Social Services Director - Healthcare Nursing Center

The Social Service Director has the responsibility, authority, and accountability for the functions of their specified unit during regularly scheduled hours.

Responsibility:

1.      Assess the social, psychosocial and discharge needs of each new resident.

2.      Perform unit rounds as assigned.

3.      Participate with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) in identifying resident needs and planning appropriate approaches for the care of residents, considering changes in the roles and responsibilities if the elderly and chronically ill, as well as identifying behavioral management problems, including placements in in-house specialized programs/groups, while considering normal age related changes in the elderly as well as principles of behavior management.

4.      Reassess resident needs and behavior management at scheduled intervals, quarterly, annually, and as the condition of the resident changes.

5.      Assess the potential for discharge of the residents to the community.

6.      Collaborate with interdisciplinary staff in planning for the discharge of residents.

7.      Communicate with the home health agencies or other social agencies to continue meeting care needs of the residents ready for discharge.

8.      Coordinate with the resident and family the services needed to maintain the resident in the community.

9.      Communicates the mission, objectives and vision of the facility to resident and family, by attending Resident Council meetings, when invited.

10.  Communicate with other departments by attending assigned meetings, daily census meetings, monthly department head meetings, and weekly social service/case worker meetings.

11.  Be invites to QI, Infection Control Committee, and Ethics Committee, as directed.

12.  Maintain standard of documentation in the resident’s record, including the initial assessment note, during MDS intervals, and as needed.

13.  Participate in mandatory staff in-service programs.

14.  Comply with all Federal, State and local laws and regulations, applicable to the social service department.

15.  Assist with the investigation of suspected abuse of resident’s as delegated by the Administrator.

16.  Assist in the orientation of new residents to the facility.

17.  Coordinate with outside agencies such as, case managers, insurance agencies, and the ombudsman and State and public guardians for the continuity of care.

18.  Assist the assessment of the communication needs. Provide a communication board in foreign language and/or pictures for non English speaking residents.

19.  Facilitate specialized in-house programs/groups for residents with developmental disabilities or severe mental illness.

20.  Assist with coordinating family conferences when needed.

21.  Educate and assist residents/families in executing Advance Directives.

22.  Referrals of residents and family to Hospice, self help, and workshops, etc.

23.  Coordinate with appropriate nursing staff the reduction of psychoactive medication, restraint reduction, and the management of inappropriate behavior that may occur during the reduction phase.

24.  Consult with psychiatrist, DON/ADON, Social Services Director, psychologist, family or other interested party in providing the appropriate behavior management program to meet the needs of residents.

Qualifications:

BA/BS in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, preferred

Experience working with the elderly in an inpatient or outpatient facility.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1.   Demonstrated critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, and time management skills.

2.   Commitment to the facilities’ philosophy of care, values and mission statement.

3.   Able to work independently with minimal supervision.

4.   Must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

5.   Willingness to work a flex schedule.

6.   Must be able to communicate with individuals on all levels.

7.   Ability to maintain confidentiality of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of      Information Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and HITECH   Guidelines.