Indera is looking for an Ombudsman Program Coordinator
ARISE/EFR partners with people with disabilities to advance independence and remove barriers through advocacy and services so every person has the freedom to pursue the life they choose.
Job Summary:
The Ombudsman Program Coordinator will be responsible for providing federally guaranteed advocacy services to residents of skilled nursing facilities and/or Assisted Living facilities within their assigned regions.
Qualifications
Essential Functions:
- Provide regular and ongoing presence of ombudsman advocacy in supported long term care facilities
- Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with facilities’ administrations and meet with staff as needed
- Participate in and mediate Care Plan meetings to advocate for specific resident’s needs.
- Document all casework with appropriate notes and accurate details.
- Initiate and/or maintain working relationships with agencies and community groups involved in supporting or enforcing quality of life in long term care facilities
- Recruit, screen, interview and provide shadowing opportunities for potential ombudsman volunteers.
- Maintain confidentiality of files and resident information in compliance with policies set forth by the State Long Term Care Ombudsman as well as HIPAA
- Increase public support for long term care residents and awareness of volunteer opportunities by periodically presenting in public forums, such as community speaking engagements, agency fairs, radio/television interviews, etc.
- Be a resource and support for facility Family Council’s.
- Attend monthly Resident Council meetings.
- Maintain Ombudsman certification by obtaining 18 hours of continuing education credits per year.
- Provide education to facility staff (Resident’s Rights, etc.) upon request.
- Maintain working knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to long term care
- Complete New York State mandated ombudsman certification training
- Utilize Peerplace Data Management System to document volunteer and programmatic activity in accordance with the National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS)
- Oversee upkeep and maintenance of regional data in Peerplace and run reports as necessary
- Maintain and regularly update folder of “Frequently Updated Lists and Spreadsheets”
- Attend County Office of Aging meetings monthly
- Uphold policies and procedures
- Exercise sound judgment as a matter of course with holding protected health information and other sensitive information in the strictest of confidence in accordance with ARISE, LTCOP and HIPAA policies
- Other duties as assigned
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, health, public administration, gerontology, law or related fields
- Experience in program management with at least two (2) years of experience of working with seniors and/or individuals with disabilities.
- Three (3) years of experience in the field of human services, with at least one (1) year in the area of aging or long-term care
- Demonstrated commitment to advocacy work, with at least one (1) year experience as an advocate
- Working knowledge of community resources
- Demonstrated professional computer proficiency
- Strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills
- Valid New York State Driver License and reliable transportation
Work location: Syracuse - Onondaga County with travel to Cortland, Cayuga and Oswego as necessary
Hours and days: Monday-Friday 8:00am -4:00pm
Compensation: $20.96 -$23.00 per hour
Non -Exempt
40 hours per week, including one-hour paid lunch
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in social work, health, public administration, gerontology, law, or a related field
- At least two years of program management experience working with seniors and/or individuals with disabilities
- Three years of experience in human services, including at least one year in aging or long-term care
- At least one year of advocacy experience and demonstrated commitment to advocacy work
- Working knowledge of community resources
- Professional computer proficiency
- Strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills
- Valid New York State driver's license and reliable transportation
- Completion of New York State mandated ombudsman certification training
- Maintain ombudsman certification through 18 hours of continuing education annually
What We Do
ARISE – Exceptional Family Resources is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and families with disabilities. Based in Syracuse, New York, it provides a comprehensive range of advocacy and disability services, including respite care, family support, and community integration. Its mission is to foster independence and self-advocacy, enhancing the quality of life and ensuring full inclusion for those they serve.
