Job Description

PAY RATE: $53.00/hr

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB:

Dauphin County Prison is currently accepting applications for the part-time position of Medical Advocate. This position is responsible to perform specialized, strategic, high-level medical advocacy to address the complex medical needs of the residents of Dauphin County Prison and assist the Warden and the Deputy Warden of Operations in maintaining effective collaboration with the medical department. This position will serve as health care / mental health advocate for residents entrusted to the department’s care. This involves formulating, reviewing, and updating policies and programming relevant to health care services, including mental health care services. The Medical Advocate will communicate directly with residents and their family members or support system regarding available services and provide program assistance and technical support for complex care needs for residents with serious medical diagnoses and/or mental illness and those identified as being medically and psychologically compromised. This position will maintain partnerships with county staff and outside agencies to find placement and treatment options for residents who have been identified as complex mental health cases and who are nearing their release date. Dauphin County Prison desires to ensure proper care is continued during and after incarceration to drastically reduce the chances of reincarceration due to lapses in access to mental health services and resources.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

1. Offers support and guidance to residents suffering medical and/or mental health diagnosis’ by helping to analyze and interpret medical information in a way that is clear and understandable.
2. Interviews residents to identify any issues or gaps in care prior to and during incarceration.
3. Acts as a liaison between the Medical Department and Administration Office and develops a collaborative relationship with other internal and external County departments and agencies.
4. Works with the Warden, Deputy Warden of Operations and other leadership to formulate, review, and update policies and programming relevant to health care services including mental health services.
5. Participates in health care services audits, investigates complaints, and maintains records
6. Partners with public health officials to assist with obtaining critical medical services for residents nearing the end of their incarceration
7. Gathers treatment records to assist with assessment, treatment, and service planning.
8. Interviews and identifies residents that may require new or continued mental health services.
9. Maintains an accurate tracking system of care strategies, evolutions, and outcomes.
10. Collaborates regularly with the Medical Department including mental health providers and outside healthcare providers and agencies for referrals, etc., to address ongoing treatment needs.
11. Coordinates wellness checks when deemed necessary and follows up with Administration, Medical, and the resident and/or the resident’s family when appropriate.
12. Reviews service and treatment plans and provides alternative recommendations when necessary.
13. Prepares summaries, special reports and memos as necessary.
14. Maintains current knowledge base of best practices and relevant developments in medical and mental health treatments and strategies.

OTHER DUTIES OF JOB:

1. Attends meetings and/or training sessions as required.
2. Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the Warden, Deputy Warden of Operations and/or designee.
3. May travel occasionally to other County departments or outside agencies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

1. Receives moderate supervision from the Deputy Warden of Operations.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

1. In coordination with the Deputy Warden of Operations, the Medical Advocate may oversee any medical personnel insomuch as they have duties related to health care and/or mental health services or treatment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Works in limited workspace but with adequate lighting, ventilation and fluctuating temperatures.
2. Normal exposure to noise, disruptions and stress.
3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.
4. Potential exposure to blood borne pathogens and/or communicable diseases.
5. Works in conditions of potential outbursts or aggressive behavior of clients.
6. Works a per diam schedule with on-call hours as needed.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITIONS:

1. Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.
2. Must be able to sit, stand for long periods, with intermittent walking, driving and occasional climbing stairs, twisting stooping, grasping or reaching to carry out job duties.
3. Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hand; feet/legs; torso as necessary to carry out job duties.
4. Light work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with maximum weight of twenty pounds.
5. Must demonstrate emotional stability.
6. Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.
7. Must be able to move frequently throughout the workday.
8. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.
9. Must be able to work with clients who carry or may carry active hepatitis, HIV or other infectious diseases.

QUALIFICATIONS

A.EDUCATION/TRAINING:

1. Bachelor's degree preferred in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Social Work or a related field with experience in mental health. Formal education may be substituted by significant work experience in the field of social work and/or other related experience for a period not less than 2 years.
2. B.WORK EXPERIENCE:
3. 1. 2 to 3 years’ experience in the field of nursing, social work, counseling and/or providing therapeutic services to individuals in need of mental health services.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Must maintain sufficient skills in conducting clinical-setting interviews to determine appropriate referral services or options.
2. Must be able to review and interpret medical charts, hospital discharge paperwork and other medical documentation and identify potential red flags.
3. Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
4. Must demonstrate knowledge of community-based adult mental health services - administration, policy and practice.
5. Must be able to collaborate with multiple departments and agencies, including the medical department staff, health care providers, mental health providers, treatment department staff, security staff, community resources and prison administration.
6. Must be able to use various Windows based computer applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

Dauphin County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive workplace free of discrimination and harassment. Dauphin County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.