King County LTC Volunteer Ombudsman

As a Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman, you will play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-being of residents in long-term care facilities, including Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, and Adult Family Homes. This volunteer position is both rewarding and impactful, allowing you to make a positive change in the lives of those who need it the most. For additional information about the role of an ombudsman, please watch this short video.

Responsibilities:

What is a long-term care ombudsman?  

1. At least weekly, visit with residents living in the assigned long-term care facility. More frequent visits are desirable and important.
2. Provide individual information to residents living in the assigned long-term care facility about their rights, community services available to them, laws, regulations, and standards that govern long-term care facilities, and good health and safety practice.
3. When a resident living in the assigned long-term care facility complains or otherwise discusses a violation of their rights, a law, regulation, or standard: Obtain the resident’s consent to discuss the complaint with the service provider,
4. Review records, etc., if needed to investigate the complaint.
5. Determine the facts of the alleged violation.
6. Make a determination that the complaint was/was not founded.
7. When the complaint is founded, work with the resident and service provider to resolve the complaint.
8. When the complaint is not resolved, refer to the complaint, together with all documentation, to the Regional Long-Term Care Ombuds under whose direction you work. With the resident’s consent, refer the complaint to the appropriate regulatory agency if necessary.
9. Assist residents living in the assigned long-term care facility and their families and friends to become more actively involved in their care and treatment by assisting in developing and participating in resident councils and family support groups.
10. Attend monthly in-service training sessions.
11. Submit monthly activity reports.
12. Assist in developing Resident and Family Councils.

Requirements:

• Volunteer candidates must be at least 18 years or older with reliable transportation.
• A sincere interest in promoting the well-being and protecting the rights of people in long-term care.
• An ability to work cooperatively with the people who live in long-term care facilities, the Regional Long-Term Care Ombuds, and long-term care providers.
• Ability to discover facts that result in complaints and impartially and objectively determine whether complaints are founded or unfounded.
• Acceptance of, and adherence to, the Volunteer Ombuds Code of Ethics and Standards.
• The successful completion of the Washington State Long-Term Care Volunteer Ombudsman Programs Training and the State Ombuds Certification as a volunteer.
• Commitment to provide at least four hours per week of volunteer ombuds service per year, and commitment to follow through on specific complaints once begun, even when the time demands are greater.
• Free of conflicts of interest as outlined in WAC 365-18-040