SENIOR ADULT RIGHTS ADVOCATE

State-of-Nevad; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) in Reno, Nevada is seeking a Senior Adult Rights Advocate to support the Long Term Care Ombudsman program. The role conducts advocacy, case management, and investigations to protect the rights and well-being of older and vulnerable adults in community and facility settings.

Under limited supervision, you will train others, assist in policy development, and collaborate with facilities, families, and providers to resolve issues and improve quality

Qualifications

• Three or more years of applicable experience as described in the job duties and graduation from high school or equivalent education.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients and caregivers in life planning for independent living.
• Provide information and referrals to agencies for physical, emotional, social, and economic support services.
• Coordinate a network of services and resources for financial, health care, housing, in-home care, and other service needs of clients.
• Establish partnerships, determine appropriate services, identify gaps in services, and conduct surveys.
• Handle inquiries, complaints, and respond to requests for assistance.
• Complete intake forms and other types of forms and assessments and enter information into systems.
• Provide advocacy and case management services and refer individuals to appropriate services.
• Complete records on services provided.
• Research, develop, update, and conduct public presentations based on requests for information.
• Provide information and assistance to staff, service providers, caregivers, community organizations, law enforcement, and others regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation, and isolation of individuals.
• Evaluate and enhance resources to meet client needs and ensure quality assurance efforts are met.
• Assist in policy, procedure, and form development.
• Review legislation and regulations to determine impact on clients and participate in community engagement.
• Investigate complaints made by or on behalf of clients residing in the community or who reside in a facility.
• Advocate for clients under strict consent and confidentiality guidelines.
• Offer information to clients' families, facilities, and other agencies regarding a variety of topics related to client care.
• Provide training on long-term care, resident rights, dignity and respect, abuse, abandonment, neglect, isolation, exploitation, quality of care, and quality of life.
• Support resident and family councils, monitor facility trends, and make referrals to other agencies.
• Conduct Medicaid outreach and ensure provider compliance.
• Act as a team leader by assigning and reviewing work, training, and providing input to performance evaluations and discipline.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Advocacy

Investigate complaints

Communication

Case management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Three or more years of applicable experience

Job description

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is currently recruiting for a Senior Adult Rights Advocate in Reno, Nevada. This recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur in the following program: Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO). Under limited supervision, incumbents, in addition to performing the full range of duties described in the series concept, investigate complaints made by or on behalf of clients residing in the community or who reside in facilities such as skilled nursing, group homes, homes for individual residential care, and assisted living facilities; work on behalf of clients under strict consent and confidentiality guidelines; provide information to clients’ family members, facilities and other agencies regarding a variety of topics relative to client care; provide advocacy and case management services to clients; provide training on a variety of topics regarding long-term care, resident rights, dignity and respect, abuse, abandonment, neglect, isolation, exploitation, quality of care and quality of life; assist in the development and support of long-term care residents and family councils, track trends in facilities, and make referrals to other agencies as appropriate; provide Medicaid outreach by providing information to the public about Medicaid eligibility and services; and monitor Medicaid provider compliance and work to resolve provider service issues. This is the advanced journey level in the series. ADSD fosters a positive, inclusive, and diverse work environment that values innovation, teamwork, and collaboration. The mission of ADSD is to empower individuals and their support systems by providing resources for disabilities and aging - connecting Nevadans to services and improving their quality of life.

Adult Rights Advocates provide advocacy and assistance to protect and enhance the health, safety, welfare, and rights of older persons (adults 60 and older) and/or vulnerable persons. Three or more years of applicable experience as described in the job duties and graduation from high school or equivalent education.

1. Assist clients and caregivers in life planning for independent living.
2. Provide information and referrals to agencies for physical, emotional, social, and economic support services.
3. Coordinate a network of services and resources for financial, health care, housing, in-home care, and other service needs of clients.
4. Establish partnerships, determine appropriate services, identify gaps in services, and conduct surveys.
5. Handle inquiries, complaints, and respond to requests for assistance.
6. Complete intake forms and other types of forms and assessments and enter information into systems.
7. Provide advocacy and case management services and refer individuals to appropriate services.
8. Complete records on services provided.
9. Research, develop, update, and conduct public presentations based on requests for information.
10. Provide information and assistance to staff, service providers, caregivers, community organizations, law enforcement, and others regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation, and isolation of individuals.
11. Evaluate and enhance resources to meet client needs and ensure quality assurance efforts are met.
12. Assist in policy, procedure, and form development.
13. Review legislation and regulations to determine impact on clients and participate in community engagement.
14. Investigate complaints made by or on behalf of clients residing in the community or who reside in a facility.
15. Advocate for clients under strict consent and confidentiality guidelines.
16. Offer information to clients' families, facilities, and other agencies regarding a variety of topics related to client care.
17. Provide training on long-term care, resident rights, dignity and respect, abuse, abandonment, neglect, isolation, exploitation, quality of care, and quality of life.
18. Support resident and family councils, monitor facility trends, and make referrals to other agencies.
19. Conduct Medicaid outreach and ensure provider compliance.
20. Act as a team leader by assigning and reviewing work, training, and providing input to performance evaluations and discipline.
21. Perform related duties as assigned.

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Knowledge of:

• Rights andneedsof older and/or vulnerable persons residing in the community or long-term care facilities; right to self-determination and theright to privacy; areas relevant to older and/or vulnerable persons residing in the community or in long-term care facilities; regulatory information and long-term care services; public and private welfare and social programs.

Ability to:

• Identify,investigate, and resolve complaints; advocate forolder and/or vulnerable persons and resolveproblems;identify abuse,abandonment,neglect, exploitation, isolation, and other adverse circumstances.
• Convey and document accurate and precise information; review and analyze information received from residents, family members, facility staff,and others; apply federal regulations, State laws, and agency policies and procedures to determine compliance; write reports and make referrals to other agencies.
• Review work products for quality, quantity, and timeliness; analyze information, problems, situations, practices, or procedures to define objectives, identify relevant concerns, formulate logical conclusions, and recognize alternatives and their implications.