, or grievances received from behavioral health clients about rights violations, coordinate efforts with other agencies as needed, and visit and monitor facilities for compliance with clients’ rights laws, regulations and policies. They also ensure that clients, staff, owners, and administrators are informed of the rights of persons receiving behavioral health services.

The person hired for this position will provide advocacy services to residents with mental illness residing in inpatient and licensed residential facilities, conduct continuing education trainings for residents, staff and other professionals. They also represent clients at Certification Review Hearings for involuntary holds in psychiatric hospitals.

Key Talents:   You are proud of your communication skills, both written and oral.  You demonstrate great compassion for your fellow man 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. 

Responsibilities:

• Experience working with clients diagnosed with a serious mental illness


• 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 patient’s rights and mental illness


• Strong oral and written communication skills


• Ability to work with a wide range of community groups including professionals, facility administrators, clients with mental illness as well as advocacy groups such as NAMI


• Strong sense of ethics


• Ability and willingness to regularly use office equipment such as computers, fax machines, telephones and cell phones


• Car required


• Ability and willingness to travel throughout San Diego County


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team


• Flexible and able to handle emotionally intense situations

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• Successful completion and pass of Criminal History Background Check


• Experience working with clients receiving behavioral health services


• Knowledge of clients’ rights law and/or willingness and ability to learn California State laws and San Diego County Policies and Procedures as they pertain to clients’ rights


• Strong oral and written communication skills


• Ability to work with a wide range of community groups including professionals, facility administrators, clients as well as advocacy groups such as NAMI, CCHEA, etc.


• Strong sense of ethics


• Ability and willingness to regularly use office equipment such as computers, fax machines, telephones and cell phones


• Car required


• Ability and willingness to travel throughout San Diego County


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team


• Flexible and able to handle emotionally intense situations


• The duties of this position are primarily in acute care psychiatric facilities. There will also be cross training in other aspects of patient advocacy. 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.