Director of Social Services - Pleasant Acres Care Center

**Under new management with Campbell Street Senior Living**

Job Summary:

The primary purpose of the Director of Social Services is to identify and provide for each resident/patient/patients' social, emotional and psychological needs, and to continuing development of the resident/patients full potential during his/her stay at the facility and to assist in the planning of his/her discharge.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

· As Director of Social Services, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

· Supervises Social Services Department Personnel.

· Has the authority to hire, review, assign, discipline and terminate.

Customer Service

· Demonstrates the Core Values of the facility when performing the role of the Director of Social Services, with resident/patients, family members, facility staff and medical staff.

· Displays flexibility, team spirit, compassion, respect honesty, politeness and accountability when dealing with resident/patients, family members and facility staff.

· Demonstrates an awareness of and sensitivity for resident/patient's rights in all interfaces with resident/patients and family members.

· Communicates effectively via open, straightforward communication ,including use of listening skills and by accessing the

· appropriate chain of command.

· Seeks validation of knowledge base, quality, decision-making and skill level by actively questioning when necessary.

· Participates in interdisciplinary communication activities; actively listens and actively contributes.

Administrative Functions:

· Plan, develop, organize, implement evaluate, and direct the social service programs of this facility.

· Assist in the development administering and coordinating of department policies and procedures.

· Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Administrator.

· Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

· Develop and implement policies and procedures for the identification of medically related

social and emotional needs of the resident/patient

· Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident/patient and family.

· Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident/patient assessments.

· Interview resident/patient/families as necessary and in a private setting.

· Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Administrator as required.

· Involve the resident/patient/family in planning social service programs when possible.

· Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary.

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

· Provide information to resident/patient/families as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident/patient

· Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in efforts to solve the needs and problems of the resident/patient through the development of social service programs.

· Assist in the review and updating of departmental job descriptions at least annually.

· Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the social service department.

· Maintain a quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.

· Review and evaluate the department's work force and make recommendations to the Administrator.

· Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.

· Delegate authority, responsibility, and accountability to other responsible department personnel.

· Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the social service department

· Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.

· Interpret the department's policies and procedures to employees, resident/patients, visitors, government agencies, etc.

· Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in social services that assure the continued ability to provide daily social services.

· Review and develop a plan of correction for social service deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide a written copy of such to the Administrator.

· Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in Identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related social functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood or body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

· Review departmental complaints and grievances from personnel and make written reports to the Administrator of action(s) taken. Follow facility's established procedures.

· Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

· Develop, implement and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the social services department

· Participate in facility surveys {inspections) made by authorized government agencies.

· Interview resident/patients, or family members, as necessary, to obtain social history.

· Assure that social service progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident/patients' response to the service.

· Maintain a reference library of written material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality social service.

· Involve the resident/patient/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident/patient.

· Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning social service programs and activities.

· Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Administrator.

Committee Functions:

· Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget Quality Assessment and Assurance, etc.) as required, and as appointed by the Administrator.

· Provide written and/or oral reports of the social service programs and activities as required, or as may be directed by such committee( s).

· Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of resident/patient discharge plans.

· Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to social services.

· Meet with social services personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis, and solicit advice from inter-department supervisors concerning the operation of the social services department, assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

· Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.

· Schedule and announce departmental meeting times, dates, place, etc.

Personnel Functions:

· Assist in the recruitment interviewing, and selection of social services personnel.

· Determine departmental staffing requirements necessary to meet the social service department's needs and assign a sufficient number of social services personnel for each tour of duty.

· Recommend to the Administrator the number and level of social services personnel to be employed.

· Schedule department work hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work assignments, etc., to expedite work.

· Delegate administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to other social services personnel as deemed necessary to perform their assigned duties (i.e., Social Worker, Social Service Designee, etc.).

· Counsel/discipline social services personnel as requested or as necessary.

· Terminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the Personnel Director and/or Administrator.

· Assist in standardizing the methods in which social services tasks will be performed.

· Review and check competence of social services personnel and make necessary adjustments/corrections as required or that may become necessary.

· Maintain a productive working relationship with other department Supervisors and coordinate social services to assure that

· daily social services can be performed without interruption.

· Assure that appropriate identification documents are presented prior to employment and that such records are maintained in the employee's personnel record.

