Social Services Director

Social Services Director This position is part of the Social Services Department and reports to the Nursing Home Administrator. The Social Services Director oversees the development, implementation, supervision, and ongoing evaluation of the Social Services Department, ensuring services are provided in compliance with state and federal regulations. Job Summary Department: Social Services Reports to: Nursing Home Administrator Reporting to this Position: Social Worker, Social Services Designee Job Classification: Department Manager FLSA Classification: Exempt Position Purpose: Plans, organizes, supervises and directs all administrative and operational activities of the Social Services Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and the facility’s established policies and procedures. Required Qualifications All facilities must provide medically related social services to residents. In the state of Connecticut, a skilled nursing facility is required to employ qualified social work service staff in accordance with Connecticut Regulations (Conn. Agencies Regs § 19‑13‑D8t). The social services department must be directed by a qualified professional social worker who has: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or another human services field to include, but not limited to, sociology, gerontology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, or psychology. One year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals. Major Duties and Responsibilities The Social Services Director is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, supervision and ongoing evaluation of the Social Services Department designed to meet and assist residents in attaining or maintaining their highest practicable well‑being. This includes identifying the need for medically related social services and ensuring that these services are provided in accordance with State and Federal regulations. The Social Services Director will complete and/or direct the completion of the social services component of the comprehensive assessment, contribute to and/or direct social services goals and approaches to the comprehensive care plan, and individualize goals and interventions to match residents’ skills, abilities, and interests/preferences in compliance with regulations. Directing the Social Services department includes overseeing preadmission services for inbound residents, participating in interdisciplinary evaluation of residents’ needs for institutional care, and completing the PASARR Level I. The Social Services Director will facilitate residents’ safe transition back into the community through interdisciplinary discharge planning and arrangement of community-based services and follow-up care. The Director will also assist residents and their representatives in locating and accessing financial, legal, and other community resources. The Social Services Director will coordinate implementation and oversight of procedures to ensure social services actions and interactions are adequately documented in each resident’s medical record, maintaining legal, ethical, and professional standards of practice. The Social Services Director is responsible for overseeing the establishment of departmental QA procedures and modifying those procedures where appropriate. The Social Services Director will oversee Advance Care Planning for each resident upon admission and ensure Advance Directives are reviewed with the resident/representative regularly. The Director will ensure staff members are aware of residents’ code status and end‑of‑life wishes, and will assist with informing and educating residents and their representatives about health care options and ramifications. The Social Services Director will assist residents in voicing and obtaining resolutions to grievances, reviewing complaints and grievances, and reporting actions taken to resolve them, tracking trends, and reporting findings as part of the facility’s QAPI program. The Social Services Director will participate in facility policy development to positively impact the quality of care delivered to residents. The Social Services Director ensures that staff members are knowledgeable about Resident’s Rights and encourages staff to maintain and enhance each resident’s dignity, advocating for residents and assisting them in asserting their rights. When there is an allegation of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation, the Director reports to the Administrator and appropriate State agency and leads a thorough investigation. The Social Services Director ensures that residents who display mental illness or psychosocial difficulties, such as coping with grief and loss, have access to appropriate treatment and resources. Additional Assigned Tasks Treats all residents with dignity and respect. Promotes and protects all residents’ rights. Establishes a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility policies and procedures. Complies with standards of business conduct, and state/federal regulations and guidelines. Follows appropriate safety and hygiene measures at all times to protect residents and themselves. Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, including verbal, written, and electronic communications. Reports noncompliance with policies, procedures, regulations, or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel. Reports any retaliation or discrimination to the Administrator. Reports any allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, exploitation, or mistreatment of residents to supervisor and/or Administrator. Protects residents from abuse and cooperates with all investigations. Reports any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy. Participates in all life safety and emergency drills and training. Fulfills responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility’s emergency plan. Reports work‑related injuries and illnesses immediately to supervisor. Follows established infection control policies and procedures. As a condition of employment, completes all assigned training and skills competency. Interviews residents and/or their responsible party to obtain the resident’s social history. Makes arrangements for residents to obtain items such as clothing and personal care supplies. Assists residents in obtaining transportation to medical appointments, upon discharge, etc. Acts as a resource for staff participating in behavioral interventions with residents. Participates in Resident and/or Family Council as needed or requested. Assists with, or arranges for, a resident’s communication of needs through the resident’s primary method of communication or in a language that the resident understands. Participates with the Administrator in developing a budget. Contributes to the facility efforts to maintain and/or improve quality of care through participation in the following: Attend Care Plan meetings. Serves as a member of the QAPI Committee. Attends Department Head/Stand‑Up Meetings. Attends mandatory in‑services. Successfully completes the facility required training, and any Social Work continuing education and licensing requirements. Personal Skills and Traits Desired / Physical Requirements / Working Conditions Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork. Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action. Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public. Must have patience, tact, and willingness to deal with difficult residents, family and staff. Must be able to relay information concerning a resident’s condition. Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. Meets general health requirements according to facility policy, including medical and physical exams and checking immunity status to various infectious diseases. Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary. Ability to assist in evacuation of residents during emergency situations. Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, perform overhead lifting and perform other common physical movements as needed for the position. May be subject to falls, burns from equipment, and/or odors throughout the day, encounter reactions from dust, tobacco smoke, disinfectants, and other air contaminants. Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases and/or conditions which include AIDS, Coronavirus, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis. May be subject to hostile or emotional residents, family members, visitors or personnel. Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to exercise judgement. Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations. Resourcefulness. Strong leadership skills. Positive attitude. Ability to coordinate and conduct meetings, set and achieve goals. Ability to be organized and efficient. Basic computer skills. Salary Range $60,000-$70,000/Annually #J-18808-Ljbffr Church Homes Incorporated dba Avery Heights/Noble Horizons