Baker Act Coordinator/Patient Advocate

Acadia Healthcare • Wesley Chapel, FL

1d

About The Position

North Tampa Behavioral Health is seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented professional to serve as our Baker Act Coordinator / Patient Advocate. This role ensures full compliance with Florida’s Baker Act requirements while actively safeguarding patient rights and supporting the grievance process. This is a highly visible, patient-facing role that partners with clinical teams, leadership, and legal entities to protect patient safety, maintain regulatory compliance, and promote a professional and respectful care environment.
Position Summary
The Baker Act Coordinator / Patient Advocate oversees all legal and operational aspects of the Baker Act process, ensures timely court documentation and hearings, conducts record reviews for compliance, and serves as the primary facilitator for patient and family complaints and grievances. This position balances regulatory oversight with compassionate advocacy.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Demonstrated knowledge of Florida Baker Act regulations is required
• Minimum three years of experience as a Baker Act Coordinator or equivalent preferred
• CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by the facility).

Nice To Haves

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a clinical field preferred
• Behavioral health experience preferred
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Professional and composed in high-stress situations
• Strong attention to detail and able to manage legal deadlines
• Comfortable in patient-facing interactions, including handling difficult conversations
• Clear communicator with sound judgment
• Able to balance compliance oversight with compassionate advocacy

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor all aspects of the hospital’s Baker Act program
• Ensure strict adherence to legal timelines and documentation requirements
• Review admissions documents, charts, and progress notes for compliance
• Maintain communication with courts, State Attorney, Public Defender, and other legal parties
• Ensure timely submission of required court documents and attend hearings as necessary
• Partner with Intake, Nursing, and Clinical teams on compliance reviews
• Provide ongoing education to staff regarding Baker Act requirements and documentation standards
• Facilitate the patient and family grievance process from intake through resolution
• Maintain accurate complaint and grievance logs
• Collaborate with department leaders and Risk to investigate and resolve concerns
• Communicate outcomes clearly and professionally to patients and families
• Identify process gaps that may impact patient rights or safety
• Support patient safety and advocacy education efforts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED