POSITION TITLE:  Social Service Advocate Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program - Riverside and Coachella Valley

FSLA CATEGORY: Non-Exempt

JOB TYPE: Part-Time/ Full-Time-Hybrid Remote

Serious applicants must not be currently working or have worked in a skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility, or board and care facility within the past 12 months.

PURPOSE:  To investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents living in nursing and residential care homes. To provide advocacy and mediation to ensure that resident rights and quality of life are maintained or improved.

REPORTING TO: Long Term Care Ombudsman Director

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Residents living in nursing and residential care homes.

RESPONSIBILITIES & JOB FUNCTIONS (including but not limited to):

· Provide education, advocacy, and mediation to ensure that rights of residents residing in long-term care facilities are maintained.

· Identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents living in nursing and residential care homes.

· Conduct regular, unannounced visits to residents in long-term care facilities.

· Ability to successfully navigate case management tasks, conduct thorough investigations, and accurately document activities in a timely manner.

· Maintain professional objective relationships with nursing and board & care personnel through regular visits to each facility within an assigned area. Ensure resident advocacy is never compromised and perception of objectivity is consistently maintained.

· Attend monthly staff meetings and participate in ongoing training.

· Consistently use COASC authorized communication systems to ensure confidentiality and professional practices.

· Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor’s degree in social work, social services, gerontology, human services, or a related field.  

· Minimum of three (3) years related experience in long-term care advocacy, gerontology, health care, mediation, social services, conflict resolution or related area.

· Certified as a State Long-Term Care Ombudsman or the ability to successfully complete the 36- hour State Certified Long Term Care Ombudsman training.

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with residents, families, facility staff and community partners.

· Proven experience in providing direct services in social services or a related field, with prior responsibilities in case management, client advocacy or similar area assisting the older adult population.

· Bi-Lingual language skills in Spanish are a plus.

· Strong desire and/or experience in working with the older adult population.

· Highly skilled and effective in communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and maintaining professional relationships.

· Proven ability to manage time and projects successfully.

· Ability and willingness to make presentations to small groups.

· Ability to travel within designated areas of Riverside County at least 60% of the time.

· A valid California driver’s license, auto insurance, and personal vehicle.

· Submit to and successfully complete LiveScan Fingerprinting background check. 

· Proficient in current office equipment and practices including Microsoft Office

· Proof of negative TB status.

· Proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Note: Ombudsmen are by law, prohibited from employment in a long-term care facility or from having any financial interest in a long-term care facility during the time they are acting in an Ombudsman capacity. An Ombudsman will be required to sign the Conflict of Interest policy prior to commencing any assignments.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform this job.

While performing the duties of this job the employee will be required to sit for periods of time.  Standing, walking and bending are required movements. The employee will occasionally need to lift approximately 20 lbs.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The ability to transport oneself to needed appointments with reliable transportation is required. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: 

The Council on Aging – Southern California is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status.