Director of Social Services

Overview

Franciscan Village - Lemont, IL 

Exempt Position - M-F

Position Summary

In this role, you will be responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of policy, staffing, staff development, and budgeting of the Social Services Department.  The Director of Social Services performs case management duties to meet the psychosocial needs of the in-house resident population and their families in accordance with current existing federal, state and local standards as well as community specific policies and procedures. 

Essential Functions, Key Duties, & Responsibilities

Assessment

• Assess residents, including mood, behavior and psychosocial issues, family relationships, coping mechanisms, reactions to institutional placement, and assessment of level of care requirements.
• Work in collaboration with physicians and other health care personnel in resident evaluation and treatment.
• Participate in resident assessment campus wide and implement social service care plan.

Planning

• Participate in planning related to the interests of the community and the services and needs of the residents.
• Obtain resources from community social, health and welfare agencies to meet the needs of the resident.
• Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plans for social treatment.
• Refer residents/families to appropriate social service agencies when the community does not provide the services or needs of the resident.
• Involve the resident/family in planning social service programs when possible.
• Coordinate social service functions with other departments as necessary.             

Implementation

• Supervise associates and coordinate activities of the department.
• Maintain compliance with all State and Federal regulations.
• Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures.
• Standardize the methods in which work will be accomplished.
• Provide casework services to residents, family members and other interested parties when applicable during admissions, continued stay and discharge, and in group and individual settings.
• Implement policies and procedures for the identification of medically related social and emotional needs of the resident.
• Implement and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the social services provided to residents.
• Help residents and families through individual or group conferences to understand, accept, and follow medical recommendations.
• Counsel residents and families on Resident Rights and Responsibilities, Advance Directives and Medicare/Medicaid programs.
• Assist with re-admission from acute care and other facilities.
• Provide services planned to restore resident to optimum social and health capacity.
• Provide appropriate referrals to community agencies during application process, continued stay and discharge.
• Develop and maintain liaison with the Department of Public Aid representatives.
• Assist residents and families with Public Aid conversions as needed.
• Lead educational and therapeutic support groups with residents and/or families.
• Responsible for ongoing meeting of Family Council and to act in capacity of liaison.
• Provide back-up support for the Admissions process.

Documentation

• Document on charts, resident care forms, etc. on a timely and concise basis and ensure that all documentation is informative and descriptive.
• Complete the social history/assessment on each resident upon admission and follow through with an annual update.
• Assist in obtaining a DON/OBRA screen.
• Submit appropriate Notices of Non-Coverage (ABNs) and Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) to residents or their responsible parties.
• Complete pre-admission assessment of prospective residents and readmissions utilizing the Senior Lifesteps assessment tool.
• Provide administration with written reports, accomplishments, project updates, and planned projects.
• Maintain a reference library of written material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality social services.
• Complete any needed assessments (MDS data, social histories, NOMNC).
• Assist the Infection Control team in identifying, evaluating and classifying routine job related social functions to ensure that tasks involving potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.
• Compose written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the social service department.
• Review departmental complaints and grievances from family, residents and personnel and make written reports, following the community’s established procedures.        

Systems Improvement

• Instruct staff regarding resident psychosocial needs through in-service training.
• Educate healthcare personnel on residents’ significant social and emotional factors.
• Participate in planning for improving community services by interpreting social factors pertinent to the development of new programs.
• Conduct staff meetings and in-service education programs.

Team Participation

• Establish and maintain a good, communicable working relationship with all the other departments and within the facility.
• Attend meetings, etc., as needed.
• Accept referrals and provide consultation with in-house staff regarding residents psychosocial needs.
• Serve on Quality Assurance and Ethics Committees.
• Serve as a member of the Administrative Staff with on-call responsibilities.
• Meet with Administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning social service programs and activities.
• Interpret social, psychological and emotional needs of the resident/family to the medical staff, attending physician and other resident care team members.
• Work with designated staff to ensure Advance Directive data is completed when needed.
• Complete and coordinate Care Plan calendar schedule for assigned caseload with Care Plan Team and families.
• Assist the Quality Assurance Committee and Staff Development Coordinator in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
• Participate in community surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• Attend and participate in the Utilization Review Committee functions as required or as may be necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and procedures and any updates.

Position Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related field

Licenses/Certifications: N/A

Experience: 2 years of social services experience in a long-term care setting (preferred)

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Travel: N/A

Min

Max

Salary : $60,000 - $80,000