Social Service Director

Job Summary Full-time Social Services Director needed for our skilled nursing facility in northern Illinois. A four year college degree in a Human Services field of study, social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, etc preferred. The Social Service Director must be able to present themselves well in group settings and individual 1:1 sessions. An excellent command of the English language for both verbal and written skills is required. The ability to multi‑task is very important. Social Service Director candidates must possess strong leadership and time‑management skills and must have a strong desire to work with the variety and diversity of populations found in long and short term care facilities. Candidates with prior experience in long term care will be given preference. Salary commensurate with experience. The Social Service Director will work a full‑time schedule 8 hours daily with some weekends and some evening hours. The Social Service Director will participate in the Manager on Duty rotation. The Social Service Director must be able to accept and utilize professional direction, consultation and work harmoniously with their peers. There is a considerable amount of computer work as assessments are completed in the electronic medical record. Essential Functions Be available to welcome new admission residents, provide support and initiate a trusting/therapeutic relationship. Must be able to clearly assess and document residents’ identified feelings about LTC placement (short/long-term), emotional, mental, environmental changes or physical limitations verbalized by resident (or family), which includes any observed non-verbal communications. Become knowledgeable of each individual resident’s background, cultural, life history, disease, and medical care needs in detail to ensure an appropriate person-centered social service plan. Document interaction with and in-between resident and/or family in the assessment, care plan and/or social services notes in support of resident advocacy as required by the State standards of practice. Prepare a plan of care for treatment with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) based on the Comprehensive Assessment for each resident. Contribute as an integral member of the IDT on a continual basis and at the Resident Care Plan Conferences. This also involves documenting the social/emotional/mental needs related to the resident’s illness/disability, adjustment to placement, cognitive, emotional/mental (mood), psychosocial functioning and the absence/presence of any behaviors (verbal/nonverbal) within the supportive network, and his/her response to the treatment/rehabilitation/need for placement according to each individual residents’ case. Based upon these, the SSD will make specific recommendations to assist in the resident’s overall care and genuine well‑being within the care plan for the best IDT approach. Initiate, facilitate, and/or participate in the written discharge plan which states the resident’s specific need to be in the facility or if the resident is expected to be able to function in a more independent setting. The discharge plan should include consultation with other disciplines, the family and of course the resident. Make supportive visits to residents, writing progress notes at least quarterly, earlier when there is a notable change in condition. Provide good rapport through active listening with residents who express the need to talk and must be available to provide supportive counseling and behavioral intervention/programming as identified through oneself and/or community programming. Must assist the resident to participate in individual and/or group programs and to utilize these programs to full advantage when offered in order to empower residents for better quality of life. SSD must act as resident advocate, as well as a liaison between the resident and his/her family, the facility and community agencies. Maintain adequate record system for obtaining, recording, and filing of social service information. Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility’s Quality Improvement Programs. Participate in the facility safety committee, as assigned. Supervise, educate, counsel and discipline social service staff, as needed. Conduct, oversee, and complete initial and all on‑going assessments and MDS, CAAs and care planning initiatives, including but not limited to social, medical, cognitive, physical, neuro‑psychological, behavioral, communication abilities and spiritual needs (in conjunction with/at the lead of the Activity Department), amongst others as it relates to individual social service needs. Entering an initial assessment note in the social service section of the chart within 48–72 hours of admission, completing assigned sections of the MDS and CAAs, and completing the comprehensive set of social service assessments to be completed within 14 days of admission, re‑evaluation of the resident on a quarterly basis (sooner when a significant change/behavioral incident occurs), and a comprehensive re‑evaluation annually. Assessment, intervene, document and follow‑up with all behavioral incidents, as necessary. Complete all required documentation. Perform other related duties as assigned. General Benefits Paid Holidays Paid Sick Time Paid Time Off Retirement / Pension Plan Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Vision Insurance #J-18808-Ljbffr The Alden Network