Social Worker (Nursing Home)

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Care Center Director of Nursing, the Social Worker will assist in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing EHS’ Health and Rehabilitation Center social services and Discharge Planning Programs. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the Social Worker will provide psychosocial support for the needs of residents based on a comprehensive assessment. Responsibilities include assuring residents the maximum attainable quality of life and emotional/physical well-being in accordance with JCAHO, federal, state, and local guidelines, organizational and departmental policies, and procedures. Communicates with medical staff, other departments, and outside agencies while maintaining total confidentiality.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

• Fosters a positive self-image for the residents through continued social contact, decision-making opportunities, and independence.
• Provides a physical environment that is supportive rather than challenging or crippling to the residents.
• Adopts a holistic perspective by recognizing the dynamic interplay of social, psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being.
• Creates an atmosphere of growth for the residents.
• Ensures adherence to proper infection control, OSHA, and safety standards.
• Meet with medical and nursing staff and related departments to arrange social services, counseling, patient education, and discharge planning.
• Develops and maintains a good working rapport with other departments within the facility and outside community health & welfare and social agencies to ensure that social service programs can be properly utilized to meet the needs of the residents.
• Assists in developing, administering, and coordinating department policies and procedures. Continuously reviews department policies and procedures, with a complete review once every three years.
• Participates in various committees as may be appointed by the Chief Nursing Officer and the Care Center Director of Nursing.
• Acts as a resource and consultant to other departments in the facility and community.
• Participates in discharge planning, development, and implementation of social care plans and patient assessments.
• Interviews and evaluates patients and, if appropriate, their families and health care professionals to determine their medical/social/and physical status and needs pre- and post-admission; determines if and what intervention is necessary; and refers to services and agencies.
• Actively seeks out new models of patient education, social agencies, governmental agencies, health disciplines, etc., that can be used in our facility to further promote the well-being and health of Care Center residents and the surrounding community.
• Performs administrative requirements, completing necessary forms, reports oral and written, charting, social service progress notes, etc.
• Acts as an information resource for the patient, family members (when appropriate), our facility, and the community regarding Medicaid/Medicare, social service programs, agencies, financial aid, transportation, and other services that may/may not be available in the community or to the resident.
• Compiles and maintains a social service directory listing of available community services.
• Makes routine visits to new admissions and performs services as necessary.
• Coordinates discharge and patient needs with the physician, obtaining physician orders and coordinating the best options available to the patient, family, and physician.
• Follow up with the patient after discharge to ensure that the discharge plan has been implemented.
• Assists residents and families in completing and interpreting necessary forms to obtain services.
• Assist the Emergency Department with any needs for patients lacking healthcare resources, prescriptions, and/or home health.
• Perform other duties as requested, required, needed, or assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Level of Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in Social Work or a related field is required.

Formal Training: Management skills with experience in planning, organizing, implementing, facilitating, interviewing, counseling, and verbal and written communications.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: An unencumbered license/Certification as a Social Worker with the State of Georgia is highly preferred. BLSCPR certification is required.

Work Experience: Two years of current social work experience in an accredited Long-term care facility highly prefered.

Computer Skills: Intermediate computer skills in utilizing computer applications such as word processing and spreadsheets to input and extract data accurately, receive and send emails, and manage and maintain Outlook calendars for appointments are required.