Description

BASIC PURPOSE:

The Director of Social Services is responsible for providing professional services to individual residents/patients, their families, the care team, other departments, and the community. The Director of Social Services is concerned with helping individuals deal with problems of age, illness, disability, family relationships, emotional, spiritual and psychological needs, as well as economic and environmental factors.

Promotes Organizational Excellence and our corporate values of INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, EXCELLENCE, COMMITMENT and COMMUNITY.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS FOR DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES

This description does not state or imply that the duties, essential functions, and job requirements are the ONLY parameters for this position. Associates are required to follow job related instruction and perform other job related activities requested by their supervisor.

All requirements are subject to possible modification in order to provide a reasonable accommodation to individual with physical or mental disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant to the health and safety of themselves, the patients or other associates.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Frequent walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and feeling are necessary body movements utilized in performing nursing duties throughout the work shift.
2. Must be able to read and write legibly in English.
3. Must be able to type.
4. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
5. Hearing within normal range is required.
6. Visual acuity must be within normal range.
7. Must be able to sit for extended periods reading charts, files, etc.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must be able to handle and maintain confidential information.
2. Must have the ability to perform concentrated and complex mental activity with frequent involvement in complex and highly technical situations.
3. Must have the ability to work successfully under highly stressful conditions, and must be capable of adapting to varying workloads and work assignments on a constant basis.
4. Must have the ability to make sound, independent judgments based on scientific principles, and also be able to collaborate with other multi-disciplinary team members in an appropriate fashion.
5. Must have the ability to comprehend and perform oral and written instructions and procedures.
6. Must have effective reading and comprehension skills.
7. Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
8. Must have math skills to work with statistics, data collections, etc.
9. Must be able to organize, prioritize and complete assigned tasks.
10. Must be able to work flexible and/or extended hours.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (POTENTIAL FOR)

1. Exposure to high stress and frequent work interruptions.
2. Exposure to cleaning agents and disinfectants.
3. Exposure to toxic gas, fumes, and odors.
4. Exposure to electrical current.
5. Exposure to radiation from radiology equipment.

JOB DUTIES

ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS

1. Maintains a positive and professional atmosphere for patients and personnel.
2. Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary in order to interact affectively with patients and personnel.
3. Secures required patient/client information in order to maintain confidentiality and assure patient/client rights are protected.
4. Participates in administration of policies and procedures of the organization and department to provide for fair and impartial application to all employees.
5. Participation in planning, problem solving, policy development and priority setting for the hospital and is responsible for the administrative management.
6. Works closely with the CEO in providing support.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Functions as information and planning service coordinator:
   1. Receives or follows through on initial inquiry from prospective resident/patient, family, and/or other referral agencies.
   2. Works with hospitals and/or other referral agencies.
   3. Assist the individual and/or family to evaluate alternatives for care and services, when applicable.
   4. Counsels with prospective resident/patient and family members concerning the admission of their family member to the Unit.
   5. Completes all paper work as required by any state and federal agency prior to admission to the Unit.
   6. Completes all admission paperwork with individual.
   7. Completes a Social Assessment on each new resident/patient.
   8. Informs and prepares Unit and other departments (Admitting) for admission of the resident. If late admission, is assured that chart is prepared and paperwork completed.
   9. Coordinates and schedules Admission meetings.
   10. Coordinates nursing home and personal care home placements.
2. Functions as coordinator for services
   1. Problem solves any non-medical problem that resident/patient might have.
   2. Acts as liaison for extra services that resident/patient may require.
   3. Assists with investigating and resolving any resident/patient disputes.
   4. Adequately documents any action taken in this area in the residents/patients chart.
   5. Attends Resident Care Conferences
   6. Notifies by form/letters resident’s/patient’s family or Responsible Person of each plan meeting.
3. Coordinates admission/discharges/and transfers
   1. Contacts transfer services and sets up transfer
   2. Communicates with transfer facility to ensure that transfer is uneventful.
   3. Makes appointments with referral physician, etc., and coordinate the residents/patients transfer to the appointment.
   4. Adequately documents any action taken in this area in resident’s/patient’s charts.
4. Provides for or arranges for counseling needed by the resident/patient or family to assist in dealing with emotional, family, financial, or other interaction problems.
5. Assists in coordinating all services and interactions which respond to the needs of the residents both in and out of the facility.
   1. Obtains any equipment that resident/patient may need in a timely manner.
   2. Coordinates any out of facility trip that resident needs
   3. Assists with activities, as needed
6. Serves as a liaison person in collaboration with the Activity Coordinator for Resident Council.
7. Serves as the resident/patient advocate.
8. Promotes good public relations by establishing positive working relationships between the facility and resident/patient, their families and the community.
9. Maintains adequate charting
   1. Documents daily any interaction that occurs with resident/patient.
   2. Documents the status of equipment ordered, appointments made, etc.
   3. Completes Social Assessment in a timely manner.
   4. Completes accurate discharge planning notes.
10. Provides assistance to patients who request services based on need. Examples are:
    1. Home health referrals and information;
    2. Nursing home referrals and information;
    3. Low-income housing assessments and referrals;
    4. Transportation assistance.
11. Have working knowledge of the Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Living Will and DNR documentation and be able to relate the process to patients.
12. Able to maintain accurate documentation in the medical record.
13. Assists in the placement of elderly and long-term patients in appropriate facilities or institutions.
14. Applies for assistance from agencies such as Home Health Care, In-Home Caregiver Services and other agencies when needed after discharge from hospital.
15. Counsels patients and/or family in means of meeting medical expenses and provides information to patient and family in regard to Medicare, Medicaid and other welfare programs.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field including, but not limited to, sociology, gerontology, special education, rehabilitation counseling and psychology.

2. Licensed by the West Virginia Board of Social Work Examiners.

3. Social Worker with current licensure to practice in the state of West Virginia.

4. Must have at least two years experience in a social work position at a health care institution working directly with individuals. Preferred experience in Long Term Care Facility.

5. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.

6. Must demonstrate ability to communicate and to use tact and diplomacy in dealing with physicians, patients, families and other health care professionals.

7. Ability to work independently while being able to communicate with other employees.

8. Ability to assess complex situations and develop a realistic, appropriate and safe plan.

9. Must demonstrate characteristics of dependability and punctuality.