Section 365-18-080. Duties—Certified volunteer long-term care ombudsmen.

Trained and certified volunteer long-term care ombudsmen shall, in accordance with policies and procedures established by the state office, and under the supervision of the regional long-term care ombudsman, have the following duties:

(1) Inform residents, their representatives and others about their rights, and offer and provide services to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents;

(2) Represent the interests of residents before government agencies and seek administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents;

(3) Visit residents in the assigned facility(s) on a regular basis, with provision made by facilities and ombudsmen to secure privacy for the purpose of the ombudsman carrying out his or her duties;

(4) According to program policy, identify, investigate and resolve complaints that:

(a) Relate to actions, inactions, or decisions, that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of residents;

(b) Are made by:

(i) A resident, a resident's relatives, friends, or associates;

(ii) Providers, or representatives of providers, of long-term care or health care services;

(iii) Public agencies;

(iv) Health and social service agencies; or

(v) Guardians, representative payees, holders of powers of attorney, or other resident representatives;

(5) Review, and if necessary, comment on any existing and proposed laws, regulations, and other governmental policies and actions, that pertain to the rights and well-being of residents; and facilitate the ability of the public to comment on the laws, regulations, policies, and actions;

(6) Promote development of resident councils, family councils, and citizen advocacy groups; and

(7) Carry out other activities that the state long-term care ombudsman determines to be appropriate.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.190 RCW and Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C., 3001 et seq., as amended). WSR 00-09-060, § 365-18-080, filed 4/17/00, effective 5/18/00.]

Chapter 43.190 RCW and Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C., 3001 et seq., as amended). WSR 00-09-060, § 365-18-080, filed 4/17/00, effective 5/18/00.