Social Services Director

POSITION SUMMARY :   The primary purpose of this job position is to assist in planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the overall operation of the Social Services Department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations, our established policies and procedures, or as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met / maintained on an individual basis. The position may be classified as salaried exempt and is justified by a program requiring at least 50% of time dedicated to the management of the department and personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the social service programs of this facility.

Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.

Participate in discharge planning, development, and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.

Involve the resident / family in planning social service programs when possible.

Refer resident / families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the services or needs of the resident.

Provide information to resident / families as to Medicare / Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.  Provide direct assistance and support to residents / families with the process of application, submission, and coordination with the relevant programs and their offices.

Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in efforts to solve the needs and problems of the resident through the development of social service programs.

Maintain a quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.

Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.

Assist in providing solutions for social and practical environmental problems including seeking financial assistance, discharge planning (including collaboration with community agencies), and referrals to other community agencies when specialized assistance is required.

Interview resident / family to obtain social history and evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plans for social treatment.

Interpret social, psychological, and emotional needs of the resident / family to the medical staff, attending physician, and other resident care team members.

Assist the QAPI Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the social services department.

Ensure that all charted progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident’s response to the service.

Maintain a reference library of written material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will aid in maintaining quality social service.

Provides written and oral reports / recommendations to the Administrator concerning Social Services matters within the facility.

Prepares for and participates in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.

Develops, plans and conducts in-service training classes as they pertain to the Social Services department.

Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of resident discharge plans.

Meet with social services personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis, and solicit advice from inter-department supervisors concerning the operation of the social services department, assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and / or the improvement of services.

Assist in developing preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the social service needs of each resident.

Assist in developing a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies the problems / needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem / need identified.

Encourage the resident / family to participate in the development and review of his / her plan of care.

Assist in the scheduling of care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting.

Ensure that all social services personnel are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in providing daily social services to the resident.

Review nurses’ notes to determine if the care plan is being followed; report concerns to the DNS.

QUALIFICATIONS :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and / or Experience :

• Must have, as a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in social work or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field including but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology.
• Must have, as a minimum, one year of experience as a Social Worker, preferably in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.
• Hold current license through the state board as a LSW or a higher-level license.

Other Specific Requirements

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Works in all area(s) of the facility (i.e. nurse’s stations, resident rooms, etc.).

Moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Interacts with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies / personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.

Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.

Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (with or without the aid of mechanical devices) :

Must possess sight / hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively.

Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which may include a medical and physical examination.

Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds.  Requires infrequent lifting of more weight up to 50 pounds.