Social Services Director

Full Time Position - Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Position Summary:

In keeping with our organization's goal of improving the lives of the Residents we serve, the Social Services Coordinator ensures that the medically related emotional and social needs of the Residents are met and maintained on an individual basis and in accordance with current federal, state, and local regulations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

· Responsible for keeping up-to-date evaluation documentation on each Resident's activities at the facility which complies with Federal, State, and Local regulations.

· Attends scheduled care conferences and identifies and interprets psychosocial needs of Residents for inclusion in the care plan, addressing issues of schedule, treatment and environment that express and reinforce individuality and identity.

· Assists with the coordination, intake, admission, and Resident transfer within the facility.

· Coordinates the inspection of Resident's belongings to ensure they are properly labeled and inventoried.

· Attends Interdisciplinary Team and Unit Care conferences, Assesses Residents for psychosocial groups, and supervises implementation and documentation.

· Mediates issues that arise among Residents, families, and staff.

· Ensure completion of any required components of DPOA or guardianship paperwork.

· Coordinates services with psychiatric providers

· Coordinates services with OBRA

· Provides linkage with appropriate community resources by maintaining knowledge of other systems, making referrals, and identifying unmet needs (e.g., recreational transportation, adaptive phone equipment, etc.)

· Develops a comprehensive discharge plan in collaboration with Residents, Residents' families, multidisciplinary staff, and referral agencies.

· Provides informal counseling when needed to uncover any problems which might interfere with the Residents' socialization and participation in activities.

· Establishes, develops, maintains and updates filing system for the Social Services Department.

· Responsible for operating the Social Services Department within budgetary guidelines and limitations.

· Regular and reliable Attendance.

· Reports all hazardous conditions, damaged equipment, and supply issues to appropriate persons.

· Assure that established infection control and standard precaution practices are always maintained. Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and using equipment and supplies.

· Maintains the comfort, privacy and dignity of Residents and interacts with them in a manner that displays warmth, respect and promotes a caring environment.

· Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with Residents, visitors, families, peers, and supervisors.

· Answers and responds to call lights promptly and courteously when working in Resident care areas.

· Reports all Resident concerns to the appropriate department head.

· Attend and participate in departmental meetings and in-services as directed. Attends in-service and education programs.

· Understands Infection Control and follows the Company's Infection Control guidelines, such as hand washing principles, understanding of isolation and standard precautions, recognizing signs and symptoms of infection, demonstrating, and understanding of the process for identifying and handling infectious waste and cross contamination, maintaining personal hygiene, and complying with OSHA standards in the workplace.

· Promotes and Protects Resident Rights by assisting Residents to make informed decisions, treating Residents with dignity and respect, protecting Residents' personal belongings, reporting suspected abuse or neglect, avoiding the need for physical restraints in accordance with current professional standards; and supporting independent expression, choice and decision-making consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises one Social Worker.

Required/Desired Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience:

· Strongly prefer a degree in gerontology or a related field and at least one year of experience in a social services program for the elderly or related field. Required: Either LLBSW/LLMSW or LBSW/LMSW.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

· Requires knowledge of the skills necessary to conduct and evaluate assessments of the social and economic aspects of resident care and to identify and evaluate changes in mood and behavior, which affect their lives.

· Requires a working knowledge of the skills necessary to provide continuity in and coordination of Resident care.

· Must have knowledge of community agencies and other resources for making referrals for family and Resident problems.

· Basic business computer knowledge required.

· Requires ability to communicate effectively with staff, Residents, and families. Must be able to plan, implement and work with only minimal direct supervision.

· Must be able to write clearly and concisely in preparation of social histories and care plans.

· Must be a good listener and be able to display understanding and a helpful attitude toward the problems and concerns of the Residents with terminal illnesses and their families and others.

· Requires valid driver's license and reliable transportation to be able to attend court hearings and meetings at off-site locations as scheduled.