Nursing Home Social Services Reference/Introduction to Social Services/Typical Job Description

Typical Job Description (Annotated) This job description for a Social Services Director was taken from Indeed and is anonymized as an example. Position Description Responsible for planning, developing, organizing, evaluating and directing the overall operation of the Social Services department in accordance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and in compliance with Federal, State, and Local guidelines and regulations, company policies and procedures, and governing agencies. [Notice the long list of regulations that a Social Services employee needs to be aware of as well as the ethics standard.] Responsible for fostering a climate, policies and routines that enable residents to maximize their individuality, independence and dignity. This climate should provide residents with the highest practical level of physical, mental and psychosocial well-being and quality of life. Responsible for identifying psychosocial, mental and emotional needs along with providing, developing, and/or aiding in the access of services to meet those needs. [This implies skills at community building, cultural development and change, policy review and creation as well as behavioral planning. Also required is a good understanding of the talents of individual residents and the possibility of the kinds of community that can be created within the constraints of the facility and the individuals that live there.] Qualifications Certified, licensed, or registered in the state of practice, required. [This is a flexible requirement; few candidates will have LCSWs, some will have LSWs, and many might have various certificates of geriatric studies (See Appendix/Certificates). Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services field, including but not limited to Sociology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology from an accredited school of social work, required. [Most other Human Services degrees may be accepted including Public Health, Nursing, Gerontology.] One year of supervisory social work experience in a healthcare setting working directly with geriatric individuals. Minimum of 2 years of nursing experience in a Skilled Nursing Facility preferred. Principal Responsibilities Plans, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs a comprehensive Social Services program. [This includes schedules for reviews, assessments, care conferences, psychpharm meetings and other duties as assigned.] Assist the Social Service Consultant in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing of the social service programs of the facility; Participates in reviewing and setting policies concerning resident care and quality of life; Participates in developing facility social work policies. Prepares Social Services department for annual survey. Works with Social Services staff, interdisciplinary team, and administration to promote and protect resident rights and the psychological well-being of all residents/residents. Prevents and addresses resident/resident abuse as mandated by law and professional licensure. Completes social history and psychosocial assessment for each resident that identifies social, emotional, and psychological needs; Completed relevant parts of the minimum data set (MDS); Utilizes the minimum data set to guide the care plan. Maintains accurate and timely documentation which complies with federal/state regulations, The Company Corporate policy, and specific center practices, including, but not limited to, Advanced Directives, Minimum Data Set, Social Service History and Assessment, Raps, Care Plans, Social Service Progress Notes, Behavior Tracking, monitoring of cognitive and psychosocial changes, PAS[A]RR and Discharge Planning documentation, and psych services. Supports each resident’s/resident’s right to self-determination; Documents resident/resident refusal of services offered; Informs resident/resident of any therapeutic alternatives to the refused service; Involves others, as appropriate, to help educate the resident/resident about the alternatives. Participates 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. Ensures or provides 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. Ensures or provides 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. Coordinates the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for appropriate home care services prior to the resident’s return to the community. As part of interdisciplinary care team, identifies discharge teaching needs; Communicates with center team members the estimated discharge date and updating Point Click Care; Makes referrals as needed for post discharge care to appropriate agencies and suppliers. Initiates and participates in completion of Discharge Transition Plan & Discharge packet materials and orienting the resident/resident and family around the process. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without notice. Employer 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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Another Job Description The Social Service Director is responsible for the counseling our residents as well as their family members as well as acts as a resource person to other program staff and to the facility in the area of counseling, family dynamics/interactions. Description: The primary purpose of the job position is to plan, organize, develop, the overall operation of the Social Services Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, our established policies and procedures, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis. Requirements for Success on our Team: LBSW or related degree required Detail Oriented Experience in skilled nursing preferred with an emphasis in discharge planning Excellent customer service skills; dedication and commitment to providing quality healthcare services Excellent ability to operate effectively and efficiently in an enthusiastic, patient- focused, work environment Critical thinking and problem solving abilities Experience with [named] EMR preferred but not required Good computer skills Self-motivated Able to meet firm deadlines for submission of Assessments, MDS and Care Plans Passionate about serving and caring for elders Team Player Responsibilities Include: Responsible for all functions and responsibilities of the social services department Responsible for completion of social service assessments Responsible for developing social service care plan and incorporate into interdisciplinary care plan Serve on the interdisciplinary care team Initiate discharge planning services to include home health services, medical equipment, transportation services and physician appointments Involvement in customer satisfaction and service recovery Come join an enthusiastic, resident focused team who share a passion for care and service delivery. Job Type: Full-time Experience: Social Services: 2 years (Preferred) Social Work: 2 years (Preferred) Long Term Care: 2 years (Preferred) BENEFITS 401K Annual evaluations Dental insurance Disability insurance Electronic documentation Employee appreciation events Health insurance Life insurance Modified Comp Paid time off Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance