Wise & Healthy Aging has an exciting new opportunity for a part-time Social Worker Advocate. Our well-established Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, considered a “best practice” program by the California State Ombudsman Office, is searching for motivated, assertive, and energetic individuals to service the territory of a regional office.
I. POSITION SUMMARY:
The Advocate protects the rights and dignity of residents (older adults and adults with disabilities) living in skilled nursing and residential care facilities throughout the County of San Bernardino. This role strives to ensure a high quality of care and quality of life for individuals residing in these facilities by providing advocacy services on their behalf. Such services involve monitoring visits, identifying and investigating complaints by or on residents' behalf, disseminating educational information, and witnessing health care directives.
The advocate also interacts with and establishes workable relationships with long-term care facility administrators and local government entities as necessary. The advocate will be required to travel to the San Bernadino office monthly and as needed for meetings and training. (Note: Eligible staff must not have worked at an LTC facility within one year of employment at Wise & Healthy Aging.)
II. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Provide continuing community presence through unannounced visits to long-term care facilities.
B. Identify, investigate, and resolve complaints, including alleged elder and dependent adult abuse, using a resident-centered approach.
C. Travel (up to 60% time) by personal vehicle to various long-term care facilities and hospitals.
D. Travel to one of the regional offices (Victorville or San Bernadino) for weekly in-person check-ins.
E. Provide information and consultation to individuals and facility staff.
F. Attend Resident and Family Council meetings.
G. Participate in the nursing home survey process.
H. Assure and monitor appropriate placement of the current Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman poster in all skilled nursing and residential care facilities.
I. Compile and report statistical data conforming with established policies and procedures, including mastering the Ombudsman Data Integration Network (ODIN).
J. Complete all documentation (cases, consults, visits, etc.) in ODIN completely and promptly. Documentation must be entered daily, free of typographical errors, and written in a tone that is professional and free of judgment.
K. Attempting/witnessing advance health care directives for residents in SNFs following state guidelines.
L. Follow consent and confidentiality procedures.
M. Report significant trends, including practices of poor care and cases of suspected elder and dependent adult abuse, to the Director regularly.
N. Attend monthly in-person meetings at the San Bernadino office as required.
O. Retrieve and follow up on phone messages, e-mails, and faxes received at the office within 48 hours and follow the policies and procedures.
P. In cases of long-term care facility closures, maintain daily contact with the Director.
Q. Working from home requires a confidential and quiet space free from distractions. All documentation must be secured and returned to the office and no confidential information may be maintained at home.
R. Working from a public space, like a coffee shop, library, etc., is prohibited. Working from a public Wi-Fi is not permitted.
III. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Ability to travel during the day throughout the assigned regional territory up to 60% of the time, conducting visits to long-term care facilities. (A valid driver’s license and Insurance are required).
2. Ability to conduct in-person preliminary investigations of reports of alleged elder and dependent adult abuse where the Ombudsman Program has jurisdiction.
3. Compile and accurately report statistical data using the Ombudsman Data Integration Network (ODIN) in conformance with established policies and procedures and close cases in a timely manner per office guidelines.
4. Follow stated policies and procedures in the State LTC Ombudsman Core Curriculum and other sources.
IV. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
Due to changing program demands, funding source expectations, and agency policy changes, all staff may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.
V. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
A. Educational Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree in social work, gerontology, human services, or a related field is required. Master’s degree in social work, gerontology, public health, or related field preferred.
B. Experience
1. Two to five years of related experience (voluntary or paid) in healthcare, gerontology, investigations, mediation, or negotiation required.
2. Demonstrated experience performing direct service in social services or a related field. Experience in handling case management, client advocacy, or therapy involving vulnerable populations, particularly older adults.
3. Professional knowledge of gerontology, social science, business, medicine, negotiation, health care delivery, long-term care, or advocacy.
C. Bilingual Language
Ability to speak, read, and write in a second language (besides English) is preferred.
D. Other Requirements
a. Must not have worked at a long-term care facility within the past year.
b. Successful completion of State Ombudsman Certification training. Meet annual State recertification requirements.
c. Ability to travel via personal vehicle throughout San Bernardino County/City. A valid driver’s license and up-to-date automobile insurance are required for continued employment.
d. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
e. Excellent organizational and telephone skills.
f. Ability to interface/relate well with all levels of staff and with the public.
g. Ensure that field offices are secure when leaving the premises.
h. Clear Livescan background check is required throughout employment and as a requirement for continued employment.
i. Being clear of conflicts of interest throughout employment (e.g., can’t work or volunteer at a long-term care facility, hospice, etc.).
VI. WORK ENVIRONMENT
1. During field visits, the employee may enter premises that may be environmentally challenging, including, but not limited to, environments with cigarette smoke, bed bugs, dust, and other allergens. The employee will also enter long-term care facilities and interact with clients who may have COVID-19.
2. The position is hybrid and based in a field/regional office of Wise & Healthy Aging. The agency is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
3. The employee will be expected to ensure that field offices are secure when leaving the premises.
4. The employee may be expected to maintain office equipment.
If you want to join a great team, we offer a competitive salary and an exceptional benefits package. For employees who regularly work 30 or more hours per week, benefits include 80% company-paid medical, 100% company-paid dental, life, and vision (optional), a 401(k) plan with a competitive employer match, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 14 paid holidays, and a generous paid time off (PTO) plan.
