Social Services Director

General Purpose

To act as a liaison and representative of the residents’ social interests and to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of the Social Services Department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards governing the facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to ensure that the medically-related emotional and social needs of the residents are met and maintained on an individual basis.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or Human Services field. (for example Sociology, Psychology or Rehabilitation Counseling)** Social Work License is a required if Bachelor or Master Degree in Social Work is not obtained
• Must meet Federal and State required Certification/Licensure for intended facility as required
• Previous experience in healthcare preferred
• Ability to deal tactfully and positively with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agency personnel, and the general public
• Must have patience, tact, enthusiasm, and positive attitude toward the elderly and disabled
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English
• Must be capable of performing the Essential Job Functions and Physical and Sensory Requirements for All Job Functions as outlined below.

Essential Job Functions

Administrative Functions

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, supervise and direct the social services programs and activities.
• Ensure an ongoing quality assurance program, develop, and implement appropriate plans to correct deficiencies.
• Implement social service interventions that achieve treatment goals, address resident needs, link social supports, physical care and physical environment to enhance quality of life.
• Consult with, coordinate social services activities with administration, medical and nursing services, consultants and other related departments, and implement changes as required.
• Ensure that necessary forms, reports and progress notes are properly completed and contain informative descriptions of the services provided and the residents’ responses to the services.
• Participate in community planning, development and implementation of social care plans, resident assessments and discharge planning to meet the needs of the facility, the residents and their families.
• Coordinate the social services programs with the residents, their families, staff members and community agencies through interviews, consultations and direct involvement in the programs.
• Provide information to residents and their families concerning available support agencies and financial assistance programs to meet the needs of the residents.
• Provide assistance and support in the absence of family/responsible party, in assuring residents’ needs are met. (for example: burial arrangements)
• Maintain incident and accident reports related to behavior management and elopement.
• Maintain effective relationships and open communication with residents, families, staff, community and outside healthcare resources.

Quality Assurance Functions

• Assist in developing for each resident a preliminary and comprehensive assessment and written care plan that identifies the emotional and social problems and/or needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem and/or need identified.
• Arrange care plan meeting for family members or responsible parties.
• Encourage residents to participate in the development and review of care plans.
• Assess and evaluate residents behavior, collect data to evaluate psycho-social needs, determine risk factors for psycho-social deterioration and residents response to interventions.
• Ensure implementation of behavior management to staff, interpret and explain resident behavior to staff in a way that fosters understanding, facilitates treatment and respect for residents rights.
• Ensure that all social services personnel are aware of the care plans and monitor the care plans.
• Participate in assessing, reviewing and revising care plans as required, at least quarterly.
• 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.
• Ensure that quality control measures are continually maintained.
• Develop and maintain rapport with all services to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive care plan for all residents.

Working Conditions

• Interact with residents, family members, staff, visitors, government agencies / personnel, etc. under all conditions / circumstances.
• May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, staff, visitors, etc., under all conditions / circumstances.
• May be subject to frustrations in meeting work demands due to frequent interruptions.
• May be exposed to infectious waste; diseases, conditions, etc, including exposure to the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.