Director of Social Services

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Social Services

Salary: $85,000 to $95,000 Per Year

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Disability Insurance

• 401K

• Holiday Pay

• Paid Time Off

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Social Services Director is responsible for planning and administering social service programs. They supervise nursing home social workers and assist in developing facility policies regarding participation in community planning for health and welfare services. The Social Services Director plans and assists in research projects and is responsible for discharge planning/community resources.

Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Plans and directs a comprehensive social services program that provides counseling and other support services for residents and families.

• Consults with the Administrator and other department heads regarding interdisciplinary issues.

• Works directly with residents and families experiencing personal and environmental difficulties or concerns related to the resident’s physical or emotional condition.

• Ensures that medically related social services are provided to maintain or improve each resident’s ability to control everyday physical needs (e.g., appropriate adaptive equipment for eating, ambulating, etc.) and mental and psychosocial needs (e.g., sense of identity, coping abilities, and sense of meaning or purpose).

• Maintains a written record of the frequency and nature of the social service consultation and services provided or obtained.

• Performs an evaluation of each resident’s social needs. The plan for providing care shall be formulated and recorded in the resident's medical record and periodically re-evaluated in conjunction with the resident’s total plan of care.

• Collects pertinent social data upon admission of each resident to be placed in the medical record, including information about the personal and family problems related to the resident’s illness and care, and actions taken to meet the resident’s needs. Pertinent social data shall be made available to the attending physician and other appropriate staff members.

• Assists each resident with adjustment to the social and emotional aspects of placement, by including clearly defined Social Service goals/interventions in the care plan.

• Coordinates the interdisciplinary care plan team, schedules conferences in a timely manner, and invites residents/family members as appropriate.

• Acts as a liaison between residents, families and outside agencies, and the facility Administrator, to ensure that the resident’s rights are maintained.

• Assumes the roles and responsibilities of the Admissions department in the absence of the Admissions/Marketing Director.

• Functions in a management capacity and adheres to all policies/procedures of the facility as a representative of the administration.

• Performs administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms and reports, under the direction of the Administrator, and submitting such reports to the Administrator.

• Coordinates discharge planning, including the development of an organized discharge plan for all residents.

• Concerns themselves with the safety of all residents in order to minimize the potential for fire and accidents. Also, ensures that the facility adheres to legal, safety, health, fire and sanitation codes by being familiar with their role in carrying out the facility's fire, safety, and disaster plans and by being familiar with current MSDS.

• Ensures that residents and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere that recognizes the individual’s needs and rights.

• Performs other duties as requested.

Specific Educational/Vocational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field including, but not limited to, Sociology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Psychology. Master’s degree preferred.

• Must be a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Certified Social Worker (CSW) strongly preferred.

• Any other certifications required by New Jersey State Regulations are also necessary for this position.

JOB SKILLS:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.

• Knowledge of all governmental regulations relating to the Social Service Department.

• Strong problem-solving abilities.

• Provide annual verification of a negative TB skin test.

Performs Related Duties:

• Interacts with residents, families, visitors, and employees.

• Carries out other tasks as requested in situations where hands-on intervention/participation may be required.