Long Term Care Ombudsman Regional Director

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) Regional Director

Position Title: LTCOP Regional Director

Classification: Non-Exempt

Hours: Full Time

Salary: Starts at $32/hr. DOE

Reports To: TRC Administration, MSC Program Director

About the Position

The Regional Long-Term Care Ombuds (RLTCO) serves as an effective and visible advocate for the well-being of long-term care residents within Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties. In alignment to MSC’s mission this position will ensure that all LTC residents and stakeholders have equitable access to advocacy in addition to feeling connected and supported by the LTCOP and MSC’s services. The RLTCO is a representative of the State Office of the Long-Term Care Ombuds and is designated as “Regional” Ombuds by the State LTC Ombuds. The Regional LTCO shall promote both individual and systematic complaint resolution activities, including community involvement, administrative and legislative monitoring, and reporting.

The Regional Long-Term Care Ombuds shall promote the development of citizen organizations, such as resident and family councils, to give residents of long-term care facilities, a voice in resident health, safety, and policy-making process. Promote the regional program to increase awareness of and involvement with local long-term care facilities. Recruit, train and supervise volunteers to help carry out complaint fact-finding and resolution activities. Work with local organizations to develop additional funding for the regional program. Establish communication channels with government agencies, long-term care providers and organizations, professional groups, and advocate groups within the region.

The RLTCO shall receive and carry out fact-finding, and resolve complaints relating to administrative action, which adversely affect health, welfare, and rights of residents of long-term care facilities within the region. Encourage reconciliation over services or issues when necessary. LTC Ombuds are always resident driven and advocate for the resident. The RLTCO will assist long-term care providers, agencies, volunteers, and others in becoming more responsive to the needs of residents. With the consent of residents, the RLTCO will refer complaints for investigation by the appropriate protective entities. Maintain a regional reporting system to collect data related to complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities.

The RLTCO shall monitor complaints and the system to identify long-term care patterns and issues in the region. Analyze and develop policies and procedures to provide information and understanding to authorities charged with operation and regulations of the long-term care facilities within the region.

The RLTO shall supervise the staff and volunteers Ombuds of the assigned County LTCO program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Long-Term Care Ombuds Tasks

Receive the delegation of Long-Term Care Ombuds authority from the State Long-Term Care Ombuds, and, within the region fulfill Long-Term Care Ombuds responsibilities assigned by the Federal Older Americans Act and state Long-Term Care Ombudsman statutes on behalf of the State Long-Term Care Ombuds.

Inform residents, their representatives, and others about their rights, and offer and provide services

• Identify, receive, carry out fact findings about, and resolve complaints and concerns raised by residents, family members, friends, and facility staff within the region.
• Utilize mediation and other skills in resolving complaints by residents and other parties, by representing the resident’s point of view.
• Maintain the confidentiality of complaints and residents per federal and state statutes.
• Document complaints and cases per instructions from the State Ombuds; maintain the region’s computerized case management system to assure complaints are resolved in a timely manner.
• Provide summary statistical and narrative reports per instructions from the State Ombuds; utilize computer system to generate monthly and annual summary reports as required by the State Ombuds.
• Represent the interests of residents before government agencies and seek administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of the residents
• Follow Program Instructions as issued in the official memo series from the State Ombuds.
• Attending regular staff meetings convened by the Office of the State LTCO.
• Provide staff services to the Regional Long-Term-Care Ombudsman Advisory Council.
• Visit LTC facilities throughout the counties served.

Volunteer Management

• Recruit qualified individuals to volunteer as a Long-Term Care Ombuds.
• Coordinate initial 36-hour certification training, lead, and organize training sessions.
• Provide monthly training for all certified Ombuds. Training topics will be applicable to Ombuds work and relevant.
• Supervise and evaluate the work of volunteers and staff Ombuds. Provide technical assistance and supervision on visiting assigned facilities, complaints receipt and resolution, fact-finding, investigation, and utilization of a variety of approaches to complaint resolution (mediation, negotiation, etc.).
• The RLTO shall supervise the staff and volunteer Ombuds of the LTCO Program for their region.

Supervision and Evaluation:

• Evaluate on time according to the MSC policy, the performance of individuals under supervision, providing feedback, coaching, and performance improvement plans as needed.
• Verify proper classification of hours worked, including regular hours, overtime, and any applicable leave or absences.
• Collaborate with the Human Resources department to implement appropriate measures, such as warnings or disciplinary actions, if necessary.
• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training new employees. It also could include planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Position requirements

The requirements listed below 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.

Education:

• B.A. degree in health, nursing, social sciences, psychology, sociology, counseling, social work, or closely related field is highly preferred.
• OR minimum six years of direct work experience in human services or related field;
• OR any combination of education, experience, and measurable performance, which shows the capability to perform the duties of this position.

Related experience:

• 4 years' experience in advocacy work or human services or related field. At least two years in the field of aging or geriatric long-term care.
• At least 3 years supervisory experience of paid employees is required.
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and policy formulation.
• Demonstrated experience in management principles and techniques, including the management of volunteers.
• Demonstrated experience in training adults and public speaking.
• Must be free of conflict of interests as defined in WAC 365-18-040 and attached to this job description.
• Must have reliable insured transportation and possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
• Must be able to successfully pass the Washington State Background Check.

Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations:

• Achieve and keep certification as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
• Current driver license, auto insurance and reliable transportation.
• Candidates that live in the same county as the position is posted is preferred.

Meet the following conflict of interest WAC 365-18-040 Conflict of Interest guidelines:

• Ombuds cannot be employed by, manage, or work as a paid consultant or independent contractor for a long-term facility, currently or within the last one year.
• Ombuds or a member of his/her immediate family cannot have a significant ownership or investment interest in a long-term care facility or service, currently or within the last one year.
• Ombuds cannot have a direct involvement in the licensing or regulation of a long-term care facility or long-term care service, currently or within the last one year.
• Ombuds cannot ask for or receive gifts, money, or estate property from a resident, unless the resident is a relative.
• Ombuds cannot be assigned to a long-term care facility in which the Ombudsman or a member of his/her immediate family is a resident.
• Ombuds shall not use this position for any financial benefit, direct, indirect, or implied.
• Ombuds shall not conduct or engage in political or religious activities at the long-term care facility she/he is assigned.
• Ombuds cannot have direct personal involvement in the provision of involuntary services or involuntary commitment of a resident.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Public speaking is a plus.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Good at working with people.
• Show compassion and empathy for the elderly population.
• Respect for different backgrounds and the ability to treat everyone in an equal manner.
• Ability to represent the agency and all its programs to funders and donors in a professional manner

Technical Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of INSERT TECHNICAL SKILLS OR JOB-SPECIFIC SKILLS.

• Knowledge of Long-term services and support or other direct services for older individuals or individuals with disabilities.
• Leadership and program management skills.
• Knowledge of gerontology or aging or long-term care systems and issues a plus.
• Case management and mediation.
• Networking between agencies (disable and mental health)
• Public policy advocacy.
• Read, write and understand the English language. Bi-lingual a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 including SharePoint, OneDrive, Outlook email and calendaring, and standard Office applications.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee must regularly:

• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Stand and sit for extended periods of time; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; balance; bend and reach with hands and arms; use feet to operate foot pedal operation; and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to climb ladders, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to an indoor, climate-controlled environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is average for indoor environments.
• Travel throughout Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties.

Please submit Resume to Nicole Barr at Nicole.barr@trconnects.org.

Pay: From $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chehalis, WA 98532