Full Time Social Services Assistant

General Purpose:

To assist the Director of Social Services in acting as a liaison and representative of the residents’ social interests and to assist in planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating and directing the overall operation of the Social Services Department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards governing the facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to ensure that the medically-related emotional and social needs of the residents are met and maintained on an individual basis.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Completion of secondary education at an approved school of Social Work and/or nursing
• Must read, write, speak and understand English
• Previous experience or completion of appropriate training program
• Patience, tact, enthusiasm and positive attitude toward the elderly

Main Job, Tasks and Responsibilities:

Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, supervising and directing the social services programs and activities; consult with and coordinate social services activities with administration, medical and nursing services, consultants and other related departments and assist in implementing changes as required; assist in all aspects of the admission process; obtain residents’ social histories and evaluate social and family information; assist in determining plans for social treatment and interpreting residents’ social, psychological and emotional needs to medical staff and other resident care team members; participate in community planning, development and implementation of social care plans, resident assessments and discharge planning to meet the needs of the facility, the residents and their families; assist in coordinating the social services programs with the residents, their families, staff members and community agencies through interviews, consultations and direct involvement in the programs; and, provide information to residents and their families concerning available support agencies and financial assistance programs to meet the needs of the residents.

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

Walking, bending, sitting, lifting, grasping, fine hand coordination, ability to read and write in English, ability to communicate with residents, families, personnel and support agencies, ability to evaluate and interpret information, ability to hear and ability to remain calm in a busy environment.

Quality Assurance Functions/Duties:

Assist in developing for each resident a preliminary and comprehensive assessment and written care plan that identifies the emotional and social problems and/or needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem and/or need identified; encourage residents to participate in the development and review of care plans; assist in ensuring that all care plan team members are aware of the care plans and that care plans are used in providing daily social services to the resident; participate in assessing, reviewing and revising care plans as required, at least quarterly; and, assist in ensuring that quality control measures are continually maintained.

Residents’ Rights Functions/Duties:

Maintain resident confidentiality; treat residents with kindness, dignity and respect; know and comply with Residents’ Rights rules; monitor social services to ensure that residents’ emotional and social needs are met; assist in ensuring that all personnel are knowledgeable concerning residents’ emotional and social needs; and, assist in reviewing, promptly reporting to the Administrator and maintaining written records of all resident complaints and grievances.

Staff Development Functions/Duties:

Maintain professional competence through participation in regular in-service programs and seminars as deemed by director to be necessary for ongoing staff development; attend and participate in leadership and outside training programs; and, attend, participate and practice in the Infection Control and Universal Precautions training programs and protocols prior to reporting for work assignments.

Safety and Sanitation Functions /Duties:

Assist in developing, implementing and maintaining procedures for reporting hazardous conditions, equipment and exposures to blood and body fluids.

All other Duties as Assigned