Social Worker

POSITION TITLE

The Social Worker job description will provide the scope of the position for the facility Occupational Exposure : Category I1

Department : Social Services

Reports to : Administrator

FLSA : Non- exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

To assist in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents / families, to assist them in coping with problems related to illness and disability, and to enable residents / families to utilize medical and support services available in order to achieve their optimal level of functioning.

POSITION RELATIONSHIP

Performs social service functions as a contract employee within the transitional / subacute units of contracted health facilities. Serves as member of interdisciplinary team, liaison to advocacy agencies, and support resource to residents, families and peers. Accountable to the Clinical Manager of the Unit (in DP of the Hospital) / Administrator (FS SNF) for day to day operations and social services activities, to assure compliance with the regulatory agencies such as Department of Health Services, Title 22, and JCAHO. Collaborates with all levels of unit nursing personnel, including the Director of Nurses, physicians, consultants, and the IDT in assessing needs and providing education to the facility.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. PROFESSIONAL

a. BSW or MSW in Social Work or its equivalent is preferred, with a minimum of a B.A. in a Human Service related field or equivalent related experience.

b. Social Service related experience in a health care setting desirable, such as acute care and / or rehabilitation.

c. Experience in the provision of Social Service in LTC / SNF preferred.

d. A working knowledge of basic services provided by various health and welfare organizations in the community.

e. Clinical experience working with individuals, families and groups.

f. Knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the age of the patients served.

g. Knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the age of the patients served.

h. Computer skills and knowledge of basic computer programs (must be able to prepare individual / departmental reports as position requires).

i. Current CPR certification.

2. PERSONAL

a. Must have strong communication skills, both oral and written

b. Demonstrated ability to be part of a team, ability to present precise and meaningful reports both verbally and in writing.

c. Ability to relate appropriately and effectively with others.

d. Leadership, development and teaching abilities.

e. Possesses good judgment, organizational and time management skills.

f. Ability to accept and use professional supervision, consultation, and in-service training effectively.

g. Ability to work independently in the assessment and resolution of problems, as well as carry out the day to day function of the job without onsite daily social work supervision.

h. Maintains professional appearance.

i. Dependable, conscientious, honest, good attitude promotes safety.

j. Demonstrates understanding, discretion, patience, tact and diplomacy in dealing with residents, visitors, peers / staff, and administrative personnel.

k. Possess good presentation skills so as to present outcomes / results / recommendations (positive and negative) in a professional, useful and effective manner.

l. Ability to prioritize multiple assignments.

m. Ability to cope with stressful situations

3. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Ability to make clear assessment and develop appropriate treatment plans; to organize and carry out workload based upon needs and priorities; skills in problem solving to remedy adjustment concerns or conflicts; displays sound knowledge base in clinical interventions with individuals and groups.

b. Provides direct social work services and counseling to residents, families and / or groups to enhance psychosocial functioning, spiritual, cultural, emotional, financial and physical well-being.

c. Initiates interview process with resident / family within 24 hours of admission to determine the social, psychological, financial, grief support, cultural, family, spiritual and health needs, in order to formulate a written assessment within 2 days of admission to the unit.

d. Develops a plan of intervention, based upon assessment, which addresses the resident’s physical and psychological problems, and in coordination with the recommendations of other health care disciplines involved in the resident’s plan of care.

e. Assists residents / families through individual or group education and conference to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations.

f. Performs interdisciplinary discharge planning and review for each resident within 48 hours of admission, with ongoing evaluation and documentation of plan involving resident / family and team member input.

g. Facilitates the admission agreement of residents to the facility through assisting with facility tours, assuring completion of the agreement and consent forms, and the provision of information covering rights and services.

h. Conducts regular room visits to residents and maintains regular contact with family either by phone or mail, whenever possible or reasonable.

i. Conducts monthly family groups on the unit to educate and assist families and significant others in coping with anxieties, grief, and the ongoing adjustment to the resident's illness and disability.

j. Assist and monitor resident's financial / medical benefits to assure financial security and management of personal funds, liaison with facility business office, application and monitoring of benefits process, liaison to disability and welfare agencies, consultation with corporate office Case Managers and contracting staff for continuity of coverage, monitoring of share of cost and Medi-Cal POS', and assurance of a responsible party designee for resident well-being.

