Nursing Home Community Ombudsman Paralegal - Long-Term Care

Ombudsman Paralegal For Lake County, Illinois

For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year our attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Legal Aid Chicago was founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, regardless of their income. We work to ensure that poverty is not an impediment to justice.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 200 N. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position requires travel to facilities and other outreach events.

Legal Aid Chicago seeks an Ombudsman Paralegal for Lake County, Illinois. Ombudsman Paralegals advocate for residents of long-term care facilities on a wide variety of issues, including care issues, involuntary discharges, and Medicaid issues.

Responsibilities:

• Visit assigned long-term care facilities in Lake 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; organizes and develops 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;
• Assist in promoting 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; and
• Perform other duties reasonably related to Community Ombudsman job functions.

Salary and Benefits:

This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $46,675-$51,428, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bilingual staff are eligible for an additional stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
• Time Off: 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 15 paid holidays and four (4) additional floating holidays
• Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
• $50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
• Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
• Monthly internet reimbursement
• Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree preferred. Applicants must have excellent oral and written skills, and a commitment to social justice. Experience working with the elderly or people with disabilities is helpful. The applicant's 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. Applicant must have a car and a valid driver's license. Applicants are expected to make a minimum commitment of two years to working at Legal Aid Chicago.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience, at least one reference must be a former supervisor. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

Legal Aid Chicago is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.