Community Outreach Manager – Area Agency on Aging Region 11 - DHS

Mesa County Department of Human Services is a forward thinking agency that has over 300 employees serving the needs of more tha 40,000 residents. From the Colorado National Monument to the thriving agricultural lands and city centers, Mesa County contains a diverse, natural landscape that provides many outdoor activities and adventures. As individuals and an organization, we value and respect humanity, balance, honesty, inclusion and teamwork. We provide a level of flexibility for staff to be able to accommodate their lives outside of the office environment. We value family and the relationships that make our lives rewarding.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado (AAANWCO) is responsible for planning, coordinating, and administrating local, state and federally funded programs and services for older adult residents in the four-county planning and service area of Garfield, Mesa, Moffat, and Rio Blanco counties. The agency subcontracts with local providers for delivery of services.
This position is responsible for maintaining the local long-term care ombudsman program which provides oversight for all paid and volunteer ombudsman, and ensures all Federal and State Statutes, Regulations, Policies, and Procedures, are upheld. This position also acts as a certified ombudsman and advocates for residents in assisted living, skilled nursing facilities and swing beds facilities. Additionally, this position will provide administrative and technical support to the AAANWCO. Administrative activities include federal and state program data input and reporting; and assisting older adults and caregivers with information & referral.

This position reports directly to the Director of AAANWCO.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

Ombudsman Responsibilities

• Act in accordance with the Roles and Responsibilities of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Policy
• Provide oversight of the local Ombudsman Program
• At minimum meet monthly (virtual or face-to-face) with local Ombudsman to review and provide guidance
• Ensure Ombudsmen are fully trained
• May recruit volunteers and arrange internships
• Recommend individuals for certification as Ombudsman and participate in any Decertification of an Ombudsman
• Identify possible systemic issues and confer with the State Ombudsman
• Consult with the State Ombudsman for interpretation of State, Federal, and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Regulations, Rules, and Policies, as necessary for clarification.
• Make routine visits to licensed assisted livings, skilled nursing facilities, and swing bed facilities
• Respond to complaints by conducting a complaint visit within required timeframes
• Maintain current electronic records of contact with residents and visits to facilities by maintaining records in accordance with guidelines of the AAANWCO Ombudsman program and the Colorado State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
• Participate in CDPHE Licensing Surveys of long-term care facilities
• Attend Resident and Family Council meetings
• Educate family members, long-term care facility staff, and community groups regarding facilities, resident’s rights, and the role of the Ombudsman Program

AAANWCO

• Perform a variety of duties related to the administration of Area Agency on Aging, subcontracted services, Regional Advisory Committee, and Four Year Plan
• Review service data input and reporting and compiles program statistics for community service contracts
• Assist with preparing for regional council meetings, sub-committees, and other governance meetings
• Assist with preparing for regional and local events, such as the Senior Law Day, Caregiver Conferences, and other programming
• Respond to inquiries related to information and referral
• Understand and effectively use IT systems and the consumer database, as well as the Contract Reimbursement Software and other reporting programs
• Coordinates, schedules, and attends various meetings and makes presentations to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and development and to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Works with the State and the Region’s network of community organizations for the provision of aging and disability resource services in the region
• Participate in program planning and program work
• Attend community, regional, or state meetings, as directed and or required by law
• Compiles, edits, and produces annual report
• Assist with updating agency website and social media with current relevant information
• Other duties as determined by the AAANWCO Director

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:
Preferred Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Nursing, Psychology, Long Term Care, Public or Business Administration, Gerontology, Education, Public Health, or Law and four (4) years of related experience with aging, long-term care, or related field.
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.

Special Requirements:
Candidates must practice diplomacy and empathy; ability to take direction and instruction from supervisor; excellent listening, speaking, and writing skills; ability to understand basic medical terms, statutes, regulations, and policies; ability to effectively communicate with and advocate for individuals with physical, cognitive and mental health limitations.
Ability and willingness to successfully complete and maintain the requirements for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman certification. Candidates should have no conflict of interest with Ombudsman statutes. Possession of a valid Colorado Driver’s license.
One of the requirements of the Ombudsman position is to become certified by the State Long-Term Ombudsman office. An element of the certification process is to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest. Read the Conflict of Interest statement below and confirm that you do not have a conflict of interest.

Conflict of Interest Statement
1. I do not have any personal relationships with clients, family members, or facility staff that could affect my impartiality.
2. I shall not be assigned to a facility in which an immediate family member resides.
3. Neither I, nor my immediate family members, have direct involvement in licensing or certification of a long-term care facility or provider of long-term care services.
4. Neither I, nor my immediate family members, have an ownership or investment interest, represented by equity, debt or other financial relationship, in a long-term care facility or a long-term care service agency.
5. Neither I, nor my immediate family members, have been employed by or participated in the management of a long-term care facility within the past twelve (12) months and shall not receive nor have the right to receive, directly or indirectly, remuneration, in cash or in kind, under a compensation arrangement with an owner or operator of a long-term care facility.
6. I shall not accept any money, gift, gratuity, or any other consideration from a long-term care facility, provider of long-term care services, resident, or resident representative. If such is offered, I will refer the individual to the Area Agency on Aging.
7. I shall not provide services that have conflicting responsibilities to any resident of a facility in which I serve as the ombudsman, such as providing: Adult protective services; discharge planning or case management, including single entry point case management; Witness or agent to a power of attorney, CPR Directive, or other legal documents; guardianship, conservatorship, representative payee, or medical proxy services.
8. I shall not serve as a voting member of an ethics committee that makes medical decisions for residents.
9. I shall not use my position to promote any personal current or future business dealings with any long-term care staff, residents, or their family members.