Mental Health Advocate
Mental Health Advocate
Salary: $48,000-$53,000/year (based on experience) + benefits.
Description
Mental health advocate is to represent the interests of clients involuntarily hospitalized by the Court. The advocate is to act as the liaison for all persons in their assigned county involved in involuntary hospitalization proceedings and their follow-up treatment. The advocate's responsibilities begin when notices is received in compliance with Code section 229.9A. The advocate shall be supervised by a Coordinator of Disability Services with the Region as designated by the Rolling Hills Community Services Region CEO.
Duties
For each person the advocate is assigned to, the advocate is required by law to perform the activities listed below. This is a general list, not one full descriptive of every detail of what the Mental Health advocate's responsibilities are:
- Review the reports, orders and applications submitted on the client pursuant to Chapter 229 of the Code of Iowa;
- Advise the Court at any time if it appears that the services of an attorney are needed to safeguard the client's interests;
- Be available to receive communications from the client and to communicate with the client within 5 days of the client's commitment;
- To visit the client within 15 days of the commitment and periodically thereafter. Periodically shall be defined as quarterly face to face visits, however if more frequent face to face visits are necessary, it will be subject to the approval of the immediate supervisor;
- To communicate with the medical personnel treating the client as necessary and review the client's medical records;
- To file with the court reports as the advocate feels necessary or as required by the court.
- May attend the hospitalization hearing of any respondent for whom the advocate has received notice of a hospitalization hearing pursuant to 229.9A
Required Qualifications
The advocate shall meet the following qualifications:
- Possess a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours in a human services field (including, but not limited to, psychology, social work, mental health Counseling, marriage and family therapy, nursing, education, occupational therapy and recreational therapy) and at least one year of experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness
- Hold an Iowa license to practice as a registered nurse and have at least three years of experience in delivery of services to persons with mental illness
- A person employed as an advocate must pass criminal background, sex offender registry and child and dependent adult abuse registry checks before hire.
Supplemental Information
ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION OTHERWISE THE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE FORWARDED.
A completed County application and resume are required.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:
4:30 p.m., Monday, April 15th, 2019
Woodbury County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the Employer.