Ombudsman - Resident Advocate

Advocate for Monterey County residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities while maintaining strict adherence to laws, regulations, and policies. Provide information and assistance to the public, long-term care residents, facilities, and other agencies concerning long-term care resources and placement guidance. Empower and assist residents when addressing care needs and concerns.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the guidance of the Ombudsman Program Manager, respond to assigned complaints and reports of suspected abuse in long-term care facilities in Monterey County.
• These facilities include Skilled Nursing Facilities, Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (Assisted Living), Adult Day Programs and Adult Residential Facilities.
• Maintain positive working relationships with facility management, staff and other agencies concerned with the welfare and rights of long-term care residents.
• Make monthly unannounced general facility visits to long-term care facilities throughout Monterey County.
• Ensure the maintenance of confidentiality in accordance with Federal and State requirements.
• Ensure that Ombudsman receive the resident’s or responsible parties’ consent before revealing a resident’s identity to facility staff.
• Document and maintain detailed records of client interactions, complaints, investigations and associated paperwork.
• Compile monthly data on facility visits, complaints & investigations, volunteer service hours, long-term care consults, and enter data into ODIN database or other AOA report templates, according to the report due date.
• Review active cases with staff Ombudsman and Ombudsman Program Manager.
• Provide information and assistance to the public, long-term care residents, facilities, and other agencies concerning long-term care.
• Attend care conferences, when requested, for residents living in long-term care facilities.
• Attend residential and family council meetings, as appropriate.
• Witness Advance Health Care Directives and property transfers for residents living in skilled nursing facilities.
• Ensure referral of the complaint to the appropriate licensing body, as appropriate.
• Attend citation review conferences as an advocate for residents.
• Develop and deliver PowerPoint presentations to the community and facility staff.
• Develop and provide in-service training to long-term care facility staff on the role of the Ombudsman, residents’ rights, abuse reporting and other issues in long-term care.
• Attend monthly staff Ombudsman team meetings in Salinas. Attend community meetings as requested by the Ombudsman Program Manager. Participate in annual volunteer Ombudsman certification trainings and shadowing visits. Supervise certified Ombudsman Volunteers through consistent individual consultations and group meetings. Participate in the planning of monthly Ombudsman In-Service meetings held on the third Thursday of each month. Co-plan and execute occasional volunteer recognition events.
• Follow  COVID protocols as established by CA Dept. Public Health and our local health department. 
• Maintain an Ombudsman presence in the Alliance on Aging office in Monterey. Other duties as assigned.