Long-Term Care Ombudsman are advocates for resident rights and help protect the quality of life and quality of care of anybody who lives in a long-term care facility.

Volunteers regularly visit residents at a designated nursing home or assisted living facility. They listen to residents' concerns and, with resident consent, investigate, problem-solve, and help resolve concerns. Ombudsman support residents' rights, privacy, and confidentiality.

Volunteers must complete a one-time 36-hour certification training course, including online, classroom, and in-facility training. Each volunteer must also complete a one-time 10-hour internship. Training, ongoing supervision, and support are provided by the Kern County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Once the mandatory certification training is completed, volunteers have flexible hours for their service.

Commitment Time:

• Minimum of 15 service hours per month required
• Complete 18 hours of additional approved training (annually)
• Complete 45 min. of the California Department of Aging security awareness training (annually)

Volunteers benefit by making a difference in the lives of long-term care residents.

Mileage reimbursement is available.

Volunteer Ombudsman can enhance their interpersonal and problem-solving skills through:

• Communication
• Listening
• Relationship Building
• Problem-Solving

Volunteer facility assignments use two main factors:

• Where we have a need for volunteers
• The volunteers' preference

If you prefer to have an assignment near your home or work, we will make every effort to accommodate your preference if a facility is available.

• Attend Monthly In-service Meetings
• Visit Facilities Regularly
• Submit Reports Every Month
• Keep Complete and Accurate Notes/Documentation

Have fun! This volunteer experience offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the life of an elder.

Please complete and submit your volunteer application on the link listed below. Once your application has been processed, the Ombudsman office staff will notify you of the next steps.

Kern Long-Term Care Ombudsman Volunteer Application

For more information about volunteering, please contact (661) 323-7884.