Program Coordinator

The Program Coordinator will assist in meeting the psychosocial, mental and emotional needs of residents along with providing or aiding in the access of services to enable the residents to achieve their optimal level of health and psychosocial functioning. The Program Coordinator also works with families of patients/residents to assist them in coping with adjustments due to placement of their relatives and assists the Social Worker with safe discharge planning of residents back into the community.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts initial admission assessment and interview with the resident and family to evaluate the appropriateness of placement and identify the need for special services.
• Completes psycho-social history for each resident's needs, including psychological, financial, cultural and family situation assessment.
• Communicates relevant information to IDCP team. Obtains resources from community, social, health and welfare agencies as needed to provide optimal care.
• Interpreting the residents right to family and staff.
• Advocates for the resident with personal and social problems involved with institutionalization.
• Facilitating needed communication with other disciplines on behalf of the residents, including medical, nursing, dietary, rehabilitation and psychiatric services.
• Coordinates and monitors needed available services for individual residents to assure optimum level of well-being and independence based on educational background.
• Provides consultation to members of staff, community agencies, and other person's or groups seeking guidance in efforts to solve the problems of residents.
• Participate's in community social welfare organization and planning as related to the interest of the residents and the Facility.
• Performs administrative tasks related to the job; i.e., time planning, recording, reports and other routines as required by the Social Services Department.
• Involve the resident, other disciplines, and administration as appropriate regarding matters such as a bed retention, room change, transfer and discharge.
• Interpreting resident's needs and behaviors and extending professional intervention to all levels of staff suggesting positive approaches, such as alternatives to the use of restraints and psychotropic drugs.
• Initiating and facilitating small group meetings of residents, family and staff and participating in interdisciplinary meetings and team conferences.
• Participating, if requested by residents, in the organization and on-going functioning of the resident councils, making social work staff available on varied schedules which would include weekends and evenings.
• Coordinates and facilitates the referral of residents for needed and requested services and outside resources not available in the facility.
• Coordinates the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for appropriate homecare services prior to the resident's return to the community.
• Organizing bereavement counseling for roommates, families and other affected individuals.
• Participates and assists in departmental studies and projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Experience: Previous experience in admitting procedures in a healthcare or Long-Term Care facility setting preferred.

Education : Master's or Bachelor's Degree in social work or in a related field and will work directly with a licensed Social Worker.

Licenses / Certifications:

Other: The individual performing this job may anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use of personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Special Requirements: N/A