Long Term Care Ombudsman

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a position within the Planning and Grants Department, which is responsible for administering the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging’s (Agency) grant programs. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is responsible for conducting daily activities as required for the Agency’s implementation of the Illinois Department on Aging’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). The LTCOP is a state-wide program aimed at improving the quality of life and care of older adults residing in long-term care facilities. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman regularly visits long-term care facilities and their residents in an assigned area, investigates complaints, and acts on behalf of residents to protect their rights.

Essential Functions

Lead:

·         Collects data, maintains records, and completes reports as required.

·         Safeguards the Agency against waste, fraud, and abuse. 

Advocacy:

·         All activities are conducted according to the policies and procedures developed by the Illinois Department on Aging for the state-wide implementation of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

            The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is responsible for carrying out the following duties             within an assigned geographic area:

§  Investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of older adults who are residents of long-term care facilities.

§  Conducts regular visits with long-term care facilities and residents.

§  Assists the Regional Ombudsman with advocacy activities that ensure residents are represented to governmental agencies and policy-makers.          

Innovate:

·         Conducts Pioneer activities within assigned long-term care facilities.

·         Develops a collection of resources to creatively address systemic issues.

Collaborate:

·         Provides public information and education activities about long-term care issues and state and federal licensing, certification, and regulation to Aging and Disability networks and other stake holders

·         Assists with the development and implementation of resident and family councils in long-term care facilities.

·         Participates in and contributes to statewide and local initiatives including reducing social isolation and TRIAD within assigned territory.

Competencies

·         Problem Solving/Analysis to propose options and effective solutions.

·         Critical Evaluation to analyze progress.

·         Time Management to meet milestones and deadlines.

·         Strategic Thinking for considering different approaches and solutions.

·         Ethical Conduct to act fairly and with high moral standards.

·         Communication to connect effectively with others.

·         Performance Management to arrive at expected outcomes.

·         Organization Skills to methodically move toward the completion of tasks.

·         Interpersonal Skills to develop and manage effective relationships.

·         Team Oriented to collaborate and engage cooperatively with others in assigned tasks.

·         Discretion to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and be privy to information that must be protected.

Supervisory Responsibility

The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment (Office and Remote Setting)

This job operates in a professional Drug-Free Workplace office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, and photocopiers. Frequent near vision use for reading and computer work. Typical office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am- 4:00pm, but the job requires evening and weekend availability as the workload dictates.

Travel

This position requires travel within 16 county service area, including travel to training and meetings outside of service area of East Central Illinois.

Required Education and Experience

·         A Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university. 

·         Knowledge of State and Federal laws, regulations and rules regulating nursing homes and the laws and standards pertaining to Managed-Care organizations.

·         Excellent decision-making and communication skills.

·         A high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive, adversarial, and confidential situations.

·         Ability to disclose any potential conflict of interest as defined in the Older Americans Act, Section 712(a)(5)(C) and (f); 89 Illinois Administrative Code 270.110(c), 270.130.

·         Experience with a variety of software programs, e-mail, and web-based systems and ability to learn the Agency’s Information Systems.

·         An understanding of the needs of older adults.

·         Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

·         Effective problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

·         Ability to carry out responsibilities with self-initiative and work under general supervision.

Preferred Education and Experience

·         Experience with Microsoft Office and Outlook.

·         Experience working with older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

·         Valid driver’s license is required.

·         Availability to travel for day/evening meetings and weekend events, including training and professional development.

·         Passage of criminal background investigation.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Subject to the Older Americans Act, as amended, and the requirements of the merit employment system, preference shall be given to individuals age 60 or older for any staff positions in the Agency (excluding sub-grantees and contractors) for which such individuals qualify.

A qualified candidate must satisfactorily complete training requirements and be recommended to the Illinois Department on Aging by the Regional Ombudsman. Must be approved by State Ombudsman to be placed on the Representative Registry as a Certified Ombudsman.

AAP/EEO Statement

The East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging provides employment opportunities and equal participation to all employees, volunteers, and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, ancestry, marital status, physical or mental handicap, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected classification. The Agency does not discriminate in treatment of employment in programs or activities in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act; the U.S. Civil Rights Act, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Illinois Personnel Record Review Act; applicable rules and regulations pursuant thereto; the Constitution of the United States; the Illinois Constitution; and all other applicable laws and regulations.

Other Duties

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to the position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of the position. Some aspects of the position may change over time, according to business needs, and these changes may not be recorded immediately.