The Long-Term Care Ombudsperson works toward improving the quality of care, life, and environment in long-term care facilities while protecting the rights, benefits,  and entitlements of each resident. After certification training, Volunteer Ombudspeople visit and listen to residents' concerns as well as problem-solve. Many residents of long-term care facilities sometimes have little or no contact with the outside world and some have few visitors. An Ombudsperson volunteer who visits regularly can make a huge difference in the quality of life of a resident.

The Volunteer Ombudsperson is responsible for:

• Attending and successfully completing state certification and recertification training

• Visiting assigned Long Term-Care facility(s) weekly and completing monthly reports in a timely manner

• Advocating to improve the quality of life, care and environment in all Long-Term Care facilities

• Providing information and referrals to residents, families, and Long-Term Care facilities

• Attending monthly Volunteer Ombudsperson meetings

Skills/ Experience

• Good Listening Skills: Attentive and empathetic to residents’ needs.

• Compassion: Demonstrates care and concern for maintaining quality of life for residents.

• Reliable Transportation: Able to travel to and from Long-Term Care facilities.

• Commitment: Willing to commit to the program for 2 years. This role has a 2–4-hour monthly commitment for visits to facilities.

• Trustworthiness: Capable of building and maintaining trustworthy relationships with residents and can maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.

• Training and Certification: Completes training with the Program Manager to become State Certified.

• The Ombudsperson should be sensitive to the needs of residents in Long-Term Care facilities; be committed to the goals and objectives of the Ombudsperson Program; have the ability to express oneself orally and in writing; be able to assess and judge situations of concern in an impartial way; and work in a confidential manner.