Regional Ombudsman

San Juan Basin Area Agency On Aging is seeking a Regional Ombudsman

Part-Time Position: 14 hours per week

$35.00 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):

This position will 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:

The Regional Ombudsman is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to:

• Ensure the ombudsmen in the Regional Ombudsman Program identify, investigate, and work to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents per LTCOP P&Ps;
• Ensure the ombudsmen in the Regional Ombudsman Program provide information and assistance to residents, facility staff, the general public, legislators, community organizations, and other agencies regarding long-term care issues;
• Ensure Regional Program records are kept confidential per Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of the LTCOP P&Ps and disclosed only per Section 9.5 of the LTCOP P&Ps;
• Participate in the hiring process of a Long-Term Care Ombudsman with the LOE by screening and interviewing applicants to ensure all criteria are met and by submitting the applicant’s resume, results for a background check, conflict of interest form, and job description to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman;
• Ensure individuals complete the certification process;
• Only recommend individuals to be certified as Long-Term Care Ombudsmen to the State Ombudsman who meet all criteria as required by the Office;
• · Maintain an accurate and current list of paid and volunteer ombudsmen (including, name, phone numbers, address and email address), ombudsman assignments, and long-term care facilities within the service area. Such lists must be made available to the Office upon request;
• Partner with aging and disability networks and other stakeholders for the benefit of residents;
• Provide supervision and technical assistance to ombudsmen;
• Provide input to the LOE on the projected Program budget to include adequate funds that support volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition, and any other programmatic directives issued by the State Ombudsman. Other considerations must include programmatic needs, such as outreach, equipment, continuing education, and training;
• Consult with and obtain approval of the Office prior to advocating for broad policy, regulatory, administrative, and legislative issues that effects residents and the LTCOP;
• Follow the positions and direction of the Office when speaking publicly or on behalf of the LTCOP;
• Cooperate with and follow the direction of the Office on projects, initiatives, and responses to systems advocacy needs;
• Inform the Office of any ombudsman involvement or participation in outside groups or factions in which the ombudsman represents the LTCOP. Such groups or factions include but are not limited to:
• Advisory groups
• Committees
• Appointed positions
• Boards (e.g., nursing home innovation grants board).
• Develop a plan for temporary personnel coverage in order to meet the complaint response time in accordance with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures (LTCOP P&Ps);
• Attend all training events and meetings required by the Office unless such attendance is excused by the Office;
• Comply with all Office 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; and
• Not perform any duties different from those presented in LTCOP P&Ps without the expressed permission of the State Ombudsman

Reports to:

The Regional Ombudsman reports to and 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

The Regional Ombudsman must:

• 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.
• Meet the requirements of the LOE;
• Be at least 21 years old;
• 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;
• Carry out the responsibilities of a Regional Ombudsman;
• Have attained a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, unless the State Ombudsman has provided prior approval of an individual without a degree;
• Have a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in advocacy, aging, social services, healthcare or related fields, unless the State Ombudsman has provided prior approval of an individual with less than two (2) years of work experience;
• Work solely as the Regional Ombudsman when there are 2,000 or more long-term care beds in the applicable service area;
• 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; and
• Maintain all certification requirements per Section 3.4 (D).
• Residency: Reside within Durango, CO area, or be willing to relocate within 60 days of hire.
• Travel is required 75-80%. Travel to Pagosa, Bayfield and visit facilities in Durango.
• 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: $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 14 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:

• Durango, CO 81301: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30 - $35