Do You Want To Volunteer?
Helping People, Change Lives. Become and advocate for those living in long term care facilities. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program will train you to advocate for these residents, ensuring their rights are protected.
The Ombudsman Program advocates in Veterans Homes across Missouri. Just like the program does in traditional long-term care settings, its mission is to protect and improve the quality of care and quality of life for residents of VA homes through individual and systemic advocacy for and on behalf of veterans. The program is a resident centered advocacy program. The veteran is the program’s client, regardless of the source of the complaint or request for service. The Ombudsman will make every reasonable effort to assist, empower, represent, and advocate on behalf of the veteran.
Ombudsman Volunteer Job Description
Qualifications
- Must be over the age of 18
- Must complete a Family Care Safety Registry and Highway Patrol background check
- Must complete required Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Training
- Must have dependable transportation
- Has not been employed in a LTC facility within the last 12 months or have a member of immediate family working in a facility
- Must not have a family member in the assigned facility
- Be certified and designated as a representative of the program by completing the required training
Responsibilities
- Visit residents in assigned long term care facility or facilities on a regular basis (2-4 hours per week suggested or according to an agreed upon schedule with Regional Coordinator)
- Visit with residents, identifying complaints and concerns
- Educate residents about their rights, community services available to them, laws, regulations and standards governing LTC facilities
- Monitor facilities for the implementation of residents’ rights
- Encourage self -advocacy and interaction between residents, staff and community including resident councils and family support groups
- When a complaint is received by or on behalf of a resident:
- Determine the facts of the complaint
- Determine if the complaint was/was not verified
- Work with the resident and provider to resolve the problem(s)
- Communicate with the nursing home administrator or other designated staff person during each visit
- Acceptance and adherence to the Volunteer Ombudsman Code of Ethics and Standards
- Work cooperatively with residents, the Regional Ombudsman and LTC providers
- Attend Ombudsman Program training sessions
- Attend state-wide Ombudsman Volunteer conferences as able
- Submit monthly activity reports
Skills
- Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in preparing and entering information
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, by phone, computer and in person with contractors, other organizations and clients
- Excellent listening skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Effective organizational skills
- Decision making skills
- Ability to work independently within the framework of the Agency’s established policy.
- Mediation and problem solving skills
- Time management skills
- Possess the ability to work independently
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
A message from State Ombudsman, Jenny Hollandsworth:
Be a Veteran's Advocate
View the brochure to learn more about becoming a Veteran's Advocate
Learn more about the role of a Volunteer Ombudsman
If you know of a veteran who needs an advocate in one of the homes listed below, click on the home to connect with its Regional Ombudsman Coordinator.
