1. (a) The commission shall develop and maintain an Ombudsman Training Program which shall include, but is not necessarily limited to the following:

   1. (1) selection by the director of a mentor who will observe and monitor the progress of ombudsmen who are in training;
   2. (2) formal classroom training conducted by commission staff;
   3. (3) on-the-job training monitored by a mentor and central office Ombudsman Services;
   4. (4) observations of ombudsmen by central office Ombudsmen Services;
   5. (5) comprehensive examinations developed and administered by commission staff that demonstrate the knowledge, experience, and skills required by the Texas Labor Code, §409.042(b); and
   6. (6) regularly scheduled continuing education with emphasis on benefits, the dispute resolution process, updates in the law, the rules, appeals panel decisions, commission policy and ombudsman procedures.
2. (b) When the field office manager and the mentor determine that the ombudsman has attained sufficient skills, they will recommend the ombudsman to the director or his or her designee for approval to independently assist unrepresented parties in specific ombudsman duties.
3. (c) When the director determines, upon recommendation of the field office manager and the mentor, that the ombudsman has obtained an adjuster's license and successfully completed each phase of the Ombudsman Training Program, the director shall present the ombudsman with verification of completion.

4. (d) To maintain status as an ombudsman, he or she shall:

   1. (1) participate in continuing education as described in the Ombudsman Training Program;
   2. (2) retain an adjuster's license; and
   3. (3) maintain technical and professional skills sufficient to perform all of the duties of an ombudsman.
5. (e) Field office managers and central office Ombudsman Services shall monitor the stages of training and continuing education of each ombudsman.

Source Note:The provisions of this §276.11 adopted to be effective February 2, 1996, 21 TexReg 512; amended to be effective December 2, 1997, 22 TexReg 11693; transferred effective March 1, 2006, as published in the Texas Register June 23, 2006, 31 TexReg 5147.