Lincoln Trail District Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Lincoln Trail District Long-Term Care Ombudsman

SALARY : $55,000 - $60,000

GENERAL SUMMARY :

The function of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Staff is to serve as an advocate for all residents in licensed nursing homes, adult residential care homes and assisted living facilities.

The District Long-Term Care Ombudsman is certified to visit long-term care facilities in the KIPDA and Lincoln Trail Districts to improve the quality of life for those residents.

She / he will protect the rights and dignity of nursing home residents. She / he will ensure that the terms of the Lincoln Trail contract are carried out.

Serve primarily in the Lincoln Trail District; serve as back-up to Program Director / KIPDA DO.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND TASKS :

• Assure services are accessible to older persons by telephone, correspondence, or person-to-person contact
• Represent residents residing in long-term care facilities within the assigned geographical areas
• Assure residents' rights are upheld and promote quality care in long-term care facilities
• Investigate and work to resolve complaints on behalf of long-term care residents
• Create and maintain an Advisory Council to create and promote systems-level change
• Evaluate periodically and at least quarterly for program effectiveness and efficiency. Utilize the federal reporting system to collect and analyze data relating to complaints and conditions in long term care facilities for the purpose of identifying and resolving significant problems.
• Monitor the development and implementation of laws, policies, and regulations that apply to residential long-term care
• Promote community involvement in the program by :
• Publicizing the existence and function of the local and state programs
• Advising the public about the availability of current state, local, and federal inspection reports, statements of deficiency, and plans for correction for individual long-term care facilities in the service area
• Organizing and implementing an active volunteer program
• Promoting citizen involvement in order to ensure regular visitations, especially for those residents without available family or friends
• Assisting in the development of family and friends councils
• Sponsoring community education and training programs for long-term care facilities, human service workers, families, and the general public about long-term care and residents' rights issues
• Ability to respond in a timely fashion to requests from the Kentucky Long-term Care Ombudsman Program for statistical data and other information
• Ability to receive training and continuing education from the Kentucky Long-term Care Ombudsman Program
• Ability to inform and educate residents, sponsors, organizations, the long-term care industry, and the general public relative to issues affecting the long-term care system, the ombudsman program, and resident rights and concerns
• Implement accurate recordkeeping procedures
• Maintenance of a complaint documentation system
• Ability to assure confidentiality of files
• Be free of conflicts of interest

WORKING CONDITIONS :

This work is performed in an office setting with moderate noise due to computers, printers, and people moving about and out in the community visiting long-term care facilities.

EFFORT :

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time
• Specific vision abilities include close and distant vision
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to travel frequently within the community
• Ability to accurately examine and analyze information

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT :

telephone, computer, printer, copy machine, fax machine, calculator, scanner, and shredder

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

Required : Bachelor’s degree in a health or human services profession from an accredited college or university with 1 year of experience in health or human services;

or the educational or experiential equivalent in the field of aging or physical disabilities; or be a certified regional or district ombudsman with no lapse in certification.

Preferred : At least 5 years of social services experience, including at least 2 years working with seniors in a supervisory position.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to those who are able to perform the essential duties of the job.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE :

Trained and skilled in assessing and dealing with the needs of older adults and in the delivery of each service

• 36-hrs of Certification training
• Certified within thirty (30) days of hire or prior to providing services; and
• e-certified every two (2) years prior to the expiration of the current certification
• 18hrs of continuing education annually
• A completed background check conducted prior to hire using the following :
• The Adult Protective Services Caregiver Misconduct Registry;
• The Kentucky Nurse Aide registry; and
• A criminal record check utilizing the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts or the Kentucky Justice Cabinet and not have been found guilty of the following :
• 1. A violent crime as defined by KRS 439.3401;
• 2. Abuse, neglect, or exploitation of another person, including assault;
• 3. Felony theft offense; or
• 4. Felony drug offense.
• Must enjoy working with the elderly
• Must represent Catholic Charities in a positive manner in dress and presentation when meeting the public and demonstrate good networking skills
• Must be able to communicate well verbally and in writing with colleagues, superiors, clients, and community personnel
• Must be a good listener
• Must have valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation
• Must be proficient in PC skills including Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel plus Outlook and databases
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information

Catholic Charities of Louisville is the social-service arm of the Archdiocese of Louisville. We provide help and create hope for the poor and vulnerable through a wide range of programs, assisting clients of all races, backgrounds and beliefs.

Our service area includes 24 counties throughout Central Kentucky.

Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Paid Holidays, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability 401K / 403b