What are the responsibilities and job description for the Long Term Care Ombudsman position at The Senior Alliance?
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Healthcare Administration, Gerontology or other Human Services field is preferred, Equivalent work experience may be substituted for degree. Legal/medical or a State of Michigan Social Work license is preferred.
Experience: Experience in problem solving and case work. Broad advocacy knowledge extremely helpful.
Requirements: Certification by the State Long Term Care Ombudsman as a Local Long Term Care Ombudsman or the qualifications and willingness to obtain such certification. Must have reliable transportation and valid drivers license. The Senior Alliance is a non-profit 501c(3) where philanthropy on behalf of the agency is a requirement of all employees. Perform job functions with ethics, honesty and integrity.
General Job Description: Visit all long-term care facilities in the service area on a regular basis. Visit long-term care facilities in response to complaints. Educate the public regarding all aspects of the long-term care system. Duties also include advocacy, community education, assisting individuals in accessing long-term care services, assisting in development of resident/family councils, and supporting activities of volunteer advocates. Participate in agency philanthropic activities.
Duties:
- Routinely visit residents of long-term care facilities and ensure timely access to representatives of the Ombudsman program.
- Assist long-term care facility residents in understanding their rights
- Ensure equal Ombudsman treatment of all long-term care providers
- Assist individuals seeking placement in long-term care facilities in accessing needed services
- Represent interests of residents before government agencies and seek administrative, legal and other remedies to protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents
- Establish and maintain relationships with public and private guardians, state and local law enforcement agencies, legal assistance programs, courts of competent jurisdiction and other organizations providing support or assistance to long-term care facility residents
- Develop and maintain a relationship with the local Nursing Facility Closure team
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with state and federal policies
- Working with Waiver providers for identifying NFTIs
- Participate in all required training & support the development of resident and/or family councils
- Assist older adults and their families in understanding, identifying, locating, evaluating, and/or obtaining long-term care services
- Recruit, train, supervise and otherwise support activities related to volunteer advocates assigned to assist residents of identified long-term care facilities.
- Ensure compliance with all state and federal service standards, program guidelines and reporting requirements
- Other duties as assigned