k. Conducts open, timely and professional communication and relationships with residents / family, team members, supervisors, and others in order to facilitate team work, to assure resident self-determination, and to update on any significant changes or concerns.

l. Participates and provides leadership in interdisciplinary team conferences on residents with other members of the staff, in order to develop, review and update individualized treatment goals and comprehensive plan of care.

m. Provides consultation to members of facility staff, community agencies, and other persons or groups seeking guidance in efforts to solve the problems of residents.

n. Communicates and interprets age specific data and responses to treatment; recognizes specific barriers to learning such as language, skill level, cultural issues, socialization factors, e.g. separation, anxiety, loss of independence, loss of livelihood, etc.

o. Assists in coordinating two major family functions per year, such as Holiday Parties, Easter Hunts, etc., which can be held in lieu of regular family groups and planned in conjunction with Activity Director.

p. Maintains resident dignity, quality of life, confidentiality of information and serves as advocate for the resident at all times (i.e. Liaison with advocacy agencies, assuring voting privileges, monitoring and reporting of elder / dependent and child abuse, resolution of grievance / complaints, monitoring of theft and loss; etc.).

q. Works cooperatively with resident / family, administration, and facility staff to assure that the physiological and concrete needs are maintained for the well-being of the resident (i.e. optical, dental, audiological, clothing, etc.).

4. DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY : Implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures, tasks, and standards of compliance.

a. Makes clear, concise, and timely entries in the medical record for each resident, including nature of problem, interventions, and progress towards dealing with the problem, as well as social service treatment goals.

b. Carries out the policies and procedures of the department and facility in collaboration with appropriate clinical and administrative personnel.

c. Adheres to facility and medical staff rules and regulations relating to resident care, medical needs and legal requirements.

d. Attends monthly meeting with other facility staff to discuss pertinent billing, payment, status of benefits and follow-up concerns to assure resident’s financial security.

e. Adheres to facility safety precautions, quality control standards, personnel policies, and maintains certifications as necessary to avoid injury to self and others, to implement an effective program, and to promote a manner of positive / professional behavior.

f. Maintains resident / family privacy and the coordination of the social services program in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.

g. Ensures fiscal responsibility and provision of services is conducted within budgetary parameters, as per expense protocols, and is provided within organizational guidelines and as per policies.

h. Performs such other functions as are identified and requested by supervisor.

i. Adheres to employee personnel and professional standards for performance, including reporting to work on time and as scheduled, maintaining dress code for professional appearance, accurate and timely submission of time worked or leave requested, and attending to personal affairs to avoid interference with productivity.

5. JUDGMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY. Ability to analyze, monitor, and make decisions objectively based upon quality standards.

a. Maintains statistical records and submits reports as requested by Social Service Department and facility departments.

b. Performs basic administrative tasks related to the job; (i.e. time planning, recording, reports, departmental studies and projects, and other routines) as required by the Social Service Department for improvement in the quality of services provided.

c. Responds timely to all associate, peer and client communications (which includes, but is not limited to, the daily checking of email, cell phone and voice mail messages).

d. Carries out departmental Performance Improvement Program to monitor the quality and appropriateness of important aspects of Social Work Services.

6. PROFICIENCY AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Ongoing self-development and the development of knowledge for residents and families, co-workers, and other professional.

a. Participates in regular staff meetings, departmental meetings, resident / family groups and council meetings, hospital committees, and community organizational committees.

b. Maintains up to date knowledge of changes in community resources and services programs, and communicates such changes as appropriate; researches, develops and maintains files of new resources as needed.

c. Maintains up-to-date knowledge and ongoing compliance and standards for social work practice and LTC regulations, licensing, Title 22, and JCAHO guidelines.

d. Educates residents and families regarding community resources and makes appropriate referrals to assure continuity of care.

e. Interprets and provides in-service training regarding social, psychological, emotional and family problems to attending physician and other pertinent team members.

f. Educates and assists resident / family to obtain knowledge about economic and social resources with which to plan and meet their financial support needs, in order to assure financial security and stability of benefits for residents in the facility.

g. Develops and delivers orientation and continuing education in-services to l staff regarding services provided by Social Services Department and / or related Social Service topics corresponding to team development in an effort to enhance team functioning.