Description

Overall Charge to Regional Ombudsman (RO)

The Regional Ombudsman (RO) is a representative of the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (SLTCOP) and the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass, Inc. (NHOA). The RO assists the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (SLTCO) with the delivery and coordination of Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) services statewide. Regional Ombudsmen assist, coach, and monitor District Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (DLTCOP). Regional Ombudsmen create and present educational materials to ombudsmen, residents, families, the public and Long-Term Care (LTC) facility staff. Regional Ombudsmen are resident advocates and certified LTC Ombudsmen.  Regional Ombudsmen report directly to the SLTCO.  

Duties and Responsibilities

State Ombudsman Program Support:

• Assist in the development and updating of certification training modules and DLTCOP educational materials.
• Contribute to the development, planning, and execution of Quarterly SLTCOP meetings.
• Maintain spreadsheet/data of D.O. certification and recertification dates.
• Participate in local, regional, state, and national committees as assigned by the SLTCO. 
• Support SLTCOP and DLTCOP when a LTC facility closes. Participate in closure team as needed.
• Monitor and identify DLTCOP conflicts of interest.
• Enter activities completed in the State Database.
• Maintain a clean working environment.
• Manage special projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.
   

District Ombudsman Program Support:

• Provide Certification Training to new District Ombudsmen (DO).
• Administer certification test and recertification exams.
• Provide assigned District Ombudsmen (DOs) with continuing education, technical assistance, and coaching.
• Provide information and assistance to district advisory councils. Review all advisory council meeting minutes for assigned DLTCOPs.
• Match new DOs with mentors and monitor mentoring reports.
• Work with DOs on complicated cases and emerging issues/trends to seek resolutions to the satisfaction of consumers.
• Assist DLTCOP in coordinating volunteer appreciation events.
• Research and distribute information on how to grow volunteer programs.
   

District Ombudsman Program Monitoring:

• Perform annual monitoring to ensure DLTCOPs meet contractual obligations and follow standard operating procedures.
• Monitor DLTCOP plans of correction.
• Perform quarterly monitoring visits to assigned DLTCOPs.
• Perform quarterly case and activity checks of assigned DLTCOPs.
• Monitor DLTCOP visitation to ensure 100% of facilities are visited quarterly.
• Monitor and identify conflicts of interests.
• Run reports on DLTCOP data, analyze, identify training needs and emerging issues regarding data accuracy and safety of client files.  
• Review Advisory Council meeting minutes for assigned DLTCOPs.
• Monitor DLTCOP data to identify trends and possible training topics.

Direct Services:

• Provide information and assistance to residents of LTC and their families.
• Provide information and assistance to community groups. Educate groups through public speaking events.
• Provide information to LTC facility staff.
• Provide training to LTC facility staff.
• Assist in the development of public education materials.
• Represent the KSLTCOP and NHOA in public forums.

Requirements

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Be free of conflicts of interest (applicant and their immediate family have not worked for a long-term care facility in the previous 12 months)
• Minimum of two years of experience with long-term services and supports or other direct services for older persons or individuals with disabilities
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel in-state
• Commitment to demanding the highest quality of care for Kentucky’s long-term care residents
• Excellent research, written and verbal communication, and collaboration skills
• Computer proficiency
• Ability to professionally represent the agency, handle sensitive information and maintain high levels of confidentiality
• Ability to meet deadlines and respond in a timely manner
• Ability to work independently within a flexible work structure

Additional Qualifications (preferred):

• Experience advocating for long term care consumers or other vulnerable populations
• Knowledge in long-term care
• Previous experience with community-based social services and nonprofit agencies
• Understanding of the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency service delivery system and state-wide network
• Commitment and values in line with the mission of the agency and industry
• Ability to travel for conference and training opportunities, in and out of state, with some overnights possible

Physical Requirements:

• Walking/moving through office environment and long-term care facilities
• Standing/moving up to 60 minutes
• Sitting 50 minutes
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
• No climbing, pulling, pushing or operating of tools