What are the responsibilities and job description for the Long Term Care Ombudsman position at NEMCSA?
Summary of Duties:
Provides long term care ombudsman activities and elder abuse prevention activities in a 12-county region to include education, intervention, and public speaking / training for licensed nursing homes, adult foster care homes and homes for the aged, and community organizations as needed. Acts as a liaison between nursing facility residents, families, and advocacy programming. Assists with elder abuse prevention activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.
- Work closely with the State Long Term Care Ombudsman office to deliver ombudsman services to local nursing home or licensed facility residents;
- Ensure appropriate documentation is completed accurately and timely;
- Make routine facility visits to licensed nursing homes, adult foster care homes, and homes for the aged;
- Interview residents and provide information on long-term care and resident rights;
- Investigate complaints and advocate on residents’ behalf as appropriate, mediating and/or facilitating problem resolutions;
- Negotiate with facility staff regarding resident concerns;
- Provide support to resident and family councils;
- Collaborate with legal staff on appropriate cases;
- Develop program objectives and short-term/strategic goals to advance the ability to serve the public;
- Be knowledgeable about changing legislation affecting long term care residents, advocate for positive change and inform the public of pending legislation;
- Coordinate, plan, and execute regional elder abuse prevention activities including an annual elder abuse prevention conference;
- Provide information regarding various long-term care and public benefit program regulations and issues;
- Assist in developing advocacy services, including help with annual plans, guidelines, and grant applications, as necessary;
- Work closely and cooperatively with legal and other community agencies;
- Attend appropriate educational trainings including quarterly State Long Term Care Ombudsman meetings;
- Conduct in-service trainings on resident rights at nursing homes as needed;
- Establish effective working relationships with nursing home staff, families, probate courts and the community.
- Recruit, screen and train potential volunteers and coordinate annual recognition event;
- Conduct annual assessments of volunteers;
- Coordinate program publicity.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position manages an average of 2-6 volunteers.
