This full time, non-exempt, position provides advocate services in Lehigh and Northampton Counties and is a trained advocate for consumers of long-term care services. Investigates complaints in the long-term care arena, both facilities and the community.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Receives referrals from RN Supervisor and makes initial contact with referral source within five working days.
- Identifies, investigates and resolves complaints that are made by, or on behalf of, residents; and relate to action, inaction, or decisions, that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of the resident (including the welfare and rights of the residents with respect to the appointment and activities of guardians and representative payee), of providers, or representatives of providers, of long-term care services; public agencies; or health and social service agencies.
- Provide services to assist the residents in protecting the health, safety, welfare and rights of the residents.
- Ensure that the residents have regular and timely access to the services provided through the Office and that the residents and complainants receive timely responses from representatives of the Office to complaints.
- Represent the interests of the residents before governmental agencies and seek administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of the residents.
- Work closely with the Supervisor to monitor the development and implementation of Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and other governmental policies and actions, that pertain to the health, safety, welfare and rights of the residents, with respect to the adequacy of long-term care facilities and services in the State.
- Provide technical support for the development of resident and family councils to protect the well-being and rights of residents.
- Responsible for data and case entry into the Ombudsmanager Program.
- Conducts quality assurance visits to all facilities in the Counties of Lehigh and Northampton at least one time per year and more often as necessary.
- Responsible to assist supervisor with recruitment, retention and training of volunteers for the Volunteer Ombudsman Program.
- Participate in Volunteer Ombudsman meetings and trainings.
- Maintain Ombudsman certification.
- Acquire an in depth knowledge of community resources, and remain updated
- Must speak at public functions anywhere in the Diocese of Allentown, as assigned
Educational Requirements:
-
Bachelors in Social Work or related degree in human services;
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Willingness to work within the guidelines of the Catholic Charities’ mission and Church teachings;
- Aptitude for working with individuals/families and managing difficult situations;
- Skills in client assessment;
- Ability to work well as part of a team and to set and adjust priorities;
- Good communication and organizational skills;
Working conditions:
- Work within Long-Term care facilities and community settings
- Must be willing/able to drive anywhere within the 5 counties of the Diocese of Allentown and on occasion outside of the Diocese of Allentown;
- Must be willing/able to travel to conferences, trainings, etc, when required by supervisor or programmatic needs;
- Must demonstrate respect and professionalism toward all clients in all interactions;
- Normal work hours are Monday through Friday;
- May be required to work evenings weekly to accommodate agency functions and/ or clients’ scheduling needs;
- May be required to work weekends to accommodate agency functions and/ or clients’ scheduling needs;
- May occasionally be required to work additional hours above and beyond regularly scheduled hours.”
- When appropriate, assist clients with transportation, and delivery of material goods
Salary: $33,000 - $37,000
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to:
EMAIL: resumes@allentowndiocese.org
FAX: 610-439-7693
Diocese of Allentown
Office of Human Resources
P.O. Box F
Allentown, PA 18105-1538
EOE M/F/D/V
