Social Services Assistant

Social Services Assistant

Job Summary:

At Heatherdowns Care Center we're building together: Smarter. Long-Term. Care. We invest in people, not just positions. Through career growth opportunities, supportive leadership, meaningful relationships, and a culture of respect and empowerment, we help our employees thrive both personally and professionally. If you're looking for a workplace where your contributions matter, your growth is supported, and your work makes a lasting impact, you'll find it at [insert team name].

Responsibilities:

• Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the social service programs of the Facility.

• Participate in community planning related to the interests of the Facility and the services and needs of the resident and family.

• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.

• Interview residents and families to obtain social history.

• Involve the residents and families in planning social service programs when possible.

• Assist in arranging transportation to other Facilities when necessary.

• Refer residents and families to appropriate social service agencies when the Facility does not provide the services or needs of the resident.

• Provide information to residents and families as to Medicare and Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.

• Assist in the review and updating of departmental job descriptions at least annually.

• In the absence of the Director, assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the Social Service Department.

• Maintain a quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.

• Coordinate social service activities with other departments, as necessary.

• Make written and oral reports and recommendations to the Director concerning the operation of the Social Service Department.

• Assist in providing solutions for social and practical environmental problems including seeking financial assistance, discharge planning (including collaboration with community agencies), and referrals to other community agencies when specialized assistance is required.

• Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plans for social treatment.

Personnel Functions:

• Assist in standardizing the methods in which social services tasks will be performed.

• Maintain an excellent working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate social services to assure that daily social services can be performed without interruption.

• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the Facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

Staff Development:

• Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

Safety and Sanitation:

• Ensure that the Social Services Department's policy and procedure manual identifies safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that may result in bodily injury.

Equipment and Supply Functions:

• Ensure that MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the Social Services department.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions:

• Assist in developing preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the social service needs of each resident.

• Assist in developing a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies the problems and needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem and need identified.

• Encourage the resident and family to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care.

Resident Rights:

• Honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. Report such action to your supervisor.

• Abide by the resident's participation in treatment decision.

• Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident's clinical record.

• Report any complaints or grievances to the department supervisor.

• Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.

Qualifications:

• Must possess, as a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent.

• Must be able to understand the English language.

• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action in a timely fashion.

• Must be knowledgeable of supply practices, procedures, and guidelines.

• Must possess the ability to minimize waste of supplies, misuse of equipment, etc.

• Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing practices.

• Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.

People-Centered Rewards:

• Health benefits including Medical, Dental & Vision

• 401k with company match

• Early Pay via Tapcheck!

• Employee Perks & Discount program via NES

• PTO + Company Holidays + Floating Holidays

• $Referral Bonus Program$

• Mentorship Programs

• Internal/Upskilling Growth Opportunities

• Continued Education Loan Repayment Program powered by Clasp