Human Rights Officer I

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

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 teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The primary responsibility of the Human Rights Officer (HRO) is to maintain a facility program to ensure the legal and basic human rights of persons served are promoted and protected.  Other roles include serving as the SH’s Liaison of the facility with Disability Rights Texas and as the coordinator of the facility Patient Advocacy Program.  The HRO must have a working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and departmental and agency policy and procedures.  The HRO is responsible for the investigation and resolution of rights-related complaints/issues presented by persons served and other interested parties.  Other responsibilities will include evaluation of how facilities investigate, review and report unusual incidents and injuries as well as quality assurance review of facility practices to ensure the protection and promotion of individual rights.  The HRO will provide input to the facility Superintendent and make recommendations for systemic improvements to decrease incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation.  The HRO will provide training for staff, Patient Advocacy Committee (PAC) members and persons served as requested or required.  They will also review trend analyses on all patient protections and specifically on data relating to imposed restrictions of individual rights and ensure that trend analyses of imposed rights restrictions are reviewed by PAC with follow-up provided as needed.  The HRO will assure PAC review of all rights restrictions.  The HRO works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment and performs complex administrative duties, to include but not limited to, the development of facility policy and procedures and may serve on various facility committees.

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 (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required 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.

Coordinates and chairs the PAC meetings to ensure due process for recommended rights restriction/modifications.

Utilizes the facility’s electronic medical record to review documentation submitted to the HRC. Serves as facility liaison with Disability Rights Texas (DRT).

Serves as the coordinator of the facility Patient Advocacy program and ensures that the program is effective and is maintained through regularly scheduled meetings/activities.

Participates in Hospital investigations and resolution of rights-related complaints/issues.

Consults with Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) members regarding rights related center processes, polices, and education. Provides training for staff, and persons served as requested or required.

Interacts with patients, legal guardians, and/or family members.

Provides monitoring and promotes staff and patient awareness of potential rights violations during family visitation, work sites, or day program areas.

Ensures that each restriction of an individual's rights adheres to due process and occurs solely based upon the individual's needs and capabilities.

HRO may be requested to attend Clinical Case Review (CCR)

Reviews departmental data and works with the Interdisciplinary Team to provide follow-up to remove or reduce restrictions as needed.

Educates, encourages and supports all individuals to exercise their rights including participation in self-advocacy, citizenship, voting and community political activities.

Performs other duties as assigned which may include, participation in incident management team meetings, assistance with guardianship services, and serving on various facility committees (ex: Ethics Committee).

The Human Rights Officer is expected to participate in mandatory training per HHS policies HHS and procedures, HIPAA policies, and federal rules and regulations, and Medicare/Medicaid and Joint Commission regulations, and the requirements in the in order to provide quality services to individuals served.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program area with the ability to apply them to agency/facility policies and procedures and to convey them to others.

Knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid and Joint Commission Regulations or local, state and federal laws related to the program area.

Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures, to prepare concise reports, to plan and facilitate meetings and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Working knowledge of legal and basic human rights and due process.

Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Demonstrated computer skills to include Word, Excel and Outlook.

Experience in working with people who have serious mental illness and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Ability to develop and provide training to staff, volunteers and persons served.

Ability to facilitate meetings.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

At least two years’ experience working in human rights, advocacy or human services, and/or experience working with individuals with serious mental illness and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in psychology, sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, or a related human services field.

Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

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, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). 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 considered to be 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. 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.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS 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.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form