PART LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN

Position:
The long-term care ombudsman serves as an advocate for long term care consumers by handling complaints and educating residents and families about their rights. This part time position reports to CARIE’s Program Manager. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is under contract with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. The program covers 18 nursing homes, 43 licensed personal care homes, 75 Domiciliary Care Homes and 13 Older Adult Daily Living Centers in North Central, Center City, West, and South Philadelphia.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Investigate and resolve complaints made by and on behalf of residents in long term care settings
• Respond to calls providing information and advocacy about issues regarding long term care consumers
• Attend and participate in resident/participant meetings and family meetings in long term care settings
• Make regular visits to long term care facilities to observe facilities, talk to consumers, staff/consumer interaction, check for safety, cleanliness, etc.
• Respond to requests for assistance and in-services for staff
• Support volunteer ombudsman and PEER (Pennsylvania’s Empowered Expert Residents) program as needed
• Analyze public policy affecting long-term care services and assist in developing comments
• Provide information about long term care issues to the community through speaking engagements, on-going involvement with other organizations, hearings, etc.
• Represent CARIE and the Ombudsman Program on committees and workgroups
• Attend CARIE staff meetings and committees as assigned, attend regional ombudsman meetings and required trainings
• Write occasional reports, articles, or other materials
• Review literature (reports, articles, studies, etc.) on a regular basis to stay   current on long term care issues
• Maintain documentation in ombudsman database
• Other related duties as assigned

Educational/Experience/Skill Requirements:

Bachelor degree in Social Work or related field

• Motivation to advocate on behalf of long term care consumers and a willingness to learn
• Experience in and/or knowledge of aging policy, resources for older persons and their caregivers, and the long term care system
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Willingness to attend mandatory training outside of Philadelphia
• Willingness to travel throughout the city of Philadelphia using public transportation and flexibility to work occasional evening and weekend hours
• Ability to remain objective and impartial while investigating complaints
• Public speaking/training expertise

Required Screening:

• Criminal Background Check
• Professional References

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Must work well under pressure and have the ability to be creative and analytical
• Must be able to use public transportation to travel to North Central, Center City, West, and South Philadelphia
• Must be observant and able to attend to details of environment while visiting long term care settings
• Must be able to walk up stairs
• Must be able to operate office equipment including but not limited to computer, telephone, fax, copier; move freely around the office; sit or stand at a desk and telephone for long periods of time; communicate in person and over the telephone with individuals and groups
• Availability for occasional work outside of normal office hours
• Some lifting of 10-20 pounds may be necessary

An Ombudsman must be free of conflict of interest and cannot be employed by, have an ownership interest in, or be involved in the management of a long term care facility while employed as a long-term care ombudsman.

 Compensation:

Excellent benefits, and out-of-pocket expense reimbursement for travel related to the job. This position is exempt from overtime compensation.

Send Resume and cover letter including salary requirements to:

Lori Walsh, Program Manager

[email protected]

215 545 5372 fax

No calls please

CARIE is an Equal Opportunity Employer