Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman

• Volunteer Ombudsman Signup Form

Certified Volunteer Position Description:

• The mission of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is to advocate for the health, safety, and rights of the residents of Kansas long-term care facilities.
• Each Certified Volunteer Ombudsman has legislative authority to enter a facility, see all residents and staff members and speak with them in private, without witnesses in order to fulfill the program's mission.
• Volunteer Ombudsmen act as a "moral guide" to encourage respect for the principles and laws which the facilities must abide by. They are fact-finders and mediators at the facilities. In addition, Volunteer Ombudsmen help the residents to help themselves and negotiate with facilities to resolve problems satisfactorily.
• The work of a Volunteer Ombudsman is challenging, sometimes frustrating, but always worthwhile. To give a little bit of hope, make those facility visits worthwhile. Because when you are a facility resident, alone, dependent and desperate for some reassurance, a bit of hope can go a long way.

As a Certified Volunteer Ombudsman you will:

• Spend a minimum of approximately three hours each week at an assigned nursing facility near your home
• Ensure that the legal rights of facility residents are being honored
• Visit with residents, and identify concerns
• Encourage self advocacy and interaction among residents and between residents, staff and the community
• Receive, investigate and resolve concerns made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities
• Address concerns with facility staff members
• Identify those concerns which should be immediately referred to your supervising Regional Ombudsman
• Promote respect and rapport between residents, facility staff and the Ombudsman Program
• Report all apparent cases of abuse as required by law
• Maintain confidentiality
• Submit monthly reports

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