Someone in long-term care needs you! Volunteer with The Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Today

Learn how you have the power to make a difference...

The Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is looking for individuals who are interested in joining a group of dedicated volunteers who visit residents in long-term care facilities across the state of Maine. Volunteer Ombudsman are advocates who provide a voice for consumers while working collaboratively with long-term care facilities.

Volunteer Ombudsman Representatives Ensure That:

• All long-term care residents have the highest quality of life.
• Each resident is able to fully exercise his or her rights as a resident of a long-term care setting (nursing home, residential care, assisted living).
• Staff fully respects the choices, values and dignity of each individual.

Qualities, Experience & Skills Needed:

• Effective communication skills
• Ability to keep confidential information obtained about residents
• Ability to follow up on concerns raised by residents
• Perseverance to follow up on a concern until it is resolved
• Ability to develop collaborative working relationships
• Ability to benefit from supervision
• Ability to participate in team work
• Physically capable of meeting the demands of a service role
• No conflict of interest
• No criminal background
• Access to an automobile with vehicle insurance coverage as required by state law

We provide the training and supervision needed to enable volunteers to help residents know and understand their rights.

Benefits of Volunteering

• Increased social ties and advocacy skills
• Making a difference in the lives of others
• Giving back to your community
• Acquiring new knowledge and skill set around long-term care

 Steps to becoming a Volunteer Ombudsman Representatives

• Complete application
• Submission of conflict of interest form and proof of vehicle insurance
• Interview with Volunteer Program Manager
• Background check
• Shadow visit with long standing volunteer
• Initial 36 hour training session with Volunteer Program Manager
• Continued education (18 hours annual)
• One year commitment to the program