Director of Social Services

Social Services Director
Heritage Grove Estates | Topeka, Kansas
Why Join Heritage Grove Estates?

At Heritage Grove Estates, joining our team means more than accepting a position-it means becoming part of an organization that values compassion, professional excellence, and the meaningful impact you make in the lives of residents and their families.

Supportive, team-oriented environment
Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development
Leadership that values collaboration and communication
Meaningful work advocating for residents and families
Opportunity to directly influence resident quality of life and satisfaction
Position Overview

Heritage Grove Estates is seeking a compassionate, organized, and experienced Social Services Director to lead the social services function within our skilled nursing community.

The Social Services Director is responsible for supporting the psychosocial well-being, rights, preferences, and quality of life of our residents . This position works closely with residents, families, nursing, therapy, dietary, activities, admissions, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to identify resident needs and coordinate appropriate services and interventions.

This role serves as an important advocate for residents and families throughout the resident's stay-from admission and adjustment through ongoing care and discharge planning.
Key Responsibilities
Resident Support & Psychosocial Services

• Complete psychosocial assessments for new admissions and update assessments as required
• Identify residents' emotional, social, behavioral, and psychosocial needs and coordinate appropriate interventions
• Develop and update individualized social services care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
• Provide residents with supportive interventions related to adjustment, grief, loss, family concerns, and other psychosocial needs
• Advocate for resident preferences, choices, dignity, independence, and quality of life
• Participate in resident care plan meetings and interdisciplinary clinical discussions
• Monitor residents for changes in psychosocial well-being and communicate concerns to appropriate members of the care team
• Support residents and families through difficult healthcare decisions and transitions

Resident Rights & Advocacy

• Promote and protect resident rights, dignity, privacy, self-determination, and freedom from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and inappropriate treatment
• Educate residents and families regarding resident rights, available services, and facility processes
• Serve as a resource for residents and families who have questions, concerns, or grievances
• Assist with investigating, documenting, tracking, and resolving resident and family grievances
• Escalate concerns to the Administrator and appropriate leadership when necessary
• Support facility processes related to allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation in accordance with facility policy and applicable reporting requirements
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of resident and family information

Care Coordination & Discharge Planning

• Coordinate discharge planning with residents, families, nursing, therapy, physicians/providers, and other interdisciplinary team members
• Identify appropriate community resources and services to support safe resident transitions
• Assist with referrals for home health, hospice, transportation, durable medical equipment, community services, alternative living arrangements, and other resources as appropriate
• Help residents and families understand available care options and resources
• Coordinate with hospitals, healthcare providers, community agencies, and other external partners as needed
• Assist in addressing barriers that could interfere with a safe and successful discharge

Family Communication & Resident Experience

• Develop positive and professional relationships with residents and their families
• Serve as a resource and liaison between residents, families, facility staff, and leadership
• Assist families in navigating concerns related to adjustment, care transitions, resident needs, and facility services
• Identify opportunities to improve resident and family satisfaction
• Follow up on concerns to help ensure appropriate resolution
• Collaborate with facility leadership to promote a resident-centered culture where individuals feel heard, respected, and cared for

Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete social services documentation in accordance with facility requirements and applicable regulations
• Complete assigned portions of the MDS and support the interdisciplinary assessment and care planning process
• Maintain appropriate documentation of psychosocial assessments, interventions, grievances, discharge planning, and resident/family communication
• Support facility survey readiness and participate in regulatory surveys as appropriate
• Participate in audits, corrective action plans, and quality improvement initiatives related to social services
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, CMS requirements, Kansas requirements, facility policies, and professional standards

Leadership & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Serve as the facility's primary resource regarding social services and psychosocial resident needs
• Participate in facility leadership and interdisciplinary meetings
• Collaborate closely with the Administrator, Director of Nursing, MDS, Admissions, Therapy, Activities, Dietary, and other department leaders
• Provide education and guidance to staff regarding resident rights, psychosocial needs, communication, behavior management, and related topics
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives
• Identify trends involving grievances, resident concerns, psychosocial needs, or discharge barriers and communicate findings to facility leadership
• Promote a professional, compassionate, and solution-focused approach to resident and family concerns

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, or another applicable human-services field preferred; education and qualifications must meet applicable requirements for the position
• Social Work degree and applicable professional licensure preferred
• Previous experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, senior living, healthcare, or geriatric services strongly preferred
• Knowledge of resident rights, psychosocial care, discharge planning, and long-term care practices
• Familiarity with CMS requirements, the MDS/RAI process, and skilled nursing regulatory expectations preferred
• Strong assessment, documentation, organization, and case-management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution abilities
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents experiencing varying cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical needs
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and sensitive situations professionally
• Strong commitment to confidentiality, resident advocacy, and person-centered care

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Care Cash Program
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement

Grow With Us

At Heritage Grove Estates, we are committed to developing leaders who are passionate about improving the resident experience.

As Social Services Director, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your expertise in resident advocacy, interdisciplinary care planning, regulatory compliance, discharge planning, and healthcare leadership while making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and families.
About Us

Heritage Grove Estates proudly serves the Topeka, Kansas community by providing skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care services.

Our mission is to make every resident feel cared for . We are committed to providing compassionate, individualized care while creating an environment where residents are treated with dignity and respect and employees are supported in delivering exceptional service.
Apply Today

If you are passionate about resident advocacy, family support, and improving quality of life for seniors, we encourage you to apply.

Join Heritage Grove Estates and help us make every resident feel cared for.
Equal Opportunity Employer

Heritage Grove Estates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Reasonable Accommodation

Heritage Grove Estates is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants requiring assistance should contact Human Resources.
Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout the facility and regularly interact with residents, families, and staff
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for varying periods throughout the workday
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and complete electronic documentation
• Ability to respond appropriately to resident, family, and operational concerns
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation