Library: Policy

340:105-11-249. Area Agency on Aging ombudsman supervisor I

Revised 10-8-24

(a) Definition. Under the program supervision of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the general direction of the director of an Area Agency on Aging, the ombudsman supervisor I provides leadership in development, coordination, and implementation of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and receives, investigates, and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities.

(b) Examples of duties. Examples of duties include:

(1) recruiting, screening, training, and supervising ombudsman volunteers using guidelines provided by state ombudsman staff;

(2) publicizing the services of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and issues affecting older residents of long-term care facilities through media releases, public speaking, and other means;

(3) coordinating with state ombudsman staff in complaint investigation and resolution, identifying priority issues, and certifying new ombudsman volunteers;

(4) maintaining confidentiality of files and other information pertaining to complaints and complainants;

(5) keeping the director of the designated area ombudsman entity informed of the current situation and needs at the local level, recommending plans for meeting needs, and advising the director of resources required for their implementation;

(6) being available to residents of long-term care facilities in the planning and service areas (PSA), visiting each facility regularly, and working cooperatively with administrators and staff; and

(7) serving as a consultant to community organizations and agencies on issues and needs affecting older long-term care facility residents, techniques of working with these older people, and the solution of special problems.

(c) Education and experience.  The required education and experience is graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in social work, gerontology, sociology, general social sciences, or a related field including, but not limited to, health care.

(1) The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman may approve a waiver of the education and experience requirement when a position has remained vacant for more than 90-calendar days after the posting of the position and conditions in (A) through (C) of this paragraph apply.

(A) No applications were received from applicants meeting the education and experience requirements.

(B) No applicant with the necessary education and experience has accepted an offer of employment.

(C) The applicant has a combination of education and experience applicable to the provision of ombudsman services.

(2) Anyone hired using a waiver of the education and experience requirement is eligible for the ombudsman supervisor II classification only when (A) or (B) of this paragraph is complete.

(A) Education requirements described in Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:105-11-249(c) are completed.

(B) Two years of service as a long-term care ombudsman are completed and the individual is in good standing with the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office.

(3) Any ombudsman employed as an ombudsman supervisor I prior to this effective date is deemed as eligible for the position.

(d) Salary range.  The comparable job family descriptor for this position is Adult Protective Services Specialist, #H26A. A person in this position may not be hired at a salary more than the midpoint, nor paid more than the maximum of the approved salary range. For the purpose of determining annual salary longevity pay is not considered.