Certified Social Worker

Job Description

Job Description

Must Speak Spanish and English

Qualification of Social Workers: All social workers shall be licensed and certified by: The N.J. State Board of Social Workers.

Provision of Social Work Services

Designation of Social Worker: We provide social work services on site under the direction of a licensed or certified social worker, designed to provide Participants and caregivers assistance with family, personal and adjustment issues as they relate to the Participant plan of care.  The Social Worker is designated in writing by the Governing Authority and is master’s degree prepared in social work from a graduate school of social work, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or, possesses a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a college or university approved by a state department of education with a major in social work, psychology or counseling and at least one year of full time social work experience in a licensed health care facility. The Social Worker is not required to be at the Center full time. The social worker provides social work services for at least thirty (30) minutes per week per Participant, calculated on the basis of the daily census and is responsible for the direction, provision and the quality of the social work service. 

The Social Worker is responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

1. Developing and implementing written objectives, policies, a procedure manual, an organizational plan and a quality assurance program for the social work service;
2. Participating in planning and budgeting for the social work service;
3. Ensuring that services are provided as specified in the social work portion of the Participant plan of care and are coordinated with other Participant care services to provide a continuum of care for the Participant;
4. Assisting in developing and maintaining written job descriptions for social work service personnel and assigning duties based upon education, training, competencies and job descriptions; and
5. Participating in staff education activities and providing consultation services to facility personnel.

In accordance with written job descriptions, the social worker is responsible for providing Participant care, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Assessing the social care needs of the Participant, preparing the social work portion of the Participant plan of care on the basis of the assessment, providing services, including counseling, as specified in the social work portion of the Participant plan of care, reassessing the Participant and revising the social work portion of the Participant plan of care and documenting each of these activities in the Participant’s medical record;
2. Participating as part of the multidisciplinary team in developing, implementing, reviewing and revising the Participant plan of care;
3. Writing clinical and progress notes; and
4. Discharge planning.

Home assessments/interviews are conducted by the social worker which include financial, medical, social, psychological and home characteristics of the Participant.  (2/1/06 – May be completed at facility)

The social care assessment is initiated prior to or upon admission, after an initial interview with the Participant and/or the Participant representative and includes:

Social history, Family background, Education, Employment history, Interests, Activities, Organizational memberships, Psycho-social functioning, Relationship with family and friends, and Long term care planning/discharge planning.

The Social Worker assists Participants and families/caregivers in identifying problems, formulating resolutions, utilizing available community resources and health services and generally acting as the Participant advocate in maintaining/achieving independence and community living.  In the event the Participant requires a higher level of care than offered at the Center, the social worker assists the Participant and the Participant representative with placement/available resources.  Community/health resources available to the Participant may include: Senior centers/clubs, County agencies (mental health, aging, public health, social services, Agencies for the blind, deaf, disabled, Clinics, Alzheimer’s Association, Visiting nurse, Hospitals, Assisted living, and Nursing home.

The social worker is available as needed to counsel Participants, staff, families and caregivers.

Caregiver support groups are managed by the social worker on a quarterly basis or as needed and are designed to facilitate a better understanding between Participant and family.  Support, understanding and education are offered to the caregiver as well as to the staff and community.

EOE