# COMAR Title 32 — Maryland Department of Aging

## Subtitle 03 — Grants and Subsidies

### Chapter 02 — Nursing Home Ombudsman Program

#### Regulation .03 Training.

*COMAR 32.03.02.03*

A. 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.

B. 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.

C. 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.