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
