WAC 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.