Tewksbury Hospital, part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a dynamic *Patient Advocate*who is committed to championing the rights and well-being of patients in a collaborative hospital environment. In this role, you will ensure that patients' human rights are protected, understood, and seamlessly integrated into every aspect of their care. By fostering relationships with both patients and staff, you will play an essential role in enhancing the patient experience, providing education, and advocating for proactive resolutions to concerns. Your efforts will directly contribute to improving the quality of life for patients during their hospital stay. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead initiatives that promote understanding and respect for patients' rights while fostering a culture of compassionate, patient-centered care. Through outreach, training, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, you will make a meaningful impact, ensuring every patient’s voice is heard and valued. This is a rewarding role for an empathetic professional who is passionate about advocacy, quality care, and empowering others. */_Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):_/* · Advocate for patients by educating them about their rights, fostering understanding of the Rights and Responsibilities document, and addressing potential violations of those rights. · Establish an outreach program to identify and assist patients who may not be able to independently request support from the Patient Advocate. · Encourage proactive resolution of patient concerns by collaborating with hospital staff, including nursing administration and unit teams, to address issues before initiating the formal complaint process. · File formal complaints with Hospital Administration on behalf of patients when resolution through other avenues is unsuccessful. · Develop and deliver comprehensive human rights training materials, including patient handbooks and curricula, for both patients and staff through orientations, annual reviews, and individualized sessions. · Participate in treatment team meetings and periodic reviews to represent patient perspectives, while contributing to performance improvement initiatives and hospital committees focused on enhancing care quality. · Lead the Patient Advisory Committee by recruiting members, hosting regular meetings, and organizing a monthly speaker series to educate patients on hospital services and care providers. · Maintain regular communication with key hospital operations groups, including medical staff, senior nursing staff, nurse managers, and social workers, to support advocacy and care improvement. · Publish a newsletter highlighting patient advocacy efforts and quality of care, ensuring its distribution across the hospital community to keep stakeholders informed. · Monitor the patient complaint process, oversee incident investigations, track resolutions, and serve as a backup complaint investigator as assigned by the Director of Quality Management. */_Required Qualifications:_/* · Demonstrated ability to understand, interpret, and apply statutes, rules, regulations, and policies relevant to the role. · Strong judgment skills to make thoughtful and informed decisions. · Proven ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships across diverse teams and departments. · Capacity to build rapport with individuals from varied ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds. · Skilled at encouraging others to act in the best interests of patients. · Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate ideas logically, clearly, and with grammatical precision. · Proficiency in gathering and analyzing information through observation, interviews, and review of records or documents. · Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality in all professional matters. · Commitment to fostering a patient-centered environment through respectful and empathetic engagement. */_DPH Mission and Vision:_/* The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism. *_About Tewksbury Hospital:_* Tewksbury Hospital offers a broad range of services including a physician on site at all times, around-the-clock nursing care, rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, psychology services, social services, nutritional services, and an on-site dialysis clinic. Learn more about our important work: https://www.mass.gov/locations/tewksbury-hospital *_Pre-Hire Process:_* A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. For questions about this requisition, please contact Human Resources at 978-851-7321 x2347. Questions or issues regarding access/login credentials to MassCareers, please contact the Mass HR ESC at 617-979-8500. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances. *Learn more and share a one-pager on DPH and what we do:**DPH at a Glance PDF*|*Doc* *First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.* Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in investigatory, law enforcement or regulatory administration work, or (B) and equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for a maximum of the two years of the required experience.* *Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range. *Comprehensive Benefits* When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza. *An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.* The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. **Job:** **Compliance and Certification* **Organization:** **Department of Public Health* **Title:** *Patient Advocate* **Location:** *Massachusetts-Tewksbury-365 East Street* **Requisition ID:** *250000BP*