· Make daily rounds to assure that social services personnel are performing required duties, and to assure that appropriate social service procedures are being rendered to meet the needs of the facility.

· Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures.

· Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and

incidents.

· Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.

Staff Development:

· Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling of timely in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job, • and ensure well-educated social services department

· Develop, implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the department, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.

· Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for the social services department

· Encourage the social services supervisory staff to attend and participate in outside training programs. Schedule times as appropriate.

· Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the social services department

· Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

· Ensure that all social services personnel attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood-borne pathogens standard.

· Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the social services department

· Ensure that the departments' policy and procedure manual identifies safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that may result in bodily injury.

· Monitor social services personnel to assure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

· Ensure that social service work areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.

· Ensure that all social services personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate

· dress codes.

· Ensure that social services personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

· Assist the Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques.

· Develop, implement and maintain a program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the resident/patients and personnel.

· Ensure that social services personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.

· Ensure that department personnel follow established procedures governing the use of labels and MSDSs.

· Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

· Ensure that department personnel performing tasks that may involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious disease, etc., attend appropriate in-service training classes prior to performing such tasks.

· Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.

· Report any exposure to blood/body fluids.

Safety and Sanitation:

· Ensure that admission personnel follow established safety regulations, to include fire protection/prevention, smoking regulations, infection control, etc.

· Ensure that admission personnel follow established regulations governing the use of labels and MSDSs for hazardous chemicals within the department.

· Ensure that admission personnel follow established ergonomics policies and procedures governing lifting techniques, repetitive tasks and the use of safety equipment and supplies to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.

Equipment and Supply Functions:

· Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department

· Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as may be required.

· Make periodic rounds to check equipment and to assure that necessary equipment is available and working properly.

· Check supply rooms to assure that needed supplies are on hand to perform assigned cleaning tasks.

· Ensure that all personnel operate social service equipment in a safe manner.

· Develop and implement procedures that ensure social service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

· Ensure that MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the social services department

· Develop preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the social service needs of each resident/patient

· Develop a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident/patient that identifies the problems/needs of the resident/patient and the goals to be accomplished for each problem/need identified.

· Encourage the resident/patient/family to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care.

· Assist in the scheduling of care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting.

· Ensure that all social services personnel are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in providing daily social services to the resident/patient.

· Review nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed. Report problem areas to the DONS.

· Review and revise care plans and assessments as necessary, but at least quarterly.

· Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.

Resident/Patients

· Maintain the confidentiality of all resident/patient care information.

· Knock before entering a resident/patients' room.

· Ensure that all social services personnel are knowledgeable of the resident/patient's rights and responsibilities including the right of refusal.

· Review complaints and grievances made by the resident/patient and make a written/oral report to the Administrator indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow facility's established procedures.

· Maintain a written record of the resident/patient's complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint

· Provide resident/patients with information concerning resident/patient rights, Jiving wills, etc. Explain as necessary.

· Participate in resident/patient/group council meetings as requested and provide support services to such council.

Expense Control

· Forecast needs of the department

· Assist in preparing and planning the social services department's budget for food, equipment, supplies, and labor and submit to the Administrator for review, recommendations, and approval.

· Maintain current written records of department expenditures and assure that adequate financial records and cost reports are submitted to the Administrator upon request or as necessary.

· Make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and/or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement

Education and Experience:

· Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Master's Degree in Social work preferred.

· Two (2) years equivalent experience in social work.

· Previous health care experience preferred.

· Must meet any state and/or Federal requirements for this position.

· Strong organizational skills.

· Basic understanding of computer technology, including email use.

· Must be able to relate positively and favorably to residents and families and to work cooperatively with other employees and personnel of other community agencies.

· Must have demonstrated skills in communication, documentation, assessment and social work methods techniques.

· Must have knowledge of State and Federal guidelines.

· Demonstrates self-confidence.

· Ability to work flexible hours, as admission responsibilities may dictate.

· Must be capable of maintaining regular attendance.

· Must be able to perform the Essential Job Functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Requirements:

· Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

· Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.

· Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

· Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

· Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with resident/patients, personnel, and support agencies.

· Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.

· Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

· Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 30 pounds to a minimum height of waist height and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry' such weight a minimum distance of 20 feet

· May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents/patients during emergency situations.