Purpose of Your Job Position
The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of our facility's Social Services Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, our established policies and procedures, and 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.
Office Administration Functions
- Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the social service programs of this facility
- Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures
- Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Administrator
- Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes
- Develop and implement policies and procedures for the identification of medically related social and emotional needs of the resident
- Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services
and needs of the resident and family. Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments
Interview residents and families as necessary and in a private settingPerform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Administrator as requiredInvolve the resident and family in planning social service programs when possibleAssist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessaryRefer resident and families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does notprovide the services or needs of the resident
Provide information to resident and families as to Medicare, Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the residentProvide 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 programsAssist in the review and updating of departmental job descriptions at least annuallyAssume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the social service departmentMaintain a quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizationsReview and evaluate the department's work force and make recommendations to the AdministratorCoordinate social service activities with other departments as necessaryWork with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as requiredDelegate authority, responsibility, and accountability to other responsible department personnelMake written and oral reports and recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the social service departmentAssist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplishedInterpret the department's policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etcKeep abreast of economic conditions and situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in social services that assure the continued ability to provide daily social servicesReview and develop a plan of correction for social service deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide a written copyAssist the Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job related social functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood or body fluids are properly identified and recorded. of such to the Administrator. Review departmental complaints and grievances from personnel and make written reports to the Administrator of action(s) taken. Follow facility's established proceduresAssist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficienciesDevelop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the social services departmentParticipate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directedInterview residents, or family members, as necessary, to obtain social history. Assure that social service progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident's response to the serviceMaintain a reference library of written material, laws, standards of practice, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality social serviceDevelop and maintain a community and social services referral file of agencies and organizations that provide assistance to residentsInvolve the resident / family in planning objectives and goals for the residentMeet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning social service programs and activitiesOthers as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the AdministratorAgree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident / facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the AdministratorAgree not to disclose resident's protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the AdministratorReport any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility's information systemCommittee Functions
Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, Quality Assessment and Assurance, etc.) as required, and as appointed by the AdministratorProvide written and / or oral reports of the social service programs and activities as required, or as may be directed by such committee(s)Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of resident discharge plansEvaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to social services. 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 servicesAttend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be calledSchedule and announce departmental meeting times, dates, places, etcPersonnel Functions
Assist in the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of social services personnelDetermine departmental staffing requirements necessary to meet the social service department's needs, and assign a sufficient number of social services personnel for each tour of duty. Recommend to the Administrator the number and level of social services personnel to be employedSchedule department work hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work assignments, etc., to expedite workDelegate administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to other social services personnel as deemed necessary to perform their assigned duties (i.e., Social Worker, Social Service Designee, etc.)Counsel / discipline social services personnel as requested or as necessaryTerminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting, and coordinating such actions with the HR Director and / or AdministratorAssist in standardizing the methods in which social services tasks will be performedReview and check competence of social services personnel and make necessary adjustments / corrections as required or that may become necessaryMaintain a productive working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate social services to assure that daily social services can be performed without interruptionAssure that appropriate identification documents are presented prior to employment and that such records are maintained in the employee's personnel recordMake daily rounds to assure that social services personnel are performing required duties, and to assure that appropriate social service procedures are being rendered to meet the needs of the facilityConduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility's policies and proceduresReport occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidentsCreate and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facilityReport known or suspected incidents of fraud to the AdministratorEnsure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelinesStaff Development
Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling of timely in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job," and ensure welleducated social services departmentDevelop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the department, its policies and procedures, and to his / her job position and dutiesProvide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for the social services department. Encourage the social services supervisory staff to attend and participate in outside training programs. Schedule times as appropriateAssist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the social services departmentAttend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current statusEnsure that all social services personnel attend and participate in annual facility inservice training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.)Safety and Sanitation
Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the social services departmentEnsure that the department's policy and procedure manual identifies safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that may result in bodily injuryMonitor social services personnel to assure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and suppliesEnsure that social service work areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary mannerEnsure that all social services personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codesEnsure that social services personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional mannerAssist the Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniqueDevelop, implement, and maintain a program for monitoring communicable and / or infectious diseases among the residents and personnelEnsure that social services personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessaryEnsure that department personnel follow established procedures governing the use of labels and MSDSsReport missing / illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated personEnsure that department personnel performing tasks that may involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious disease, etc., attend appropriate in-service training classes prior to performing such tasksDevelop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment. Report any exposure to blood / body fluidsEquipment and Supply Functions
Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the departmentPlace orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as may be required. Make periodic rounds to check equipment and to assure that necessary equipment is available and working properlyCheck supply rooms to assure that needed supplies are on hand to perform assigned cleaning tasksEnsure that all personnel operate social service equipment in a safe mannerDevelop and implement procedures that ensure social service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid wasteEnsure that MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the social services departmentCare Plan and Assessment Functions
Develop preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the social service needs of each residentDevelop a written plan of care for each resident that identifies social problems / needs ofthe resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem / need identifiedEnsure that social services components of the MDS are completed and signed on a timely basisMonitor the facility's QI, QM, and survey reports relative to social services and make recommendations to correct identified problem areasEncourage the resident / family to participate in the development and review of his / her plan of careAssist in the scheduling of care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meetingEnsure that all social services personnel are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in providing daily social services to the residentReview nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed. Report problem areas to the DONSDevelop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of careBudget and Planning Functions
Forecast needs of the departmentAssist in preparing and planning the social services department's budget for food, equipment, supplies, and labor and submit to the Administrator for review, recommendations, and approvalMaintain current written records of department expenditures and assure that adequate financial records and cost reports are submitted to the Administrator upon request or as necessaryMake departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and / or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statementReport suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etcResident Rights
Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such informationKnock before entering a resident's roomEnsure that all social services personnel are knowledgeable of the resident's rights and responsibilities including the right of refusalReview complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written / oral report to the Administrator indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow facility's established proceduresMaintain a written record of the resident's complaints and / or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the status of the complaintProvide residents with information concerning resident rights, living wills, etc. Explain as necessaryParticipate in resident / group council meetings as requested and provide support services to such councilMiscellaneous
Make weekly inspections of all social service functions to assure that quality control measures are continually maintainedBe prepared to handle emergencies as they come up (i.e., rescheduling work assignments and work schedules, etc.)Be sure that appropriate protective clothing / devices is on hand for handling infectious waste and / or blood / body fluids. Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as requiredOther Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without noticeSpecific Requirements
Must be registered as an ACSWMust possess, as a minimum, a Bachelor's Degree from an approved school of Social WorkMust have, as a minimum, two (2) years' experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital, nursing care facility, or other related medical facilityMust be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English languageMust demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents servedMust be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team conceptMust be knowledgeable of the rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern nursing care facilitiesMust possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action
