Social Service Director

Position Summary

The Social Service Director works with residents in the facility by identifying their psychosocial, mental and emotional needs along with providing, developing, and/or aiding in the access of services to meet those needs in accordance with federal and state laws for the long-term care industry and in accordance with Company policy and procedures.

Position Responsibilities

The Social Service Director shall exercise professional judgment in carrying out a variety of activities that maximize the well-being and quality of life of residents. Responsibilities of the Social Service Director include (but are not limited to):

• Promotes and maintains a focus of patient-centered care
• Adheres to laws, rules & regulations and practices ethical integrity and interpersonal skills
• Maintains compliance with long-term care regulations including federal, state and health regulations
• Responsible to the Administrator for the overall development and implementation of the Social Service program that aligns with excellence in patient care outcomes
• Has strong leadership abilities in change leadership, enforcing laws, rules & regulations, ethical integrity and interpersonal skills
• Review facility policies and procedures as part of the facility’s interdisciplinary team to assure compliance with state and federal regulations
• Develop, maintain and utilize a listing of current community resources that are useful to residents and their families/significant others
• Participate and contribute with quality assurance interdisciplinary team meetings
• Understand and meet all government requirements for Social Service documentation
• Document progress in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents
• Identify community changes and opportunities such as legislation, regulations and programs that affect nursing home residents
• Work with residents, families, significant others and staff to provide support, information and organization for taking a more proactive role in self advocacy to improve the quality of life/care for individual residents and those who live and work within the nursing home and community at large
• Complete a social history and psychosocial assessment for each resident that identifies social, emotional, and psychological needs
• Participate in the development of a written, interdisciplinary plan of care for each resident that identifies the psychosocial needs/issues of the resident, the goals to be accomplished for those needs/issues, and the appropriate social worker interventions
• Ensure or provide therapeutic interventions to assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs
• Ensure and provide support and education to residents/family members/significant others to assist in their understanding of placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to the appropriate Social Service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services
• Provide groups for residents/family members/significant others as appropriate to their needs
• Provide clinical interventions to address catastrophic events that occur during the resident’s stay in the facility
• Coordinate the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for appropriate home care services prior to the resident’s return to the community
• Educate residents and families/significant others regarding their rights and responsibilities, effective problem solving and the extent of community, health and Social Services that are available to them, including those necessary for effective discharge planning
• Promote and set the example for resident rights helping protect and enhance those rights
• Perform position duties in a manner as to assure resident safety and rights are priority
• Adheres to the facility corporate compliance program and promotes the program in a positive and effective manner
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment/shift setting

Other Responsibilities

• Follows facility OSHA safety rules and procedures
• Follows facility policies and procedures and adheres to federal and state regulations for long-term care
• Respects cultural and religious practices of patients
• Upholds HIPAA regulations
• Maintains a punctual and dependable attendance record

Position Requirements

• Bachelors degree preferred
• Current certification or licensure (as applicable) in good standing with the state board
• Minimum of (2) years LTC experience, preferred
• Federal, State, and MHI required credentials current and on file
• Cognitive skills as related to the position

Working Conditions

Because the nursing home provides round-the clock care, working hours may include days, nights, weekends and holidays. A Social Service Director works in a climate controlled and well-lighted environment with a smoke-free policy. Works in an office and walks throughout the building daily. Has a low risk of exposure to infectious diseases, but receives training in handwashing practices and has access to personal protective equipment if direct exposure is anticipated. Is subject to interruptions, noise, and odors daily.

Physical Demands

• Long periods of sitting at a desk and working on computer. Prolonged periods of standing, bending, and reaching
• Lifting and carrying continuously. The ability to lift up to twenty (20) pounds occasionally. Assistance in moving, lifting or transferring of patients may involve lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds occasionally.
• Fine motor skills
• Visual acuity

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift or move 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Physical Demand Ratings are an estimate of the overall strength requirements that are consider to be important for an average, successful work performance of a specific job. The overall physical demand rating for a Social Service Director falls within the medium classification (10 to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.