(a) For a person to be certified as a staff ombudsman, other than a managing local ombudsman, in accordance with §88.102 of this chapter (relating to Certification of an Ombudsman), the local ombudsman entity must recommend to the Office that the person be certified, using HHSC form "Certified Ombudsman Application." The local ombudsman entity may make a recommendation only if:
  (1) the person has not been convicted of an offense listed under Texas Health and Safety Code §250.006 during the time periods set forth in Texas Health and Safety Code §250.006;
  (2) the person does not have an individual conflict of interest or has an individual conflict of interest that has been remedied, as described in §88.303 of this subchapter (relating to Individual Conflicts of Interest Regarding a Local Ombudsman Entity); and
  (3) the person successfully completes the certification training provided by the local ombudsman entity in accordance with the Ombudsman Policies and Procedures Manual.
(b) For a person to be certified as a volunteer ombudsman in accordance with §88.102 of this chapter, the local ombudsman entity must recommend to the Office that the person be certified, using HHSC form "Certified Ombudsman Application." The local ombudsman entity may make a recommendation only if:
  (1) the person meets the criteria in subsection (a)(1) - (3) of this section; and
  (2) the person successfully completes an internship in accordance with the Ombudsman Policies and Procedures Manual.

Source Note: The provisions of this §88.301 adopted to be effective April 5, 2018, 43 TexReg 2007