Qualified Social Worker

Qualified Social Worker

The Qualified Social Worker is responsible for supporting and carrying out the plan for the social services program for residents. The Qualified Social Worker will follow the established policies, procedures, objectives, and work standards to assure the medically related social and emotional needs of each resident are met on an individual basis and that the program meets or exceeds all state and federal guidelines. The Qualified Social Worker serves as a liaison between the community, resident, family/responsible party, and outside community.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assess and document psycho-social needs and pertinent social data about personal and family problems related to resident illness and care, and actions taken to meet resident needs.
• Attend resident care planning meetings and accurately complete social service documentation, including MDS and care plans in a timely manner, in accordance with community policies and procedures, state and federal laws.
• Assist in the inquiry process, move-in coordination, and paperwork completion processes. Conduct tours as needed and follow welcome procedures for all new move-ins.
• Visit all new residents upon move-in to introduce self, community, and review move-in packet, verify insurance coverage and inform of any extra costs for non-covered services.
• Make referrals, arrange transportation, and provide the necessary support to meet the psycho-social medically related needs of the residents.
• Provide a high level of resident engagement.
• Complete all required documentation pertaining to advance care planning to include assisting with completion of Advanced Directives per regulatory standards and compliance.
• Coordinate with residents, families, team members, and other outside agencies/providers for in-house services as needed and move-out planning activities.
• Aid family in support of resident experience in the community through counseling and problem-solving techniques.
• Establish and maintain a positive business relationship with referral sources.
• Act as a resident advocate asserting and safeguarding the human and civil rights of the residents and their families while fostering human dignity and personal worth. Ensure confidentiality of all resident care information is maintained. Review and explain Resident Rights and Grievance process. Investigate any resident vulnerable adult complaint and report as necessary to department of human services.
• Provide training and support to departments and team members regarding resident rights.
• Participate in room change decisions, prepare residents for changes, and inform families of the changes.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; maintains knowledge of and follows all company policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.

Other Duties:

• Position may require some outside travel.
• During emergencies or natural disasters may be required to be on duty for the duration of the disaster.

Requirements:

Master's degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and one year experience in a health care setting, OR Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology or related field and three years' experience in a health care setting, or Licensed Social Worker required by community and/or state regulations; or Licensed Vocational Practitioner with 2 plus years experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Experience working with the geriatric population preferred. CPR certification Ability to work effectively within a health care team environment. Possess a thorough knowledge of the federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines for social services, including HIPAA and resident rights. Possess thorough knowledge of MDS, care planning, and documentation processes. Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party payor sources, ability to explain financial aspects of care to responsible parties and facilitate processing of applications for medical assistance. Proficient in computer use, including internet, word, excel, with above average typing skills. Experience with EMR systems preferred. Knowledge of area referral sources and community resources. Ability to interact with the public in a professional manner as well as be able to work with a variety of people. Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Environmental and Physical Activity Requirements:

The daily responsibilities of this position constantly require effective talking, hearing, sitting, walking, and standing functions. This position often involves sedentary work where sitting is required most of the time, with occasional standing or walking. The position also often requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Must be able to perform activities with close visual acuity, such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, reading a computer screen, printed material. The functions of this position are conducted in a temperature-controlled environment and may routinely be exposed to communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, cleaning chemicals, dust, odors and a variety of different pets.

Intellectual/Emotional Requirements:

The occupant of this position must be able to perform the responsibilities of the position well under pressure. The position requires adaptability to performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure. This position requires the ability to deal with and find resolution to problems and maintain a productive working relationship with team members and may be interrupted frequently to meet the needs and requests of others. It also requires adaptability to fluctuate between priorities daily while being responsive to needs as they arise.

OSHA Category Classification:

Category III: Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, and Category I tasks are not a condition of employment. The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, although situations can be imagined or hypothesized under which anyone, anywhere, might encounter potential exposure to body fluids.