Ombudsman Coordinator (#RS7045)
$33.02-$40.14 Hourly / $5,723.41-$6,956.84 Monthly / $68,680.95-$83,482.13 Yearly

Under direction, performs responsible technical and professional social work and supervisory work in managing an ombudsman program for residents of long term care facilities; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

The incumbent of this single position class supervises professional social work and volunteer staff who investigate allegations of inappropriate care, abuse and fraud involving patients in convalescent hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other long term care facilities. The incumbent exercises independent judgment and action in establishing and implementing policies, procedures and protocols for investigations and in assigning and reviewing investigations and personally performs the most difficult, complex or sensitive investigations.

• Recruits, selects, trains and supervises volunteer ombudsmen; plans, assigns and directs volunteer and social work staff who conduct investigation of abuse, poor care or financial fraud; personally performs most complex or sensitive investigations; reviews findings; determines merit of allegation, implements resolution or refers to appropriate law enforcement or licensing agency.
• Develops and implements educational and outreach programs to advertise services, and recruit volunteers; addresses public groups and organizations; attends facility meetings and provides training to facility staff.
• Coordinates services with public and private programs and agencies; develops agreements regarding service delivery and responsibilities to assure non-duplication of effort and coordination of services.
• Develops and monitors program budget; ensures expenditures are properly allocated and reported; ensures compliance with funding source requirements.
• Evaluates programs, policies, procedures and protocols; recommends development or modification of policies and procedures to meet regulatory or funding source requirements or improve service delivery.
• Serves as liaison to and advisor to advisory council, community members, state and local agencies; participates on committees and task forces; attends meetings; represents agency at the state and local level.
• Maintains fiscal and program records; prepares correspondence and reports.

Education: Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, social or behavioral sciences, public or business administration, or related field.

Experience: Three years progressively responsible social casework or counseling, including a minimum of one year working with frail or vulnerable adults or with institutionalized clients.

License: Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Principles and practices of supervision and training; applicable laws and regulations regarding care and treatment of residents of facilities; principles and practices of social casework; methods and techniques of interview and investigation; goals of public assistance agencies; principles of gathering and analyzing information; techniques for preparing correspondence and reports.

Plan, organize and evaluate the work of others; interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, including elderly or fragile clients and facility staff; investigate and resolve complaints.

Mobility-Ability to sit for long periods, move about an office, reach above and below desk level; Dexterity-Sufficient to operate a key board; handle individual papers; write and take notes; Lifting-Occasional lifting of papers, files, equipment and material weighing up to 25 pounds; Visual Requirements-Ability read case files and computer screens and do close-up work; Hearing/Talking-Ability to hear normal speech, hear on the telephone, talk in person, and talk on the telephone; Emotional/Psychological Factors-Exposed to trauma and grief; frequent public contact; ability to make decisions and concentrate, ability to work nights and overtime.