Long Term Care Ombudsman, CARIE

Posted by on January 29, 2012

Long Term Care Ombudsman, CARIE

Posted on: January 18, 2012

Background:

The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, dedicated to improving the quality of life of older adults. CARIE was founded in 1977, primarily as an advocacy organization for the frail elderly. Its initial program, the “CARIE LINE,” quickly became recognized throughout the region as a resource for a wide range of individuals and institutions seeking to resolve elder care issues. Today, the agency’s telephone consultation service is just one aspect of a coordinated array of programs.

Position:

This full time position reports to CARIE’s Ombudsman Coordinator. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCO) is under contract with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. This program covers 20 nursing homes, 67 licensed personal care homes, 75 Domiciliary Care Homes and 13 Older Adult Daily Living Centers in North Central, Center City, West, and South Philadelphia. Ombudsman is a Swedish word meaning “citizen representative.” 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Investigate and resolve complaints made by and on behalf of residents in long term care facilities
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, staff/consumer interaction, check for safety, cleanliness, etc.
Respond to requests for assistance and in-services for staff
Recruit, train and supervise volunteer ombudsman
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

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/s5kb8wKJPn2D/