Social Worker

Title: Social Worker

Reports To: Executive Director

Department: Nursing

FLSA Status: Exempt

Statement of Purpose

The social worker will work with residents in the assisted living facility by identifying their psychosocial, mental, and emotional needs along with providing, developing, and/or aiding in the access of services to meet those needs. Services will be provided in accordance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics along with strict adherence to government regulations. The social worker is responsible for fostering a climate, policies and routines that enable residents to maximize their individuality, independence, and dignity. This climate shall provide residents with the highest practical level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being and quality of life.

Qualifications

• Licensure: LSW, LCSW, or LICSW in New Hampshire
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work
• Two plus years’ experience: Prior work with elders in a community or long-term care setting is preferred.
• Skills: The social worker must have skills in communication, assessment and social work methods and techniques. He/she should be able to work effectively with a variety of disciplines in an individual and team setting. He/she should have a working understanding of social systems along with the ability to implement pertinent state and federal regulations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

In fulfilling his or her primary duties and responsibilities, the social worker shall exercise professional judgment in carrying out a variety of activities that maximize the well-being and quality of life of residents. The following is a listing of those duties according to the NASW Nursing Home Social Work Practice Standards:

Administrative

• Review facility policies and procedures as part of the facility’s interdisciplinary team to assure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Participate in reviewing and setting policies concerning resident care and quality of life.
• Participate in developing facility social work policies.
• Develop, maintain and utilize a listing of current community resources that are useful to residents and their families/significant others.
• Participate in quality assurance interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Understand and meet all government requirements for social service documentation.
• Document progress in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents.
• Coordinate and participate in Service Plan meetings as part of the interdisciplinary team

Advocacy

• Work with the interdisciplinary team and administration to promote and protect resident rights and the psychological wellbeing of each resident. Prevent and address resident abuse as mandated by law and professional licensure.
• Identify community changes and opportunities such as legislation, regulations and programs that affect nursing home residents.
• Work with residents, families, significant others, and staff to provide support, information and organization for taking a more proactive role in self-advocacy to improve the quality of life/care for individual residents and those who live and work within the nursing home and the community at large.

Clinical

• Complete a social history and psychosocial assessment for each resident that identifies social, emotional, and psychological needs.
• Participate in the development of a written, interdisciplinary plan of care for each resident that identifies the psychosocial needs/issues of the resident, the goals to be accomplished for those needs/issues, and the appropriate social worker interventions.
• Ensure or provide therapeutic interventions to assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to an assisted living facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs.
• Ensure or provide support and education to residents/family members/significant others to assist in their understanding of placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to the appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services.
• Provide groups for residents/family members/significant others as appropriate to their needs.
• Provide clinical interventions to address catastrophic events that occur during the resident’s stay in the facility.

Education

• Educate staff regarding the role of the social worker in the facility and the psychosocial needs of the residents and their families/significant others including the problems of aging and disability.
• Educate staff regarding cultural diversity and each staff member’s importance when caring for residents. Educate staff regarding residents’ rights and how to recognize and prevent abuse, neglect, and mistreatment.
• Educate residents and families/significant others regarding their rights and responsibilities, effective problem solving and the extent of community, health and social services that are available to them, including those necessary for effective discharge planning.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

• Ability to read, write and speak English.
• Ability to provide after-hour service as needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, community officials and the public.
• Must have compassion for and desire to work with the elderly.
• Must meet all State health requirements.
• Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must pass criminal background check.

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• 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 with the residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to relate to the work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the community.
• Physically able to move at least 25 lbs. without assistance. May be required to lift, push, pull and move equipment, supplies, etc.
• Physically able to bend, reach and work in small areas.
• Physical stamina and ability to assist residents as needed and in emergencies.

OSHA Exposure Control:

Category 2: Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, however, due to the nature of this work, the performance of Category 1 tasks may be necessary.

Note:

All duties and responsibilities listed are considered to be essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Marginal functions of the position (those that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties) have not been included. However, the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the associate and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the business and requirement of the job change.

Signature:

I have read and understand the above job description. By signing below, I certify that I meet the minimum requirements and physical demands of the job.

Associate Signature: Date:

Executive Director: Date:

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Geriatrics

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

License/Certification:

• Clinical Social Worker (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000