Assistant Independent Ombudsman

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Mexia, TX

30d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. The Office of the Independent Ombudsman (OIO) for State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs) is an independent state agency, administratively attached to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The OIO is comprised of a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about the OIO’s mission to serve as an independent and confidential resource that advocates for SSLC residents’ rights, dignity, and respect. Our vision is that OIO’s advocacy enables SSLC residents to lead safe, meaningful, self-determined lives. We are seeking to fill an Assistant Independent Ombudsman position working on-site at one of the state’s 13 SSLCs. The selected candidate will have at least 5 years’ experience providing advocacy and support to people living with disabilities, possess a strong character, demonstrate professionalism, able to work independently and as a team player, and is passionate about serving residents of the state supported living centers. OIO staff are offered the same insurance coverage and other benefits available through HHSC and the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, opportunities for career advancement and more.

Requirements

Knowledge of basic human rights and due process.
Knowledge of State Supported Living Centers.
Skill and ability to work independently and effectively self-manage responsibilities, duties, and tasks.
Skill in advocating for people who have intellectual developmental disabilities.
Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
Skill in organization and time management.
Skill with using computer applications including Word, Outlook, Salesforce, and other technical applications.
Ability to recognize problems, investigate complaints, and facilitate solutions.
Ability to recognize nuance and sort through information with objectivity.
Ability to communicate with people who have trouble expressing their thoughts and opinions.
Ability to be open and responsive to constructive feedback from supervisors and peers.
Ability to use person-centered thinking practices and approaches.
Ability to manage competing priorities.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively in an in-person and virtual team environment.
Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports, and correspondence.
Ability to interpret and evaluate administrative policies and procedures.
Minimum of five years of experience in a position required to ensure high quality of care and services provided to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with major course work in human services or other related field is required, or a Bachelor’s degree to be substituted with commensurate experience on year-to-year basis.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities.
Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All state employees at the State Supported Living Center are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Nice To Haves

Experience working as an advocate preferred.
Experience conducting and/or evaluating completed investigations preferred.
Experience with person-centered thinking practices preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify, initiate, receive, and investigate complaints and concerns regarding residents’ rights, service delivery and facility practices at the SSLC.
Utilize HEARTS, the case management system, to document and track investigation progress, evidence, findings, and recommendations.
Provide and monitor recommendations to address systemic and SSLC service delivery concerns to protect and advocate for residents’ rights.
Manage and facilitate a legislatively mandated audit of the SSLC which the AIO is assigned and serves as an audit team member at other SSLC site visits.
Collect audit data throughout the year and during on-site audits using Salesforce to evaluate: the ratio of direct care employees to residents, the provision and adequacy of training to SSLC employees, and policies, practices, and procedures to ensure each resident is encouraged to exercise their rights, including the right to file a complaint, and the right to due process.
Participate and contribute in workgroups to evaluate and modify audit procedures and tools.
Evaluate the delivery of facility services to residents to ensure their rights are fully observed and protected, and the residents’ perspective, interests and preferences are included in decision making and planning.
Observe and attend Human Rights Committee (HRC), Incident Management (IM), Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), and other meetings to evaluate facility practices and procedures and monitor compliance and adequacy of policy.
Build effective, cooperative working relationships with residents, staff, and family members, and actively involved persons.
Facilitate information sharing and act as an advocate and mediator for issues involving residents, family members, guardians, staff and administration at the SSLC, and other interested parties.
Evaluate the process used by the SSLC to investigate, review, and report an unusual incident or injury to a resident.
Review final incident reports to evaluate how the SSLC investigates incidents an allegation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation (ANE).
The AIO reviews completed incident and ANE investigation reports to evaluate the adequacy and thoroughness of the investigation and makes recommendations to improve facility practices related to injuries/incidents and investigations.
Refer complaints alleging ANE, employee misconduct or possible violation of an ICF standards, and/or alleged criminal offenses to the respective agency.
Conduct outreach, training, and education to promote awareness of the Office.
Provide information and data to aid in the completion of legislative reports.
Assist Senior AIOs in conducting statewide systemic investigations.
Participate and contribute to OIO and professional association conferences, meetings, and workgroups and may conduct research and make presentations.
Make recommendations to OIO leadership about general operations, duties of the office and the role of the ombudsman.
Other duties as assigned.