Job Overview As a Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Sonoma County, California , you will be a vital elder advocate dedicated to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and well-being of residents in long-term care facilities (both seniors and differently abled adults). In this energetic and impactful role, you will serve as a compassionate voice for long-term care residents, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed. Your proactive approach will foster positive change within the community, promote quality of life, and uphold residents' rights through advocacy, education, and collaboration with facility staff and families. This 3/4-time, paid position with pro-rated benefits offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day by championing elder rights and enhancing care standards. Duties Act as a dedicated advocate for residents in long-term care settings by investigating complaints and resolving issues related to resident rights, safety, and quality of care Conduct regular visits to facilities to assess conditions, gather feedback from residents, and identify areas for improvement Encourage and empower residents to participate in addressing their concerns, or speak/act on their behalf at their direction Provide education to residents, families, and facility staff about residents' rights under federal and state regulations such as Medicare and MediCal policies and relevant secions of the Welfare and Institutions / Health and Safety regulatory codes Facilitate communication between residents and facility staff to promote respectful treatment of the resident and resolve conflicts effectively Document all interactions thoroughly through detailed reports, incident logs, and follow-up actions to ensure transparency and accountability Qualifications Excellent communication skills with the ability to listen actively, empathize sincerely, and articulate information clearly—especially when working with vulnerable populations is essential Ability to maintain confidentiality is essential Ability to be comfortable working with people who are in pain (physical or emotional) or have cognitive deficits is essential Ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism while maintaining a positive attitude toward continuous improvement The work involves both autonomy and team collaboration, as well as occasional community outreach. This requires excellent time management and flexibility around scheduling. (We generally do not work weekends) Experience in long-term care settings is helpful, but not required Experience with motivational interviewing and conflict resolution will be helpful Experience in social work, behavioral health, or related fields such as addiction counseling or child welfare would be a plus This position is an excellent opportunity for motivated individuals passionate about the quality of life for seniors and the differently abled who reside in licensed long-term care settings. Join us in creating safer, more respectful environments where seniors feel valued and empowered. We are committed to supporting your professional growth through ongoing training in field work techniques and elder rights education. Your dedication will help shape a community where every resident's voice matters!

Job Type:

Part-time Pay:

$22.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Mileage reimbursement Paid time off Retirement plan Application Question(s): Are you prepared to submit fingerprints for a Dept of Justice background check? Our service are spans from Petaluma-to-Cloverdale and Sebastopol-to-Sonoma. Do you have a valid CA driver's license, appropriate insurance and reliable transportation? You cannot be certified as a long-term care ombudsman if you have worked in a licensed long-term care setting in the past 12 months, or if you have a financial interest in a long-term care facility. Have you worked in a long-term care setting in the past 12 months? Do you (or your immediate family members) have a financial interest or business relationship with any long-term care facility? Have you ever seen a family member or friend through long-term care? This is not required, but will help orient you to the work.

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Petaluma, CA 94952