Social Services Director

Social Services

General Purpose:

Identify and provide for each resident's social, emotional and psychological needs, and the continuing development of the resident's full potential during his/her stay at the facility and to assist in the planning for his/her discharge.

Essential Job Functions

This facility expects their employees to promote an atmosphere of teamwork with other employees and hospitality and comfort for its residents. Therefore, the following list of duties is not all-inclusive:

• Provide timely and accurate completion of Social Services portion of the MDS, Resident Assessment Protocols, Resident Care Plan, and Progress Notes as well as Social Services Assessment, and other forms as required by the Executive Director in order to comply with federal and state regulations and facility policies and procedures.
• Assist residents and families with social, emotional, and family issues.
• Participate in resident care planning by identifying the social and emotional needs of the residents in accordance with the medical assessment.
• Maintain progress notes for each resident as required by company policy and state and federal regulations, indicating response to the treatment plan and adjustment to facility life. Progress notes shall be recorded on the appropriate form and placed on the residents chart in compliance with state and federal regulations. Progress notes must reflect progress made regarding problems identified in the Plan of Care.
• Make referrals to support agencies when the need for such services is determined by the interdisciplinary team, keeping records of such referrals.
• Participate in the development of discharge plans as appropriate and prepare the resident for transition.
• Serve as general information source for families, residents and the public.
• Visit residents and perform needed services such as communicating with the family or friends, utilizing community resources, and informing the resident and/or legal representative of the Residents' Rights.
• Coordinate logistics and content for monthly Family Council Meetings.
• Coordinate resident room changes.
• Interview, make recommendations for hiring decisions, orient, train, evaluate and supervise transportation drivers and receptionists.
• Assist in making arrangements for transportation to appointments, community events, and other facilities, as directed.
• Contact the resident or legal representative and invite to care plan meetings to participate in evaluation of the resident.
• Maintain contact with the resident, legal representative, and other family members approved by the resident or legal representative, involving them in the resident's total care and providing them with information on the resident's status as requested or appropriate.
• Work with Activity Coordinator on providing requested effects for residents who do not have family support.
• Promote favorable working conditions and relationships with the administration, medical staff, physicians, consultants, other departments, residents, family members, volunteers, agencies, and any other individual or group affiliated with the facility.
• Work closely with the facility mental health provider to insure that all resident psychosocial needs are identified, referrals are made, and services are provided.
• Assist in the education of the community regarding aging, rights of residents, facility services and other related topics.
• Orient the resident to the long-term care environment and facilitate adjustment upon placement.
• Attend in-service education programs in order to meet facility educational requirements.
• Be familiar with Standard Precautions, Exposure Control Plan, Fire Drill & Evacuation Procedures and know how to use the information.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident and facility records/information.
• Protect residents from neglect, mistreatment, and abuse.
• Protect the personal property of the residents of the facility.
• Other tasks and duties as directed by the supervisor or Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• In a facility with more than 120 beds:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, or bachelor's degree in a human services field including but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology; AND
• One year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals

• In a facility with 120 beds or less:

• Approval from Corporate Office if no educational degree or if
  educational degree is other than those listed above AND
• Approved social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals

• Excellent assessment, listening, and counseling skills.
• Organized and detailed in work performance.
• Good communication skills with excellent self-discipline and patience.
• Genuine caring for and interest in elderly and disabled people in a nursing facility.
• Comply with the Residents' Rights and Facility Policies and Procedures.
• Perform work tasks within the physical demand requirements as outlined below.
• Perform Essential Duties as outlined above.

Working Conditions

• Subject to frustrations in meeting work demands due to frequent interruptions.
• Fast paced, required to make decisions quickly
• Involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• May work beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals