- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
Ombudsman Volunteer- Las Cruces or Surrounding
ORGANIZATION: NM State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Please visit the new page to apply.
- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
A resident's best life might need you in it. The New Mexico Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) advocates for and alongside residents for the recognition, respect, and enforcement of the civil and human rights of residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, often providing a voice for individuals living in long-term care (LTC) facilities who might otherwise go unheard.
Ombudsman Volunteers spend time getting to know residents and how residents would like them to help. They are strong advocates and promote the additional rights individuals have in a facility -- resident rights, designed to protect residents and improve their quality of life. Armed with knowledge of these rights and the support of the entire Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, volunteers are able to carry hope for others that their concerns will be resolved and their dignity can be maintained.
Responsibilities
- Spend 3 hours/week getting to know residents living in an LTC facility near you.
- Advocate the long-term care residents' desired outcomes, which is not always what is in their best interest
- Maintain strict confidentiality, as LTC Ombudsman are not mandatory reporters and cannot share any information without consent from the resident or their surrogate decision maker
- Fully represent LTCOP, but only when designated by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to do so
- Obtain residents’ or surrogate’s permission for actions taken including visits, advocacy, and investigation or communication of issues or concerns
- Ensure timely and accurate documentation of services
- Build and maintains positive working relationships with the residents and their providers, case managers, social workers, etc. from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
- With the resident’s permission, work cooperatively with the appropriate state health oversight agencies
- Follow all provisions of state and federal regulations for the LTCOP
Qualifications
- Understand that long-term care impacts everyone
- Committed to the spirit of getting things done
- Committed to making a contribution to your community
- Resourceful; don't take no for an answer
- Accept challenges on behalf of others
- Carry hope for residents for the resolution to problems
More opportunities with NM State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About NM State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Location:
2550 CERRILLOS RD, Santa Fe, NM 87505, US
Mission Statement
The New Mexico Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) advocates alongside and on behalf of residents for the recognition, respect, and enforcement of the civil and human rights of residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, often providing a voice for individuals living in long-term care (LTC) facilities who might otherwise go unheard.
Description
The program was established in 1972 through the Older Americans Act and is federally and state mandated [1] to provide independent oversight and advocacy services to residents in New Mexico’s LTC facilities. The New Mexico State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is appointed by the Governor and independently administers LTCOP from within Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD). A dedicated and highly skilled group of LTCOP ombudsmen staff and certified ombudsman volunteers visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities regularly and help residents in advocating for their rights and the quality of care they deserve. They listen to and investigate complaints from residents, their family and caregivers, and staff at the facility. They work to resolve concerns of which they become aware and help ensure residents receive the quality of care they deserve.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
Multiple locations Las Cruces, NM 88001
DATE POSTED
June 27, 2023
SKILLS
- Advocacy
- Critical Thinking
- People Skills
- Problem Solving
- Relationship Building
- Verbal / Written Communication
GOOD FOR
- Teens
- People 55+
- Group
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Initial 2 day training. 20 hours of shadowing. Then 3 hours/week of independent advocacy.