Social Services Designee

Key Job Duties and Responsibilities

The primary purpose of the Social Services Designee is to assist in implementing and directing social service programs in accordance with current existing federal, state, and local standards, as well as our established policies and procedures. Assure that the residents physical, mental, emotional and social needs are met and maintained on an individual basis.
The following is a general list of key job duties and responsibilities in your position. The list is not to be considered inclusive and you will be required to perform other duties/responsibilities as assigned by an authorized supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Comply with the Facility’s personnel, safety, and corporate policies and procedures.
• Comply with the marketing department’s policies and procedures.
• Report witnessed or reported allegations of resident abuse/neglect immediately to the Administrator/DON or Nurse Manager on Call.
• Treat residents, family members, visitors, and team members with respect and dignity.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident and family information.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Assist the Social Service Director in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing of the social service programs of this facility.
• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning social services, as directed.
• Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family.
• Coordinates admissions including readmissions, room moves and patient inquires.
• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.
• Assist in arranging transportation to appointments, transfers to another facility, discharges, etc.
• Interview residents/families as necessary and in a private setting.
• Involve the resident/family in planning social service programs when possible.
• Provide information to resident/families as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.
• Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Director.
• May be required to coordinate resident Medicare and Medicaid benefits including beneficiary consent, denials, explanations, utilization and MS 2001. Responsible for coordinating VA and insurance benefits for residents.
• Record and maintain regular Social Service progress notes indicating response to the treatment plan and/or adjustment to institutional life.
• Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.
• Make routine visits to residents and perform services as necessary.
• Maintain contact with the resident’s family, involving them with non-medical progress reports as necessary.
• Assist in interpreting social, psychological, and emotional needs of the resident/family to the medical staff, attending physician, and other resident care team members.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with other departments within the facility, and outside community health, welfare and social agencies, to assure that social service programs can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
• Attend and participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing tasks that may result in exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, or hazardous chemicals.
• Report all incidents/accidents immediately.
• Participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills.
• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Director indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow facility’s established procedures.
• Inform the resident/family of the resident’s personal and property rights.
• Assist resident with information concerning resident rights, living wills, etc.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.

Key Job/Physical Requirements

The following is a general list of key job/physical requirements for your position. The list is not to be considered inclusive and other job/physical requirements may be necessary as deemed by the Facility.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an approved school of social work, preferred.
• Social service designee certificate or license, required.
• If required to operate a motor vehicle for business purposes, must successfully complete the requirements contained in Company’s Motor Vehicles policy.
• Must have basic computer skills.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must be able to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Must be able to perform the essential position functions of the job with, or without reasonable accommodation.
• Employee is required to use a transfer/gait belt or to obtain the assistance of another employee when attempting to assist residents when lifting or carrying objects in excess of 25 pounds. The employee must be aware that during the normal, routine performance of the essential functions, some of the following body movements may occur naturally, although they may not be a requirement of the job.