Nursing Home Community Ombudsman Paralegal (Cook County) - Long-Term Care

Responsibilities

• Visit assigned long-term care facilities in suburban Cook County to educate residents, family members, facility staff and the public about residents' rights and investigate and resolve complaints;
• Attend resident and family council meetings to advise on issues related to long-term care;
• Organize and develop family councils when necessary;
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with long-term care staff;
• Develop knowledge of relevant law and regulations including Medicaid, Medicare, and federal and state laws relating to long-term care;
• Complete all training required by the Illinois Department on Aging;
• Assist in the recruitment, training, and retention of volunteer ombudsmen;
• Afford promotion of the Ombudsman Project throughout the service area;
• Perform intake, engage in fact gathering and advocacy;
• Represent clients at hearings before the Illinois Department of Human Services, Nursing Home Division in cases involving the denial or termination of Medicaid eligibility for long-term care residents;
• Perform other duties reasonably related to Community Ombudsman job functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred;
• Excellent oral and written skills;
• A commitment to social justice;
• Experience working with the elderly or people with disabilities is helpful;
• Personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve;
• Spanish fluency is a plus;
• Basic internet and computer skills are required, including familiarity with such programs as MS Word, Outlook, and Excel;
• Good organizational skills are essential;
• Previous experience with long-term care facilities is preferred;
• Car and a valid driver’s license are required.

Requirements

• Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.