SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGER

Position summary:

The Social Services Manager is responsible for developing, leading and executing the functions of the Social Services Department in order to assure the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident, and to address associated family issues in accordance with Maine Veterans' Homes policies and governmental regulations. Directly supervises the social services staff.

Job Related Responsibilities:

• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs the Social Services Department, its goals, objectives, programs and activities.
• Reports to the Administrator on the function of the department and actively participates in problem resolution.
• Recruits, develops and implements staff growth through on-going training programs. Conducts staff performance reviews in a timely manner and recommends merit/bonus awards.
• Accepts referrals and collaborates with other departments in the coordination of admissions. Provides social services input on admission eligibility and conducts pre-admission interviews. Assures that admission information is discussed and explained in lay terms, including contract between resident and Home, Resident’s Rights, Resident Council, discharge planning procedures and interdisciplinary team conferences.
• Obtains psychosocial histories and identifies social and emotional strengths and needs of the residents and provides services in attempt to meet such needs; provides information and referral to residents and their families on aging, illness, disability, losses, etc.; encourages the residents to participate in family, social and community events; and assists in arranging appointments and transportation.
• Participates in the Comprehensive Assessment and development of the care plans by the interdisciplinary team.
• Maintains contact with other staff members relative to the resident’s needs, and shares pertinent information.
• Participates in the assessment of residents on a quarterly basis or when there is a significant change in a resident’s status.
• Provides professional assistance to residents and their families with financial referrals (i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, veterans benefits, local welfare agencies and others) and assists business office in facilitating procurement of residents’ personal moneys as needed.
• Assures that residents who display psychosocial adjustment difficulty receive appropriate treatment and services to achieve as much re-motivation and re-orientation as possible.
• Maintains contact with the resident’s family and involves them in the resident’s care as appropriate.
• Informs residents and families/responsible persons of the resident's personal and property rights, and encourages and assists the residents to exercise these rights.
• Advocates for the rights of the residents and their families, and assures resident's privacy and confidentiality are protected. At request of Resident Council addresses resident’s rights, responsibilities and other issues as needed.
• Arranges and coordinates social services from appropriate community resources when a resident requires services that the facility staff is not able to provide.
• Assists in assessing need for transferring residents to other institutions/facilities for medical and psychological evaluations, interventions, and/or placement when these actions are deemed necessary; informs resident of placement.
• Participates in investigation and resolution of patient care complaints as assigned, in compliance with regulation and MVH policy.
• Prepares and maintains progress notes as needed, but at least quarterly, if problems are identified on the care plan in which the social worker is involved.
• Records significant events, interactions with, or on the behalf of, the resident, discharge planning efforts and referrals made to other agencies or community resources.
• Coordinates discharge planning, as directed by the IDT, including informing residents and families/responsible persons, arranging for transportation, food, clothing, alternative housing, evaluating the environment to which the resident is transferring, referral to appropriate supportive services and medical equipment at the time of discharge.
• Develops and maintains a system for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the department and prepares surveys, reports and other data to monitor progress. Coordinates social services policies, procedures, standards and responsibilities with Central Office.
• Completes paperwork and department documentation and records accurately, legibly and in a timely manner. Paperwork is completed according to policies and procedures, in compliance with state, federal, and VA regulations and accreditation agencies.
• Establishes and coordinates the department’s care delivery system, written policies, procedures, standardized methods, and responsibilities to best meet patient care needs, the facility’s needs, achievement of goals, and compatibility with regulatory requirements and accreditation agencies.
• Provides department fiscal management, including input on budget development, implements expenditures according to budget and MVH procedures, monitors for cost-effectiveness, productivity, volume, reimbursement changes, etc. Recommends major capital acquisitions with cost-benefit analysis.
• Ensures that product utilization is cost-effective, maintains value, and is customer appropriate.
• Keeps informed on social service trends, resources, procedures, and community resources; updates staff and departmental procedures accordingly.
• Performs other reasonably related duties as needed or assigned.

Maine Veterans’ Homes provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Must have a record of effective leadership and administrative skills, and ability to develop, organize and direct staff to provide quality services to the residents.
• Must be knowledgeable of federal and state laws, and VA regulations relative to Social Services for residential, skilled and long-term care.
• Must have professional knowledge of the methods and practices of social work.
• Must be knowledgeable of normal aging process, casework process, medical and public health settings, principles of public welfare, and a working knowledge of the social and health-related resources of the community.
• Position requires a Social Services Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university, State of Maine Social Work license, and at least three years successful social services experience in the long-term care or related field. Supervisory experience/training required.