Regulation .03 Training.

The State ombudsman shall provide, and the local ombudsman shall participate in, the following training for local ombudsman:

(1)

At least 14 hours of orientation to provide a working knowledge of the long-term care system and the Statewide Ombudsman Program;

(2)

At least quarterly in-service meetings, each at least 1 day in duration;

(3)

Technical assistance on a continuing, as-needed basis.

The local ombudsman shall provide, and the patient advocates shall participate in, the following training for patient advocates:

(1)

At least 20 hours of initial training to provide a working knowledge of the long-term care system and the Statewide Ombudsman Program;

(2)

At least quarterly in-service meetings, each at least 3 hours in duration;

(3)

Technical assistance on a continuing, as-needed basis.

Training shall cover at least the following subjects:

(1)

Physical, mental, and emotional aspects of aging;

(2)

History, purpose, objectives of local ombudsman program, and relationship to State Ombudsman Program;

(3)

Volunteer policies, procedures, and skills for handling complaints;

(4)

Confidentiality;

(5)

Overview of nursing home system;

(6)

Patients' Bill of Rights—State and federal;

(7)

Regulatory system—federal/State/local laws and regulations;

(8)

Health care system profile and interrelationships between agencies;

(9)

Family/resident council;

(10)

Reading and understanding medical records.