Long Term Care Ombudsman (Systemic Advocacy)

POSITION: The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP) is seeking applicants for an Assistant State Long Term Care Ombudsman to focus on systemic advocacy.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP) is authorized under state and federal law to advocate for residents of nursing homes, homes for the aged, and adult foster care homes and to seek systemic changes that benefit long term care consumers.  In addition to the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program staff, 25 local long term care ombudsman staff, who are housed in local host agencies, work throughout the state to address the needs of long term care residents in their regions.  The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is housed at the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI), a legal services organization that advocates for low income older adults and people with disabilities on issues related to healthcare, benefits, long term care, elder abuse and individual rights.

MEJI is part of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to Michigan’s low-income residents, Michigan’s immigrant communities, and seniors through several statewide programs. MSAS is administered by the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP).

Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP) is founded on the belief that equal justice is a right, not a privilege. MAP’s mission is to advance the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems by increasing access to justice and working for systemic solutions. MAP is committed to anti-racism in all aspects of our work and has an active Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Visit miadvocacy.org for more information.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Assistant State Long Term Care Ombudsman (ASLTCO) is a full time position and will provide critically important representation of the program and those we serve through various activities and duties.

The ASLTCO through systemic advocacy will identify, monitor, and respond to legislative and regulatory changes with the potential to positively or negatively impact long term care residents including preparing written responses to and providing testimony on proposed changes. The ASLTCO may work in collaboration with the MLTCOP Systemic Advocacy Attorney on projects of shared interest to the MLTCOP.

At the direction of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman, the ASLCO will represent the program on task forces, boards, advisory committees and other public forums and collaborate with allies on issues affecting those served by the MLTCOP.

The ASLTCO will provide support and coordination to a state-wide resident council including preparing meeting notices, hosting virtual meetings, and offering support to facilitate the meetings.  At the direction of the council, the ASLTCO may coordinate guest speakers for council meetings, arrange for members to provide testimony or feedback on legislation or proposed policy changes, or connect council members with the media for special interest stories or investigative reports.

The ASLTCO will coordinate the MLTCOP culture change efforts through monthly meetings of interested residents, providers, ombudsmen, surveyors, and other parties. This will include at a minimum the development of the agenda, coordination with guest speakers, maintenance of minutes from the meetings, and distribution of best practices identified by the culture change members.   

The ASLTCO will investigate concerns brought before the program related to local or volunteer ombudsmen in accordance with program policies and procedures.

The ASLTCO will also offer support to the ASLTCO for Quality Assurance with volunteer recruitment and management, community education, and staff training.

Other tasks as assigned by the State Long Term Care Ombudsman.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Applicants must be skilled in use of Microsoft programs (namely Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher), Google Drive, Zoom, Adobe and be comfortable using technology generally. Applicants must possess excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills and can work both independently and as a part of a team. Applicants must understand and apply statutory and regulatory provision to provide analysis including impact assessment of proposed regulatory and legislative changes. Applicants must have excellent attention to detail, great time management skills, and an ability to be flexible while working on multiple tasks at once. Applicants must be comfortable representing the MLTCOP in public forums and before the legislative body. Applicants must have reliable transportation and the ability, when necessary, to travel across the state.  A Bachelor’s Degree or commensurate educational and professional experience in the field of health care, public policy, long term care, human services, social work or a related field is required.  Long term care ombudsman experience is strongly preferred.

BENEFITS: This is a full-time position with a salary starting at $60,000 based on years of relevant experience. MAP offers a generous benefits package including life, short- and long-term disability, health, vision, dental and flexible spending accounts. If an applicant does not require health benefits, they have the option to take an annual $1,500 payout in addition to the base salary paid over the course of the year. MAP also has a generous leave policy allowing staff to accrue 3 weeks paid vacation the first year and 15 paid holidays, as well as a 401K retirement plan including employer match for eligible staff after 6 months of employment. MAP is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

TO APPLY:  Please complete this application and submit your resume and cover letter. You can also access the application by copying and pasting the following web address into your browser: https://miadvocacy.bamboohr.com/careers/179. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

MSAS/MLTCOP is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.