Recipient Rights Officer

Under the direction of the CEO, COO, CNO, or Recipient Rights Director, the Recipient Rights Officer will assure that MyMichigan Medical Centers Mental Health Units operate 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. Receive reports and investigate apparent or suspected violations of rights. 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. Endeavor to safeguard the rights guaranteed by the Mental Health Code through activities of prevention, monitoring and education of the Mental Health Unit staff. Serve as consultant to the executive director or hospital director and to staff of the community mental health services program or licensed hospital in matters related to recipient rights. This position serves as the Alternate for the full-time Discharge Coordinator/RRO. The RRO function reports directly to the President of MyMichigan Medical Center Sault.

(65%)* Complaint Resolution: Receives and acknowledges all complaints of apparent or suspected violations of rights.

(20%)* Monitoring: Reviews incident reports regarding recipients. Whenever such reports indicate a potential violation of rights has occurred, assure that an intervention or investigation is initiated.

(10%)* Prevention: Prepares and/or review Mental Health Unit policies, procedures, and standards relating to the rights of recipients.

(5%)* Education Oversees the development, organization, and implementation of training on recipient rights for employees, contract employees, volunteers or other agents of the Mental Health Unit, within 30 days of hire. When possible, develop training for consumers and family members. Ensure training of the rights advisory and appeals committee members.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works 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 MyMichigan Medical Centers Mental Health Units.
• Works with the other Recipient Rights Officers to ensure full coverage of all requirements.
• Assures that all contracts for mental health services entered into by the MyMichigan Medical Centers Mental Health Units contains 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.
• Alerts the Director to Mental Health Unit practices that may potentially violate rights.
• Reviews the circumstances surrounding the death of, or serious injury to a recipient. If there is an apparent or suspected violation of rights conducts an investigation.
• Reviews reports from accrediting bodies where information pertinent to rights protection is contained.
• Conducts announced and unannounced visits to the mental health unit.
• Develop and conduct training as required in response to complaint trends.
• Investigates, or if appropriate, intervenes to resolve allegations of rights violations as specified by the Mental Health Code.
• Determine responsibility for rights violations and recommend actions necessary to remediate
  violations in a timely manner and prevent recurrences.
• If necessary, assists the complainant or others with standing to appeal, in the appeal process.
  Assures adherence to proper due process procedures required for appeals made to the 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.
• Acts as staff Liaison to the Recipient Rights Advisory Committee.
• Assists the Recipient Rights Advisory Committee in reviewing the funding of the Recipient Rights Office.
• Prepares an annual report of the rights activity for review by the Advisory Committee and subsequent submission to the MyMichigan Medical Centers Board and the Department of Community Health.
• Prepares a semiannual report of rights activity for review by the Advisory Committee and submission to the Department of Community Health.
• Facilitates education for hospital staff, medical staff, contract staff, and hospital board on the Recipient Rights Program and Mental Health Code compliance.
• Maintains current understanding of Joint Commission standards and facilitates and participates in Joint Commission surveys.
• Participates in Medical Center and MyMichigan Health committees and teams.
• Continuous professional development as demonstrated by self-directed learning and participation in continuing education.
• All other duties as assigned.

*Credential: FINGERPRIN: Fingerprinting
Equivalent Experience: 

*Credential: RECIPIENT: Recipient Rights
Equivalent Experience: Recipient Rights training required within 90 days of hire or transfer

*Credential: ICHAT: iChat(annually on Hire Date)
Equivalent Experience: 

*Credential: TEAM ADVANCED: Techniques for Effective Aggression Mgt
Equivalent Experience: 

Education: High School Diploma

Comments:or GED

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING AND SKILLS:

• Recipient Rights Training (Basic Training program) provided by the Michigan Department of Community Health Rights Office required within 90 days of hire or transfer to position.
• Educated and trained in recipient rights policies and procedures, receiving training each year in recipient rights protection.
• Basic I and II as provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) within 90 days of hire. All Rights staff are encouraged to attend Building Blocks and Developing Effective Training (DET) courses.
• All staff employed to provide recipient rights services must complete a minimum of 8 hours of training annually. Training topics must be relevant to directly providing rights protection, in topics that assist in the effective operation of the rights office, or in areas that enhance the rights staffs knowledge of the delivery of behavioral health services.
• One-year professional experience in investigation and advocacy within a private or public human services (or comparable experience) preferred.
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Code and the ability to interpret and apply statutes, rules, policies and procedures preferred.
• Leadership skills needed to effectively lead a team. Knowledge of current regulatory and accreditation standards in health care.
• Written and verbal communication skills necessary to interact successfully with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization in order to share ideas, concepts and actions in a clear and understandable manner.
• MyMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death.
• Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.
• Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description.
• Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).
• Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.
• Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.
• Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.
• Physical Demand Level: Sedentary. Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 0-10 lbs.

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