State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, this class is accountable for providing advocacy services to represent the interests of and resolve problems for residents of long term care facilities and serve as a focal point for community advocacy on behalf of residents.

Works under the general supervision of the State Long Term Care Ombudsperson.

Supervises office support, volunteer resident advocates and other program volunteers.

Provides regional advocacy services for residents of long term care facilities in accordance with policies established by agency and State Long Term Care Ombudsperson; identifies, investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long term care facilities; advocates on behalf of long term care residents to resolve problems; represents residents’ interests before governmental agencies and legislature in consultation with State Long Term Care Ombudsperson; seeks administrative, legal and other remedies to protect residents’ interests; analyzes, comments on, monitors and supports public participation in development and implementation of federal, state and local laws related to long term care services; directs activities of regional volunteer resident advocate program; recruits, trains, assigns and supervises volunteer staff; speaks before groups regarding volunteer services and program goals and objectives; prepares and conducts public education programs and in-service training program for resident care staff; maintains relationships with agencies which can assist residents; supports development of resident and family councils; directs or performs collection, management and analysis of program data and information to identify trends in residents’ needs and issues where broader statewide program initiatives, advocacy or management are needed; completes written evaluations of all cases; maintains records; generates reports; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of the aging process; knowledge of and ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of problems of the aged and/or disabled residing in community and long term care facilities; knowledge of community resources and agencies dealing with problems of the elderly and disabled; knowledge of training methods and techniques; knowledge of volunteer management theory; knowledge of public relations principles and practices; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to negotiate problem resolutions for clients and assist clients to speak for their own interests; ability to recruit, select, train, supervise and support volunteers and evaluate staff and volunteer performance; ability to coordinate activities of a regional program; ability to identify trends in client needs through review of program data and identify issues where broader program initiatives and advocacy are needed; ability to provide training and technical assistance; supervisory ability.

Six (6) years of professional experience providing services to the elderly or persons with disabilities.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the provision of advocacy services.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in counseling, gerontology, nursing or social work may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Incumbents in this class are required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some communicable and/or infectious diseases and disagreeable conditions while investigating complaints.

Classified/Competitive

(33)-Social Services

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

(2)-Professional

FP 23

This replaces the existing title of and specification for the class of Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman (40 Hour) in Salary Group FP 23 approved effective October 1, 2019. (Revised to retitle and modify content) Final No. 22-137

10/21/2022