Ombudsman Outreach & Volunteer Specialist

Description

The mission of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is to protect the health, safety, welfare, human and civil rights of people living in nursing homes and adult care facilities.

Ombudsmen help long-term care residents understand and exercise their rights to good care in an environment that promotes and protects their dignity and quality of life.

Job Duties :

The successful candidate will be expected to :

• Participate in outreach activities, program education, and public awareness regarding systemic issues involving older adults, and to recruit Ombudsman volunteers.
• Respond to inquiries from prospective volunteers timely. Explain the Ombudsman program, volunteer expectations, and qualifications to determine if they are a good fit.
• Prepare, send, review, and track applications.
• Recruit, screen, place, and train volunteers.
• Mentoring volunteers.
• Provide Ombudsman coverage for long term care facilities, including in person visits.
• Coordinate pre and post shadowing visits for new volunteers with certified ombudsman.
• Design and implement strategies for recruitment of volunteers from diverse backgrounds reflecting the demographics of the service area.
• Set up, schedule, participate, and facilitate volunteer recruitment activities, certification, and in-service training in accordance with State Ombudsman Program requirements.

Schedule guest speakers as needed.

• Ensure volunteer recruitment and program documentation, reports, and records are updated and entered correctly into the data system in a timely manner in accordance with the requirements established by the Senior Long Term Ombudsman Program Coordinator and the NY State Ombudsman Program Rules and Regulations.
• Review required facility notices, including the Department of Health surveys and facility discharges. Follow up as needed for more complete information and track patterns.
• Attend Department of Health surveys and exit meetings when the assigned Ombudsman is not available.

Education Requirements :

• An Associates degree is preferred.
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Related experience may be considered in lieu of higher education.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities :

• Knowledge of long-term care resident’s rights, quality of care and quality of life.
• Experience with community networking, collaboration, public speaking, and working with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Driver License and personal vehicle, ability to travel independently.

Benefits :

• 16 annual vacation days, 12 annual sick days
• 13 annual paid holidays : (now includes Eid-Al-Fitr and Yom Kippur)
• 401K with up to 10% employer investment
• Heavily subsidized health / vision / dental insurance
• Additional benefits available

Travel Required : Yes, within a 4-county catchment area