Social Services Director

Vernon Health & Rehabilitation -

• We are always looking for caring people with a passion for excellence - Join the Vernon Manor team!

We are actively seeking a compassionate and dedicated Social Services Director to join our Vernon Manor team!

Our staff are our most valuable asset. Here’s what they are saying about us -

Everyone on the team is so supportive of each other. Even the CEO knows my name and asks me how my kids are doing! This team is home for me.” –  CNA, South Bend, IN

I enjoy working so closely with the residents. They bring as much comfort to me as I do to them. This is a unique building with a great family feel.” –  RN, Gary, IN

What do we know makes us different? Here’s what you can count on from us!

Are you a driven to give your best to make a difference in the lives of others? Are you looking for an opportunity to join a team that will support your growth and champion your hard work and dedication? Then this is a great opportunity for YOU and we’d like to hear from you! As a Social Services Director ,  you will work closely with our team to provide compassionate and expert care to the residents of our facility. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

The Social Service Director will assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing and directing social service programs in accordance with current existing federal, state and local standards as well as our established guidelines and procedures in order to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the residents are met and maintained on an individual basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required.

1. Must have, or be willing to obtain, Social Services Designee Certification.

2. Verbal and written abilities necessary to communicate and work effectively with various levels of staff, residents, family members and the public, and representative of the various regulatory agencies, and for required written documentation or reports.

3. Able to evaluate reports, programs, systems, and other data against both judgmental and verifiable criteria.

4. Able and willing to work flexible hours, such as during a staff shortage or emergency situation.

5. Caring person with a desire to work with the frail and elderly.

6. Displays optimal intra and interdepartmental relationships.

7. Ability to establish and maintain optimum rapport with residents, family members and regulatory agencies.

8. Ability to utilize computers and other electronic devices for tasks such as timekeeping, in-servicing and documentation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. General Duties

a. Provide consultation to members of staff, community agencies, etc. in the efforts to solve the needs and problems of the resident though the development of social service programs.

b. Develop and maintain a good working rapport with other departments within the facility and outside community health, welfare and social agencies to assure that social service programs can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

c. Perform charting as necessary.

d. Record and maintain regular Social service progress notes indicating response to the treatment plan and / or adjustments.

e. Assist in making appointments for the resident / family as requested or appropriate.

f. Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plan for social treatments.

g. Work with emotional problems including assisting resident family with anxieties an stress caused by illness and admission to the facility, difficulties in copy with residual physical disabilities, fears related to helplessness and death and the need for institutional and specialized care.

h. Assist in providing solutions for social and practical environmental problems including seeking financial, assistance, discharge planning (including collaboration with community agencies) and referrals to other community agencies when specialized assistance is required.

i. Participate in the discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.

j. Obtain information concerning the president's personal and family problems, past illnesses, etc. by developing a Social Service Data Record.

k. Interview residents / families as necessary and in a private setting.

l. Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a report for the Executive Director indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.

m. Informs the resident / family of the resident's personal and property rights.

n. Assist resident with information concerning resident rights, living wills, etc.

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

p. Make routine visits to resident and perform services when necessary.

q. Maintain contact with the resident's family, involving them with progress reports when necessary.

r. Assist in interpreting social, psychological and emotional needs of the resident / family to the medical staff, attending physician and other resident care team members.

s. Assist in obtaining resources from community social, health and welfare agencies to meet the needs of the resident.

2. Administrative Duties

a. Meet with administrative, medical and nursing staff and other related departments in planning social services as directed.

b. Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms and reports as needed.

c. Arranges working schedules for social service department staff.

d. Other tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate or as may be directed by the Executive Director.

3. Communication Skills

a. Communicates with resident's communicates pertinent information and seeks assistance regarding resident care as needed.

b. Contributes in a constructive manner in staff meetings and Resident Care conferences.

c. Consistently communicates in a manner that demonstrates a positive and cooperative attitude.

d. Utilizes appropriate and professional body language.

e. Demonstrates receptively through active listening.

f. Consistently records on concurrent basis all observations and psychosocial needs of the residents indicated within the role of the Social Service department in the medical record and other forms as appropriate.

4. Role Involvement

a. Performs responsibilities under the direction of the Executive Director and in conjunction with other departments in a cooperative manner.

b. Uses time constructively and organizes assignments for maximum productivity.

c. Attends staff meetings and in-servicing.

d. Provides in-servicing on resident's psychosocial needs for staff.

e. Offers constructive suggestions to improve the system for delivery of resident care.

f. Manages conflict and frustrations in a positive and constructive manner.

5. Role Development

a. Demonstrates support of the philosophy of the social service department by adhering to policies, procedures and established standards of practice.

b. Develops a rapport with peers and co-workers that is conductive to effective resident care.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

1. The work environment is warm, well-lighted, open and subject to interruptions.

2. Exposure to blood, body tissue of fluids and / or toxic / infectious substances.

3. Exposure to hazardous waste materials, dust and loud or unpleasant noises.

4. Need to interact with staff members and residents from varying socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

1. Ability to endure prolonged walking, sitting, standing, use of pulling, bending, and stooping movements.

2. Ability to adapt to changes in daily work hours and schedule.

3. Able to handle stressful situations with residents, families and staff.

4. Ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods of time through duration of shift(s).

5. Ability to squat, climb stairs, reaches above shoulders, twist, bend and kneel repeatedly through duration of shift(s).

6. Ability to hear normal sounds within background noise.

7. Ability to speak clearly and make self-understood.

8. Ability to keep attention on task if routinely interrupted.

9. Ability to understand a variety of concepts / approaches.

10. Ability to remember tasks / assignments for a full shift.

11. Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled shift (overtime) when necessary.

SAFE WORK PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The safety of employees, residents, and visitors is of paramount importance to our facility. Our workplace safety program will be incorporated as the standard of practice for this organization. Compliance with these safe work expectations will be required of all employees as a condition of employment. Our organization focus will hold all employees accountable for safety performance equal with quality and production expectations.

Employees will be expected to :

1. Follow correct policy and procedures for department and facility Fire / Disaster / Missing Person Plan. Know the location of fire alarms and extinguishers.

2. Follow correct policy and procedure for hand washing.

3. Follow guidelines for proper method of lifting.

4. All doorways, hallways and areas are to be kept clear.

5. Know the location and purpose of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

6. Follow guidelines for department environment and safety measures.

7. Follow guidelines for safe handling, inspection, maintenance and storage of equipment. Report any malfunction of equipment.

8. Follow guidelines for safe handling and storage of all food items.

9. Follow guidelines for safe handling and storage of chemicals and supplies.

10. Follow correct policy and procedure for reporting of incidents : staff, residents, etc.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you may be required to perform. The omission of specific descriptions of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or can be considered essential to this position.

Join our Vernon Manor team today!

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud of our commitment to equal employment opportunity for all qualified job candidates and employees.