The ombudsman shall ensure that appropriate training is provided to all employees of the office and to the members of the state and local councils.(1) All state and local council members and employees of the office shall be given a minimum of 20 hours of training upon employment with the office or approval as a state or local council member and 10 hours of continuing education annually thereafter.
(2) The ombudsman shall approve the curriculum for the initial and continuing education training, which must, at a minimum, address:(a) Resident confidentiality.
(b) Guardianships and powers of attorney.
(c) Medication administration.
(d) Care and medication of residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
(e) Accounting for residents’ funds.
(f) Discharge rights and responsibilities.
(g) Cultural sensitivity.
(h) Any other topic recommended by the secretary.
(3) No employee, officer, or representative of the office or of the state or local councils, other than the ombudsman, may hold himself or herself out as a representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or conduct any authorized program duty described in this part unless the person has received the training required by this section and has been certified by the ombudsman as qualified to carry out ombudsman activities on behalf of the office or the state or local councils.
