Rights Protection Officer

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Human Rights Officer II (Rights Protection Officer) works under the supervision of the Director of Rights Protection (or the state hospital Superintendent if a one-person department). The Rights Protection Officer performs complex (journey-level) rights protection work without any conflict of interest. The Human Rights Officer II maintains a program which ensures the legal and basic human rights of individuals served are promoted and protected. Investigates allegations of rights violations and seeks to find a resolution for all parties involved. Provides guidance to other hospital staff. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions:
1. Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
2. Implements processes to ensure that individual patient rights are observed on all state hospital units and programs.
3. Represents the individuals served in recovery team meetings as needed, and on hospital committees, as requested, which may include the Hospital Executive Committee, Grievance Committee, Ethics Committee, and other committees.
4. Responds to requests and complaints by visiting with individuals on their treatment unit and assists with other hospital rights issues as needed.
5. Conducts observations and interviews with staff and individuals to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) conditions of participation, the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), HIPAA, agency, and state hospital policies and procedures related to the rights of the individuals served. Completes medical record audits using the Quality System Oversight (QSO) instruments, TJC tracer tools, and unit review tools to ensure that rights restrictions are property documented.
6. Provides a mechanism to file complaints and/or grievances concerning treatment and treatment outcomes by thoroughly investigating each allegation or request received and/or refers it to the appropriate agency. Represents the expressed desires of the individuals served and advocates for the resolution of their grievances. Provides results to the patient, other appropriate parties, and as requested, by the HHSC Office of Ombudsman.
7. Tracks data and provides analysis and trends on the nature and extent of complaints and/or grievances. Prepares reports for state hospital leadership and the State Hospital Governing Body.
8. Supports HHSC provider investigators regarding Client Abuse/Neglect cases as requested in carrying out their investigations by providing them with medical record information, policies and procedures, and access to staff involved in the allegation. Works closely with the hospital Superintendent responding to abuse, neglect, and exploitation (ANE) investigation results by assisting the Superintendent in determining what action disciplinary needs to be taken.
9. Supports Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigators when conducting their investigations by providing them with medical record information, policy and procedures, and access to staff involved in the allegation.
10. Serves as liaison with Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) responding to inquiries regarding patient rights.
11. Plans and leads rights group meetings with patients on treatment units.
12. Supports the implementation of the Patient Rights handbook by ensuring that each patient receives a copy of the handbook. Ensures that patient rights information is posted throughout the hospital.
13. Ensures that the rights of the patient receiving services have been thoroughly explained to staff and volunteers through orientation and on-going training.
14. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
1. Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and department/agency policy and procedures
2. Knowledge of TJC, CMS, and HIPAA standards
3. Knowledge of legal and basic human rights
4. Knowledge of mental health disorders
5. Knowledge of statistical analysis
6. Skills in conducting interviews
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
8. Proficient skills in Microsoft Excel and Word
9. Ability to effectively communicate statistical information
10. Ability to make decisions and share recommendations with facility leaders
11. Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff
12. Ability to gather, assemble, analyze, and trend facts/data, and present the findings in a way that is meaningful, effective, and understandable
13. Ability to facilitate meetings
14. Ability to provide guidance to others

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None

Initial Selection Criteria:
1. Experience in human rights, patient advocacy, mental health services or case management work.
2. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, sociology, or related field is preferred; Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
3. Experience working with persons with mental health or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. Vaccines may be provided. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

MOS Code:
No direct military equivalents.

Note: There may be no military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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