In Human Rights Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Director of Patient Relations
Job no: 5107228
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Staunton, Virginia
Categories: Administrative Services, Health and Human Services
Title: Director of Patient Relations
State Role Title: Health Care Compliance Spec II
Hiring Range: starting at starting at $76,000 (commensurate based on experience))
Pay Band: 5
Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop
Location: Western State Hospital
Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Location: Western State Hospital
103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.
Who We Are
Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation "Learning" programs.
WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.
Position Overview:
Western State Hospital is seeking a Director of Patient Relations to be responsible for the general administration activities in the DBHDS Human Rights program and operation of the facility Patient Complaint process.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provides day to day supervision of staff in a constructive manner in order to improve performance of each individual
- Ensures that the requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met and evaluations are completed by established deadlines with proper documentation
- Ensures that the requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met and evaluations are completed by established deadlines with proper documentation
- Addresses and documents any performance, behavior, and attendance issues as they occur
- Plan, direct, organize, and coordinate all Patient Relations departmental activities
- Act as as the facility Investigation Director and conducts and oversees patient abuse, neglect, and complaint investigations and complaints within the time frames specified by hospital policy
- Manage the Patient Complaint Liaison and ensures that investigations are conducted within the time frames outlined in hospital policy and makes reports to Hospital Director on status of complaints, trends and corrective actions taken to resolve patient issues
- Perform and supervise administrative activities including compliance with certification and accreditation requirements including Joint Commission and CMS. Collects, interprets, and disseminates data
- Ensure Patient Safety/Investigation program is in compliance/maintain certification with rules and surveys of Joint Commission as designed in coordination with the Hospital Director and reports compliance to the Hospital Director
- Ensure that the Patient Complaint Program is in
Compliance with Office of Human Rights rules and regulations as designed in coordination with the Hospital Director
Benefits Include:
- health, vision, and dental insurance
- life insurance
- paid time off
- sick time
- family/personal time
- retirement with cash match
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from a college or university with course work in a healthcare specialty or equivalent experience
- Previous experience in investigations in non-medical, clinical services area, or clinical specialty, preferably in a public hospital setting.
- Experience with Joint Commission/CMS/Human Rights standards
- Experience with investigation and writing reports
Additional Considerations
- Experience utilizing the CHRIS patient complaint system or other electronic abuse/neglect system
- Bilingual
- Veteran or veteran spouse
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia's Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you clearly and specifically detail all relevant work experience; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.
Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.
Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.
Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (540) 332-8300 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.
Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.
Contact Information
Name: Samantha Leep
Phone: 540-332-8306
Email: samantha.leep@dbhds.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 01 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 07 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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