Area Ombudsman

San Juan Basin Area Agency On Aging is looking for an Area Ombudsman

Part-Time Position: 10 hours per week

$30.00 per hour

The Colorado Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) protects the rights and improves the quality of care and quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities in Colorado through individual and systems advocacy for and on behalf of residents who live in nursing homes and assisted living residences. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a resident-centered advocacy program. The resident is the program’s client regardless of the source of the complaint, or request for assistance. The Program educates, empowers, represents, and advocates on behalf of long-term care residents.

Brief Description of Job (Purpose):

Perform long term care (LTC) advocacy and problem solving for nursing homes, assisted living homes, and personal care boarding home residents and provide education/guidance regarding long term care aspects. Serves as an advocate for residents in long term care facilities under the state LTC program. The Ombudsman proceeds independently to complete assignments, coordinating matters as needed to resolve problems and/or to make referrals; refers policy recommendations to other agencies; and listens attentively and has compassion for vulnerable adults.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, investigate, and work to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents per Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures (LTCOP P&Ps).
• Provide advocacy services to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents.
• Ensure residents in the applicable Regional Ombudsman Program service area have regular and timely access to the services provided through the Ombudsman Program.
• Ensure residents and complainants receive timely responses to requests for information and complaints.
• Promote and provide technical support as requested by potential and current resident councils and family councils.
• Keep Regional Program records confidential per Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of the LTCOP P&Ps and disclose only per Section 9.5 of the LTCOP P&Ps;
• Under the direction and supervision of the Regional Ombudsman and in conjunction with the position(s) of the Office Long Term Care Ombudsmen: a. represent the interests of residents before government agencies and assure
• Only under the direction and supervision of the Regional Ombudsman and in conjunction with the position(s) of the Office Long-Term Care Ombudsmen:
• represent the interests of residents before government agencies and assure that residents have access to, and pursue administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of the residents;
• review, and if necessary, comment on any existing and proposed laws, regulations, and other government policies and actions, which pertain to the rights and well-being of residents; and
• facilitate the ability of the public to comment on the laws, regulations, policies, and actions.
• Represent the interests of residents before government agencies and assure that residents have access to, and pursue administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of the residents;
• Review, and if necessary, comment on any existing and proposed laws, regulations, and other government policies and actions, which pertain to the rights and well-being of residents; and
• Facilitate the ability of the public to comment on the laws, regulations, policies, and actions.
• Follow the direction of the Regional Ombudsman to meet any regional or state goals;
• Comply with all Program reporting requirements and ensure all Program activities and complaint data are entered into the Office approved electronic database within the timelines set forth in LTCOP P&Ps;
• Complete the conflict-of-interest form developed by the Office on an annual basis, when a conflict occurs, and as requested by the Office;
• Not perform any duties different from those presented in LTCOP P&Ps without the expressed permission of the State Ombudsman.

Reports to:

Staff Long-Term Care Ombudsmen report the Regional Ombudsman who is supervised by the Colorado State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (State Ombudsman), head of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (Office). For the purposes of personnel management, the Local Ombudsman reports to the hiring Local Ombudsman Entity (LOE).

Qualifications

• Must have LTC Ombudsman certification in Colorado upon hire or obtain LTC Ombudsman certification in Colorado within the first 90 days of employment and this position must maintain certification throughout employment.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in social work, human services, public administration or related field of study required.
• Two years of professional experience working in long-term services and supports or other services for older persons or individuals with disabilities; with program coordination; training others/stakeholders (residents, providers, long-term care professionals, volunteers, etc.) required.
• Meet the requirements of the Local Ombudsman Entity (LOE)
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Submit to the state required background checks and not have a disqualifying conviction pursuant to CO Rev Stat § 27-90-111 (2016) or substantiated physical abuse, sexual abuse, caretaker neglect, exploitation, or a harmful act as determined through a CAPS check;
• Be able to carry out the responsibilities of a Regional Ombudsman;
• Have no direct involvement in the licensing or certification of a long-term care facility; Not have an ownership or investment interest (represented by equity, debt, or other financial relationship) in a long-term care facility. Divestment within a reasonable period may be considered an adequate remedy to this conflict;
• Not have been employed by or participated in the management of a long-term care facility within the previous twelve months;
• Not receive, or 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;
• Have no conflicts of interest as listed in Section 4.1(F) of the LTCOP P&Ps that cannot be remedied or removed;
• Complete the Office-approved initial certification training;
• Provide a signed agreement to follow the Ombudsman Code of Ethics;
• Complete all certification requirements prescribed by the Office; be a certified ombudsman; maintain all certification requirements per Section 3.4(D).
• Provide a signed agreement to follow the Ombudsman Code of Ethics;
• Complete all certification requirements prescribed by the Office; be a certified ombudsman; maintain all certification requirements per Section 3.4(D);
• Residency: Reside within Cortez, CO area, or be willing to relocate within 60 days of hire;
• Travel is required 75-80%. Travel to Dolores County and visit facilities in Montezuma County.
• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-to-year basis.

Benefit Information:

• Healthy Families and Workplaces Act Sick Leave
• Company car provided as available.
• Company-issued cell phone provided.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 per week

Ability to Relocate:

• Cortez, CO 81321: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 per week

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• working in long-term services and supports: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Colorado LTC Ombudsman Certification (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Cortez, CO 81321: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30