(a)

1. (1) The Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program certification process for regional ombudsman program staff includes on-site training of sixteen (16) hours in a long-term care facility.

2. (2) Training shall consist of but is not limited to the following:

   1. (A) Interviews with nursing home department heads, such as:

(i) Administration;

1. (ii) Social services;

   1. (iii) Nursing;

      1. (iv) Dietary;
      2. (v) Activities;
      3. (vi) Rehabilitative services;
      4. (vii) Billing and reimbursement, including Long-Term Care Medicaid; and
      5. (viii) Laundry and housekeeping; and

   2. (B) Observation of the following:

      1. (i) Resident care planning;
      2. (ii) Resident council meeting;
      3. (iii) Staff provision of services to and interaction with residents; and
      4. (iv) Interviews with residents.

(b)

1. (1) Written summaries shall be submitted to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman for review within fifteen (15) days of the observation and interview.

2. (2) The written summary is to include:

   1. (A) Observations;
   2. (B) Interviews;
   3. (C) Issue identification;
   4. (D) Possible follow-ups; and
   5. (E) Any areas of question.
3. (3) The regional ombudsman representative will send a recommendation of practicum completion to the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman or designee.
4. (4) The written summaries will be included in the long-term care ombudsman’s certification file.

5. (5) Feedback will be provided to the long-term care ombudsman trainee within fifteen (15) working days after submission to the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman or designee.

   1. (c)
6. (1) The long-term care ombudsman trainee may request additional visits to be completed before he or she is certified as a long-term care ombudsman by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
7. (2) Additionally, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman may require additional supervised field visitations and documentation to be completed as necessary.