Director of Social Services

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY:  The primary purpose of the Director of Social Services and Activities is to assist in planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the overall operation of our facility’s Social Services Department in accordance with federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, our established policies and procedures, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis. In addition, provides ongoing program of activities designed to meet, in accordance with the comprehensive assessment, the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review facility policies and procedures as part of the facility’s interdisciplinary team to assure compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Participate in reviewing and setting policies concerning resident care and quality of life.

• Participate in developing facility social work policies.

• Participate in quality assurance interdisciplinary team meetings.

• Understand and meet all government requirements for social service documentation.

• Document progress in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents.

• Work with the interdisciplinary team and administration to promote and protect resident rights and the psychological wellbeing of each resident. Prevent and address resident abuse as mandated by law and professional licensure.

• Work with residents, families, significant others and staff to provide support, information and organization for taking a more proactive role in self advocacy to improve quality of life/care for individual residents and those who live and work within the nursing home and the community at large.

• Complete a social history and psychosocial assessment for each resident that identifies social, emotional, and psychological needs.

• Participate in the development of a written, interdisciplinary plan of care for each resident that identifies the psychosocial needs/issues of the resident, the goals to be accomplished for those needs/issues, and the appropriate social worker interventions.

• Ensure or provide therapeutic interventions to assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs.

• Ensure or provide support and education to residents’/family members/significant others to assist in their understanding or placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services.

• Provide groups for residents’/family members/significant others as appropriate to their needs.

• Provide clinical interventions to address catastrophic events that occur during the resident’s stay in the facility.

• Coordinate the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for appropriate home care services prior to the resident’s return to the community.

• Educate staff regarding the role of the social worker in the facility and the psychosocial needs of the residents and their families/significant others including the problems of aging and disability.

• Educate staff regarding cultural diversity and each staff member’s importance when caring for resident. Educate staff regarding residents’ rights and how to recognize and prevent abuse, neglect and mistreatment.

• Educate residents and families/significant others regarding their rights and responsibilities, effective problem solving and the extend of community, health and social services that are available to them, including those necessary for effective discharge planning.

• Supervise students assigned to social services in accordance with the respective school guidelines and monitor and document the progress of their work.

• Group social activities.

• Spiritual programs and attendance at houses of worship.

• Provide opportunities for resident involvement in planning and implementation of activities.

• Creative Activities such as arts, crafts, music, drama and educational programs.

• Exercise activities.

• Promotion of facility and community interaction.

• Prepare, plan and coordinate a monthly calendar of activities.

• Oversight of Activity Aides.

• Train, and supervise volunteers when appropriate.

• Assess resident needs and develop resident activities goals for the written care plan.

• Encourage residents to participate in activities and document appropriately.

• Review resident goals and progress notes.

• Properly document MDS reports and progress notes.

• Participate with the Administrator in developing the activity budget, including creatively sourcing funds.

• Foster relationships of family members and community partners that may assist in supporting the Activity department.

• Attend care plan meetings, QAPI, and department head meetings as necessary.

• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or its equivalent.

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field is preferred.

• A minimum of two years’ experience in social services.

• Satisfactory completion of a training course for Activity Directors.

• 2 years minimum of experience in a social or recreational program.

• Long term care experience is preferred.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:   The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Required to sit, stand, bend and walk regularly; lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

• Visual and auditory ability sufficient for written and verbal communication.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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