MadFreedom Advocates is a grassroots, survivor-led nonprofit working to end discrimination and coercion in Vermont’s mental health system. We’re looking for someone with personal lived experience of mental health challenges, psychiatric hospitalization, or sanist marginalization to advocate with and for people held involuntarily (“in the custody of the Commissioner of Mental Health”) on the psychiatric unit at Rutland Regional Medical Center. No experience necessary. We will train.
Position at a glance:
Title: Rutland Patient Representative (Advocate)
Hours: Part-time, up to 20 hours/week
Pay: $22.50/hour to start; $25/hour after 3 months
Location: Weekly on-site visits to RRMC + some remote work
Benefits: Paid holidays, vacation and sick time; health and dental insurance (20 hrs/week); mileage reimbursement; extensive paid training(Intentional Peer Support, Vermont patient rights, grievance/appeals, and more)
You’ll:
Visit the unit weekly to inform people of their rights and options
Support folks to write grievances/appeals and plan for discharge
Communicate with treatment teams while staying an independent survivor voice
Keep confidential logs and join regular team meetings, supervision, and co-reflection
To apply:
Send a résumé (or equivalent life experience summary) and a short letter (500 words max) on why advocacy matters to you to jobs@madfreedomadvocates.org with the subject line: “Patient Representative – [Your Name]”
People with lived experience of psychiatric diagnosis and survivors of involuntary treatment are strongly encouraged to apply.
