Long Term Care Ombudsman

United Way Of Southwestern Pa; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

United Way of Central Alabama seeks a Long-Term Care Ombudsman to advocate for resident rights, resolve complaints, and coordinate with agencies and facilities to improve care quality for Alabama seniors.

The role requires a 4-year degree (or equivalent experience), strong communication and policy interpretation skills, and the ability to travel within the state. Office environment with occasional after-hours work is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or related human services field.
• Three years of experience in a human service-related program can substitute for a degree.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and resolve complaints from long-term care residents.
• Advocate on behalf of residents and ensure rights are protected.
• Monitor facilities for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
• Develop and deliver trainings for facility staff and community groups.
• Respond to and refer inquiries related to long-term care facilities.

Skills

Effective communication

Investigation and complaint resolution

Policy interpretation

Training development

Advocacy

Reading policies and laws

Knowledge of elder care regulations

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Windows

Excel

Job description

• Location 3600 8th Avenue South,Birmingham, AL, 35222,United States
• Employee Type Full time
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree
• Travel 20%
• Manage Others No

Description

Join United Way as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman and make a real impact in the lives of Alabama's seniors! Advocate for resident rights, solve meaningful challenges, and help ensure every individual receives the dignity, respect, and quality care they deserve. If you're passionate about helping others and creating positive change, this is your opportunity to make every day matter.

Job Description:

The mission of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is to enhance the quality of life, improve the level of care, protect individual rights, and promote the dignity of each Alabama citizen residing in a long-term care facility. The Ombudsman solves complaints on behalf of long-term care residents using a network of trained and certified Ombudsmen. The Ombudsman establishes productive liaisons with senior organizations, advocacy groups and cooperative associations that impact the lives of long-term care residents.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of long-term care residents.
• Advocate on behalf of long-term care residents.
• Achieve program objectives by working with involved parties, which could include family members, facility members, facility administration, medical professionals, local and state agencies, guardians and conservators, attorneys, law enforcement and the courts.
• Monitor the development and implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and administrative actions that affect long-term care facilities.
• Comment on proposed regulatory changes
• Interpret federal and state laws and regulations relating to long-term care facility residents.
• Knowledgeable of elder care laws, including the older Americans Act as amended, Title VII.
• Monitor the conditions in long-term care facilities via ongoing on-site facility visits and reviewing regulatory reports.
• Develop and present training for facility staff and community groups.
• Respond to complaints and inquires relating to long-term care facilities or residents.
• Provide consolation and technical assistance to family members, facility staff, guardians, attorneys, and others, including rapid response to urgent problems.
• Act as the resident’s representative/advocate in administrative conferences resulting from a notice of involuntary discharge from a long-term care facility.
• Respond to and make referral of suspected abuse to an appropriate agency.
• Maintain appropriate case files and written records of complaints and consultations

Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills

Effective communication with industry customers, consumers, legislators and staff both orally and in writing

Investigation and complaint resolution skills

Interpreting and implementing policy and procedure

Development and delivery of tracings and training materials

Experience as an advocateInterest in working with the elderly population

Ability to read/interpret policies, rules, and laws.

Knowledge of nursing homes and adult home systems

Experience and complaint investigation, mediation and conflict resolution

Strong commitment to consumer advocacy and resident rights

Good oral, written and organizational skillsKnowledge of community resources

Training skills in public speaking

Computer skills and experience using Microsoft Office, Windows, and Excel

Education/ Experience

A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or a related degree in human services; ORAny combination of experience or education equivalent to three years of experience in a human service-related program.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment with occasional afterhours work and travel throughout the state

Rotating work schedule to include evening/weekend and on-call.

Travel to and from sites as needed and appropriate.

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs

Requirements

Reliable transportation

Proof of automobile insurance commensurate with State law

Background checks to include but not limited to criminal record and drug screen

Must meet and maintain eligibility requirements to be insured by UWCA’s insurance

Cell phone

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an emergency regulation requiring COVID-19 vaccination of eligible staff at health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The regulation also provides for exemptions based on recognized medical conditions or religious beliefs, observances, or practices.

Conflict of Interest

A person or member of the person’s immediate family has any financial or ownership interest in a long-term care facility or is employed by a long-term care facility.

A person who has been employed by a long-term care facility within the last two years.

United Way of Central Alabama Mission & Core Values

Mission:

To increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another and to improve their community.

Core Values

• Put People First: Respect every person, value employees, foster inclusion, serve others, and lead by example.
• Serve the Community: Understand and meet community needs while making the community better through our work.
• Do the Right Thing: Act with integrity, honesty, transparency, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
• Be Collaborative: Build strong teams and trusted partnerships, work strategically, and unite around shared goals and measures of success.