Director of Social Services

LongTerm Healthcare Facility -

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES

OVERVIEW :

Identify and provide for each resident's social, emotional and psychological needs, and the continuing development of the resident's full potential during their stay at the facility and to assist in the planning for their discharge. Oversee the Social Work Department of a Skilled Nursing Facility.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct the social service programs of the facility.

Interview residents or family members as necessary to obtain social history.

Provide information to resident / families as to Medicare / Medicaid and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.

Refer resident / families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the services or needs of the resident.

Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished; collaborate with staff and other departments to develop workflow efficiencies and streamline business practices to reduce costs and eliminate waste.

Assist in developing and implementing department policies and procedures.

Review and update departmental job descriptions at least annually.

Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary.

Assure that social service progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident’s response to the service.

Coordinate social services activities with other departments as necessary.

Attend quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) meetings and help develop and implement plans of action to address identified deficiencies.

Develop and maintain a community and social services referral file of agencies and organizations that provide assistance to residents.

Interpret the department’s policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc.

Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations as well as professional standards and make recommendations on changes in facility policies and procedures to the Administrator.

Prepare reports and provide recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the social services department.

Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as directed.

Review and develop a plan of correction for social service deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide a written copy 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 procedures.

Committee Functions

Serve on various committees as directed by the Administrator.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

Complete resident assessments and attend care planning meetings in accordance with Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) guidelines.

Participate in care planning meetings and help develop goals and objectives that address each resident's identified problems and needs.

Ensure that social services components of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) are completed and signed on a timely basis.

Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of resident discharge plans.

Review nurses’ notes to determine if the care plan is being followed; report problem areas to the Director of Nursing.

Personnel Functions

Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished; collaborate with staff and other departments to develop workflow efficiencies and streamline business practices to reduce costs and eliminate waste.

Determine departmental staffing requirements.

Assist in recruiting, selecting and training department personnel.

Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.

Counsel / discipline department personnel as requested or as necessary.

Make daily rounds to assure that social services personnel are performing required duties and to assure that appropriate social services procedures are being rendered to meet the needs of the facility.

Review and check competence of social services personnel and make necessary adjustments / corrections as required or that may become necessary.

Schedule department work hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work assignments, etc., to expedite work.

Terminate employment of personnel when necessary; document and coordinate such actions with the Director of Human Resources and / or the Administrator.

Staff Development Functions

Develop (or acquire) and conduct in-service programs relevant to departmental staff.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

Develop and implement safety standards for the department.

Equipment and Supply Functions

Check supply rooms to assure that needed supplies are on hand to perform assigned tasks.

Make periodic rounds to assure that necessary equipment is available and working properly.

Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as required.

Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.

Budget and Planning Functions

Forecast and prepare the department’s budget for equipment, supplies and labor and submit to the Administrator for review, recommendations and approval.

Maintain current written records of department expenditures and assure that adequate financial records and cost reports are submitted to the Administrator upon request or as necessary.

Make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget and / or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement.

Working Conditions

Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility and its premises.

Moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, visitors, etc.

Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays and other shifts as necessary.

Is subject to callback during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

Attend and participate in continuing education programs.

Communicates with nursing, and other department personnel.

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke and other air contaminants.

Is subject to pressure from multiple / emergency calls.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste and pathogens.

May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or A human services field including sociology, gerontology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, etc.

Master of Social Work (MSW) or related field preferred.

Experience

Must have, as a minimum, two (2) year(s) social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals.

One to two (1-2) years of supervisory experience preferred.

Specific Requirements

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.

Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies / personnel and the general public.

Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever cognitive level in which they are currently functioning.

Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing social services.

Must be a member in good standing with state or national licensing and accrediting bodies.

Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Bilingual Prefered En