Aging Services ... options and opportunities for your generation

Description:

The Salt Lake County Ombudsman Program provides help to adults (60 years of age and older) who are living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The Ombudsman Program receives and investigates complaints concerning resident's quality of life and care. We work to resolve problems through mediation, education, and working with other state agencies responsible for enforcement.

Volunteer Opportunities:

1. Non-Certifiied Ombudsman: A great starting position.

• Requirements:
  1. Complete extensive screening process
  2. Complete volunteer orientation and training (12 -  20 hours)
  3. Reliability
  4. Ability to set healthy, professional boundaries
  5. Excellent communication skills & enjoy working with seniors
  6. No conflict of interest (i.e, you can't work in nursing homes and volunteer).
• Commitment:
1. 4 month minimum commitment 
2. Average 2 - 4 hours a week after completing training
3. Attend inservice meetings quarterly
4. Complete paperwork in a timely manner, report to staff weekly

2. Certified Ombudsman: Become certified by the State of Utah as a Long-term Care Ombudsman after you have completed 4 months as a non-certified ombudsman.

• Requirements:
  1. Complete extensive screening process
  2. Complete State Certification Training including classroom and on-the-job training (min. 70 hours)
  3. Reliability
  4. Ability to be objective, assertive, and maintain professional boundaries
  5. Excellent communication and negotiation skills
  6. No conflict of interest
• Commitment:
  1. 1 year minimum commitment
  2. A minimum of 4 hours a week, following training process
  3. Receive a minimum of 24 hours on-going training annually to maintain certification
  4. Attend Roundtable and Case Conference meetings and report weekly
  5. Attend bi-annual State Training event 
  6. Complete paperwork in a timely manner

3. Office Support: Provide clerical assistance to Program Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator by answering phone calls, data entry, prepare monthly mailings, filing, putting together training manuals, editing newsletter, etc.

• Requirements:
  1. Ability to operate general office equipment
  2. Computer literate
  3. Good telephone skills
  4. Complete screening and training
• Commitment:
  1. 1 year minimum commitment
  2. A minimum of 4 hours a week

4. Additional volunteer staff positions include: Training Specialist, Recruitment Committee member, Conference Committee member, etc.

Contact Person: Laura Smith, 2001 South State Street, S1500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84190. Telephone (801) 468-2853, Fax (801) 468-2852, E-Mail: lrsmith@slco.org

Training Dates vary depending on the volunteer position. Contact Laura Smith for more information.

• Volunteer now!