Social Services Director

Description Department: Social Services Reports To: Administrator Position Summary The Social Services Director is responsible for directing and coordinating the medically related social services program in accordance with facility policies, accepted standards of social work practice, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The Social Services Director promotes the highest practicable physical, mental, emotional, and psychosocial well-being of each resident through assessment, care planning, advocacy, discharge planning, resident rights, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. Accountability: Administrator Essential Duties and Responsibilities Collaborate with the Administrator, consultants, physicians, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, community agencies, and family members to identify and address residents' medically related social service needs.

Assess, coordinate, and assist residents in meeting personal, emotional, financial, environmental, and adaptive needs that support quality of life and resident-centered care. Provide or coordinate counseling services for residents and families as appropriate, including adjustment counseling, crisis intervention, grief support, and referral to outside resources when indicated.

Assess, monitor, document, and address the psychosocial needs of residents throughout their stay, updating interventions as resident needs change. Maintain a current resource library of community agencies, governmental programs, healthcare providers, financial assistance resources, support services, and other outside resources available to residents and families.

Assist residents and families with transportation needs and coordinate transportation services as appropriate. Participate in resident assessments, Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments, interdisciplinary care planning meetings, and care plan development and revisions. Provide information to prospective residents, families, referral sources, hospitals, and other interested parties regarding facility services, admission requirements, resident rights, and available resources.

Obtain required information from prospective residents, responsible parties, healthcare providers, and referral sources to facilitate admissions. Maintain the facility waiting list and communicate with prospective residents and referral sources regarding bed availability. Complete and process all required state Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) forms and related admission documentation in accordance with state and federal requirements.

Coordinate and schedule resident admissions in collaboration with nursing, admissions personnel, and facility leadership. Participate in the admission process by assisting residents and families with orientation, adjustment, and completion of required social service documentation. Coordinate discharge planning from admission through discharge to promote safe and appropriate transitions of care.

Assist residents and families in identifying and arranging post-discharge services, equipment, community resources, home health services, outpatient services, transportation, and other needs necessary for a successful return to the community or transfer to another level of care. Administer and maintain the facility's Advance Directive program by educating residents and families regarding advance directives, documenting resident preferences, and maintaining required documentation.

Promote resident rights by ensuring staff, residents, and families understand applicable policies, procedures, regulations, and residents' rights while assisting residents in exercising those rights. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with government agencies, regulatory surveyors, hospitals, physicians, community organizations, referral sources, advocacy groups, healthcare providers, and other community partners on behalf of Cavalier Healthcare.

Demonstrate knowledge of and comply with facility policies regarding fire safety, emergency preparedness, sanitation, infection prevention, bloodborne pathogens, Hazard Communication (Haz. Com), and workplace safety. Attend, coordinate, and provide in-service education programs related to resident rights, abuse prevention, psychosocial care, discharge planning, dementia care, customer service, and other topics as indicated.

Recognize, prevent, and immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment of residents in accordance with facility policies and applicable regulations. Promote and maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and therapeutic environment that supports resident dignity, independence, and quality of life.

Schedule resident appointments as needed and coordinate with nursing, transportation, physicians, specialists, and outside providers. Serve as an active member of the interdisciplinary team by placing residents' needs, preferences, dignity, and well-being as the highest priority. Attend required facility meetings, department meetings, care conferences, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) meetings, Resident Council meetings, and other interdisciplinary meetings as assigned.

Maintain an accurate resident complaint and grievance log, document investigations and corrective actions taken, communicate outcomes as appropriate, and ensure grievances are resolved in accordance with facility policy and regulatory requirements. Assist with planning, coordinating, documenting, and following up on Resident Council meetings, including communicating resident concerns to facility leadership and monitoring corrective actions.

Assist with survey preparation, regulatory compliance activities, Plans of Correction, and quality improvement initiatives related to social services and resident rights. Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation in the medical record and social services files in accordance with CMS regulations, HIPAA, and facility policy.

Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Administrator or designee.

Requirements

Hold/handle Lift Carry Climb Reach – at and below shoulder height Push/pull Grasp and handle – pens, paperwork and small equipment Sit, stand and walk Twist, bend, stoop, kneel and squat Fine hand motor coordination Ability to read and write legibly Ability to give and follow instructions COGNITIVE AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: Talking: Communicating with residents, families, physicians, visitors and staff Hearing: To communicate on the phone effectively, Taking instructions from the Administrator, To respond to resident complaints and requests, To respond appropriately to disaster instructions and pages Sight: For performing job effectively and correctly Hearing: For accurate detection and maintenance of facility odors LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS: Must have four (4) year degree in Social work or related field and eligible for licensure in the state in which the facility is located and in good standing with the state, or work under the supervision of a qualified Consultant.

SUMMARY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE: Tasks and procedures performed by the employee involve risks classified by C.D.C. as Category III. (No contact with blood or other bodily fluids to which universal precautions apply, if regular duties are performed.) Other Considerations and Requirements: Must be able to tolerate a high pace as typical for a nursing facility.

Must be able to take and give instructions well and enjoy working with the elderly. Although employee is required to sit for prolonged periods of time, he/she must also be able to tolerate prolonged standing and walking.

BENEFITS

Tuition Reimbursement Paid Time Off Health Insurance Vision Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Opportunities for Advancement