Long Term Care Ombudsman

AARP • Washington, DC

15d • Hybrid

About The Position

AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable Washington, D.C. seniors 60-plus, providing free legal and social work services to those in need — empowering, defending, protecting, and helping thousands of clients each year in many areas of civil law.
The Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman assists in the execution of federal, state, and local (District of Columbia) advocacy goals and objectives on behalf of older adults and persons with disabilities receiving long-term care services and support, as outlined by the Older Americans Act (OAA). Works with internal and external partners to achieve these goals. Assists in representing the organization and its interests to external stakeholders, including elected officials of the District of Columbia, District agency leads, and public policy leaders. Engages in outreach and community education activities to promote and protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of long-term care residents. Supports volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement strategies.

Requirements

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Gerontology, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health Administration, or a related discipline.
• 4 years of experience working with or on behalf of older adults or persons with mental or physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, or an equivalent combination of training and advocacy experience related to the duties of the position.
• A Master’s degree in one of the above-mentioned fields may be substituted for two years of experience.
• Must have reliable, insured transportation and possess a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to use a personal vehicle for local travel (up to 60%) and be available for occasional national travel.
• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of District and federal regulatory systems as they relate to older adults and persons with disabilities and federal benefits programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and SSA, is a plus.
• Experience in mediation, complaint handling, problem solving, data analysis, legislative or systems advocacy, training, and excellent written/oral communication skills is also a plus.

Responsibilities

• Works with internal and external stakeholders to assist in the execution of advocacy strategies.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders across the enterprise to develop strategies that further the objectives of the Older Americans Act (OAA).
• Identifies and disseminates information and materials that promote the program’s advocacy agenda.
• Manages stakeholder relationships by responding to requests for information and assistance from the public, care recipients, caregivers, community organizations, and elected officials about the Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman Program, aging, and long-term care and public benefits-related services and supports.
• Advocates for, and monitors the development and implementation and enforcement of laws to enhance quality-of-care and quality-of-life issues that affect residents receiving Long-Term Senior Services (LTSS) in long-term care facilities and in the community.
• Upholds and advances the organization’s reputation as a credible, non-partisan expert and advocate of the LTC population, particularly for the elderly and persons with physical disabilities.
• Investigates and resolves complaints on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities (i.e., nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and community residential facilities) and persons living in the community receiving services under the Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) Medicaid waiver, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as program policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with regulatory agencies to ensure enforcement action, as appropriate.
• Develops, conducts, and evaluates training and educational presentations for the public, care recipients, providers, government agencies, aging network stakeholder groups, and ombudsman staff and volunteers regarding ombudsman services and long-term care and elder rights issues.
• Assists with the development and distribution of consumer education materials.
• Makes use of all appropriate platforms to target and engage stakeholders, including resident and family groups to build support for the organization’s priorities.
• Works collaboratively with the program’s leadership to recruit, train, develop, and deploy volunteers in accordance with the organization’s goals.
• Helps ensure alignment of volunteers’ interests with organizational priorities.
• Supports volunteer needs and helps design opportunities to maximize volunteer engagement.
• Collects and analyzes data to evaluate the progress and effectiveness of volunteers’ engagement and advocacy activities.
• Coordinates with the program’s leadership to recommend and assist with educational and advocacy event logistics, planning, coordination, and execution.
• Strategically communicates, throughout the organization and externally, to raise awareness of the program objectives and the program’s impact in the community.
• Develops and engages in new and existing partnerships and collaborations to educate residents, families, providers, and the public about long-term care issues and to garner support for systemic advocacy initiatives.
• Analyzes data to identify complaint trends and make recommendations for advocacy strategies, consumer education, and changes to policies, regulations, and legislation that impact the health, safety, welfare, and rights of older adults and long-term care consumers.
• Supports the organization’s systemic advocacy efforts to improve lives and secure the rights of older adults to achieve the mission of the LCE and AARP.
• Participates on committees and work groups and collaborates with cross-organizational units and government agencies to address issues concerning the health, safety, welfare, and rights of older adults and long-term care consumers.

Benefits

• AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level