Social Worker Advocate - Santa Monica

WISE & Healthy Aging currently has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Advocate. Our well-established Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, considered a “best practice” program by the California State Ombudsman Office, serving the City and County of Los Angeles, is searching for motivated, assertive, and energetic individuals to service the territory of the posted regional office.

The Ombudsman Advocate strives to protect the rights and dignity of disabled and senior residents in skilled nursing and residential care facilities. This critical role ensures high-quality care and life for individuals residing in these facilities by providing advocacy services on their behalf. Such services involve monitoring visits, identifying, and investigating complaints by or on behalf of residents, disseminating educational information, and witnessing advance health care directives.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. 1. Identify, investigate and resolve complaints, including alleged elder and dependent adult abuse, to the satisfaction of residents of long-term care facilities.
   2. Collaborate with and supervise interns and volunteers.
   3. Ensure that all complaints are handled according to program guidelines.
   4. Provide continuing community presence through unannounced or scheduled visits to long-term care facilities.
   5. Provide case management and reporting in compliance with established procedures.
   6. Provide community education presentations, ongoing Public Relations, and development with community partners like law enforcement and local fire departments.
   7. Use of personal vehicle to visit LTC facilities approximately 60% of the time.

Job Requirements:

A. Education

Preferred Requirement - Masters in Social Work (MSW). Masters in Gerontology (MSG) may also be considered.

B. Experience & Other Requirements

1. Minimum of three (3) years related experience (voluntary or paid) in healthcare, long-term care advocacy, gerontology, investigations, mediation, and negotiation strongly preferred.
2. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
3. Demonstrated experience performing direct service in social services or a related field. Prior responsibilities in handling case management, client advocacy, or therapy involving vulnerable populations, particularly older adults.
4. Field work experience with ethnically diverse populations.
5. Bi-lingual language skills are a plus.
6. Candidates must not have worked, interned, or volunteered at a long-term care facility or adult day service center for at least one year before application.
7. Must travel throughout the designated service territory.
8. Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and satisfactory criminal background check required.

Benefits & Compensation:

We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. For staff who regularly work 30 or more hours per week, benefits include 80% company-paid medical, 100% company-paid dental, 401(k) plan with competitive employer match, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), optional life and vision insurance, 13 paid holidays plus paid time off (PTO).

Don’t see a specific job that matches your qualifications? Please fill out the general application as we are always looking to hire new talent to join the Wise & Healthy Aging team!