Regional Director of Social Services

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Regional Director of Social Services

Reports to: Governing Board

Effective Date: 7/1/2017 Review Date: 10.13.2025, 06.11.2026

The Regional Director of Social Services provides leadership, oversight, and direction for the Social Services programs across all company-operated skilled nursing facilities. This position ensures compliance with all CMS, OBRA, and state regulations related to resident rights, discharge planning, psychosocial well-being, and care coordination. The Corporate Director serves as the primary resource and mentor for facility-level Directors of Social Services, driving consistency, quality outcomes, and person-centered care throughout the organization.

Core Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain corporate policies and procedures governing Social Services in alignment with CMS and state regulatory requirements.

• Provide guidance and support to facility Social Services Directors in completing psychosocial assessments, care plans, progress notes, and discharge documentation.

• Oversee and ensure the effectiveness of discharge planning processes to promote safe and appropriate transitions of care.

• Conduct regular audits, chart reviews, and facility visits to monitor compliance and identify areas for improvement.

• Assist facilities with preparation and response to state surveys, including plans of correction for social services–related citations.

• Serve as a liaison between Social Services and other corporate departments including Nursing, Admissions, Risk Management, Compliance, and Quality Assurance.

• Provide education and in-service training to facility teams on documentation standards, resident rights, grievance management, and trauma-informed care.

• Participate in interdisciplinary care initiatives and quality improvement committees to enhance resident experience and psychosocial outcomes.

• Monitor trends in survey outcomes, grievances, and resident satisfaction to inform corporate strategy and training needs.

• Assist with performance evaluations of Social Services staff at the facility level.

• Stay abreast of regulatory updates, industry best practices, and CMS guidance impacting psychosocial care in skilled nursing facilities.

• Establishes working relationships with community health, welfare and volunteer groups to promote cooperative assistance in meeting social needs of residents & families.

• Demonstrates kind, caring demeanor with resident, family and staff interactions

• Assist at Facility level as needed, including but not limited to assuming/assisting with the following duties:

  • Complete and document Social Work and Psychosocial assessments for all residents within 3 days of their admission or readmission.

  • Ensure 3877/78 forms are completed and accurate, upon admission and annually.

  • Ensure all new admissions and readmissions have a scheduled 72 hour Resident Care Conference. Additionally, you will notify the IDT by email of date, time, resident and if family will be attending. This goes for quarterly and annual Resident Care Conferences as well.

  • Complete MDS sections and the appropriate CAA’s.

  • Completes, reviews and updates Care Plans. Ensures diagnosis, and medications are accurately captured on the resident’s care plans.

  • Monitor the behavior log book and follow up on any new or changed behaviors noted.

  • Monitor high risk residents including but not limited to:

    • Psychiatric dx. And/or medications

    • Age 55 or under

    • Residents with communication barriers

    • Non-verbal residents

  • Attend the weekly Medicare Meeting

  • Attend the monthly QAPI meeting and have all your data prepared to speak on.

  • Coordinate care with the psych provider including medication management, medication consents, GDRs.

  • Coordinate all ancillary services, Dental, Ophthalmology, and Audiology the resident may need or request with the input of the DON and/or Administrator.

  • Educates residents & families related to Advanced Directives, completes the Advance Directive and Code Status form within 48 hours of admission.

  • Begins discharge planning for residents on admission & ongoing, working with all aspects of the interdisciplinary team to ensure an appropriate/safe resident discharge.

  • Provide resident/family with written information about the resident rights related to discharge including the appeal process.

  • Arranges DME & Home Care for residents at time of discharge.

• Other duties as requested/assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) required; Master’s degree (MSW) preferred.

• Active state licensure and certification.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in long-term care or skilled nursing social services, with at least 3 years in a multi-site, regional, or corporate leadership role.

• In-depth knowledge of CMS regulations, OBRA requirements, and state survey processes.

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

• Proven ability to develop and implement effective systems and training programs across multiple sites.

• Willingness to travel to facilities on a regular basis.

• Regulatory and survey readiness expertise

• Leadership and mentoring

• Quality assurance and compliance management

• Resident-centered care and advocacy

• Effective communication and conflict resolution

• Strategic planning and systems development