Now Hiring - Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Lumber River Council of Governments, a regional planning and service agency serving Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties, is seeking a Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman is responsible for a variety of programmatic and operational and administrative activities associated with the overall operation of the Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This position will assume primary responsibilities for advocating on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities including skilled nursing, adult care and family care homes. The position requires a bachelor degree in social work, human services, or related field; or an equivalent combination of experience or training required.  Prefer master degree in social work, human services, or related field. Minimum of one-year experience in providing services to the aging or residents in long-term care facilities. Valid driver’s license required. Cover letter, employment application, and resume should be submitted to:  Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Position, Lumber River Council of Governments, 30 CJ Walker Road, Pembroke, NC 28372 or yci@lrcog.org.  The closing date is 1:00 p.m. on April 5, 2024. Open until filled.  No faxed resumes and/or employment applications will be accepted.  LRCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman is responsible for a variety of programmatic and operational and administrative activities associated with the overall operation of the Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.  This position will assume primary responsibilities for advocating on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities including skilled nursing, adult care and family care homes.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class implements the Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Primary focus of the position is spent on advocating on behalf of residents of skilled nursing, adult care and family care homes to ensure that their individual rights are protected by the facilities. This individual also provides training, technical assistance, and administrative support to Nursing Home, Adult Care Home and Joint Community Advisory Committees.  The employee develops, implements, and expands the community long-term care program and assists in securing policy and regulatory changes needed to benefit the community’s institutionalized elderly and disabled adults.  Program requires the employee to work closely with public and private sector agencies and organizations, which may provide or use services of older and disabled adults.  Employee works under the general supervision of the Aging Program Administrator and is evaluated periodically to determine the success of the programs and services.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Provides information and referral on long-term care (i.e. types of facilities, services available, Residents’ Rights, etc.).

• Receives complaints from Nursing Home, Adult Care Home and Joint Community Advisory Committee members, residents, and residents’ families.  Investigates and attempts to resolve complaints made on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities.

• Maintains records (i.e. committee activities records, complaint investigation records, up-to-date list of long-term care facilities and committee members) in accordance with federal and state law and State Long-Term Care Ombudsman policies and procedures, including procedures to protect the identity, confidentiality, and privacy of long-term care residents.

• Prepares and submit quarterly and annual reports, including compilation and analysis of information, to the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

• Develops interagency agreements between the regional ombudsman program and each county Department of Social Services in the multi-county planning region.

• Establishes effective working relationships with and provides technical assistance to county commissioners, county clerks, county managers, facility administrators and staff, back-up agencies, legal services programs, and other appropriate agencies and individuals involved in long-term care services.

• Implements the ombudsman services section of the Area Agency on Aging plan.

• Conducts in-service training to facility staff upon request, presentations to resident and family council groups, and education on long-term care issues to various audiences.

• Provides education and awareness on elder abuse to long-term care facility staff, aging providers and the general public.

• Provides initial and annual training to Nursing Home, Adult Care Home, and Joint Community Advisory Committees as outlined in the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program policies and procedures at the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services.

• Monitors the activities of Nursing Home, Adult Care Home and Joint Community Advisory Committees to verify that each is performing its role as specified in N.C. General Statutes.

• Conducts, in accordance with federal and state laws, regulations, and policies, other activities related to the protection and dignity of residents of nursing adult care, and family care homes.

• Other duties as assigned.

Recruitment and Selective Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work independently;

• Possess good decision making skills; organizational skills, critical thinking and analytical skills.

• Ability to work extended schedules when necessary.

• Ability to work cooperatively under pressure and to meet deadlines. 

• Knowledge of human services programs and specific aging services at federal, state, and local levels.

• Knowledge of available public and private resources and their general use in aging programs.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of health programs and healthcare systems.

• Ability to plan, direct, and supervise program activities and participants.

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the general public and with federal, state, and local personnel.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form.

• Ability to effectively but informally use techniques of mediation, reconciliation, and persuasion between two parties.

• Knowledge of office procedures and office equipment.

• Knowledge of computer hardware, software and peripherals.

• Considerable knowledge of spelling, grammar, and vocabulary.

• Knowledge and ability to create and process a variety of memos, letters, and reports with minimum assistance.

Physical Requirements

• Position should possess the ability to perform climbing, stooping, walking, fingering, grasping, talking (including presentations to groups of individuals), and hearing.

• Position should possess the ability to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.

• Position should possess the ability to perform visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, view a computer terminal, and excessive reading.

• Position should have the ability to be subject to inside environmental conditions involving temperature changes and to atmospheric conditions that may involve fumes, odors, dusts or mists.

Desirable Education and Experience

Bachelor degree in social work, human services, or related field; or an equivalent combination of experience or training required.  Prefer master degree in social work, human services, or related field. Minimum of one-year experience in providing services to the aging or residents in long-term care facilities.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Candidate must also successfully complete certification requirements of the state.