Social Services Director

Job TitleJob InformationDate Opened 04/06/2019Job Type Full timeIndustry MedicalCity AnaheimState/Province CaliforniaCountry United StatesZip/Postal Code 92801Job DescriptionResponsibilities/Accountabilities Leadership 1. Develops and maintains a good working rapport with intra-department personnel and meets with administration, medical, and nursing staffs, and other related departments for collaboration and planning. Administrative 1. Plans, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs a comprehensive Social Services program. 2. Recruits, interviews, selects, supervises, and evaluates, and directs a comprehensive Social Services program. 3. Coordinates and implements Social Services Orientation for new center staff. 4. Assists in determining departmental staffing and budgetary needs. 5. Communicates to the Administrator equipment and supply needs of the Social Services department. 6. Reviews departmental policies and procedures as part of the facility's interdisciplinary team to assure compliance with federal and state regulations. 7. Participates in Quality Improvement interdisciplinary meetings. 8. Ensures all government, organizational, and state specific requirements for Social Services documentation are met by all staff members. 9. Provides oral and written reports/recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the Social Services Department. 10. Prepares Social Services department for annual survey. 11. Serves as an active contributor in designated center meetings (Morning Meeting, Utilization Management, Customer at Risk, Care Planning, etc.). Advocacy 1. Works with Social Services staff, interdisciplinary team, and administration to promote and protect resident rights and the psychological well being of all patients/residents. Prevents and addresses patient/resident abuse as mandated by law and professional licensure. 2. Identifies and monitors changes and opportunities such as legislation, regulations, and programs that impact nursing home patients/residents. 3. Works with patients/residents, families, significant others and staff to provide support and information for taking a more proactive role in self advocacy to improve the quality of life/care for individual patients/residents. 4. Responds to issues identified by patients/residents and families to determine satisfaction with services. Clinical 1. Assures a comprehensive Psychosocial Assessment is completed for each patient/resident that identifies social, emotional, psychological needs and strengths. Assesses each patient/resident for discharge. 2. Completes or ensures that patient, family, and staff interviews are conducted for completion of relevant MDS sections (i.e. cognitive, mood, behavior, patient goal setting) and Care Area Assessments in accordance with regulation. 3. Assures and participates in the development of a written, interdisciplinary plan of care for each patient/resident that identifies the psychosocial needs/issues of the patient/resident, the goals to be achieved for those needs/issues, and the appropriate Social Services interventions. 4. Provides therapeutic interventions to assist patients/residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility including the social, emotional, and psychological needs. Oversees this provision by all Social Services staff. 5. Ensures or provides groups for patients/residents and/or family members/significant others as appropriate to meet their needs. 6. Provides support and education to patient/resident and family members/significant others to assist in their understanding of placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to the appropriate Social Service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services. 7. Facilitates patient/resident transfer throughout the center to ensure a seamless transition and patient/resident adjustment. 8. Serves as a mentor to Social Services staff when applicable and interdisciplinary team members in providing clinical interventions to address catastrophic events that occur during the patient/resident stay in the facility. 9. Serves as a resource and participates as part of the interdisciplinary care team to develop and provide interventions to resolve behavior or mood problems. 10. Serves as a resource to patients/residents, families/significant others, and staff for conflict resolution as needed. 11. Develops systems of collaboration with community based providers i.e. with behavioral health and hospice providers. 12. Ensures health care decision making process is implemented and in compliance with Genesis policies and procedures and state regulations. Discharge Planning 1. Ensures that patient/resident discharge goals are identified at admission and documented accordingly. 2. Works with patient/resident, family members/significant others, and interdisciplinary care team through care planning and utilization management throughout the course of the stay to identify strengths and needs to ensure an appropriate discharge plan is formulated. 3. As part of interdisciplinary care team, identifies discharge teaching needs. 4. Responsible for communicating to center team members the estimated discharge date and updating Point Click Care. 5. Makes referrals as needed for post discharge care to appropriate agencies and suppliers. 6. Establishes relationships and maintains contact and referral flow with community based agencies/services for discharge planning. 7. Initiates and participates in completion of Discharge Transition Plan & Discharge packet materials and orienting the patient/resident and family around the process. 8. May be involved in contacting patients/residents post discharge to ensure successful transition. Education 1. Educates staff regarding the role of Social Services in the facility and the psychosocial needs of the patients/residents and their families/significant others including the problems of aging and disability. 2. Participates in new employee orientation, including but not limited to educating staff regarding residents' rights and how to recognize and prevent abuse, neglect and mistreatment. Supports the Nurse Practice Educator in regards to staff education. 3. Educates patients/residents and families/significant others regarding their rights and responsibilities, health care decision making/advance directives, effective problem solving and the extent of community, health and social services that is available to them, including those necessary for effective discharge planning. 4. Attends and participates in continuing education and professional development programs Specific Educational Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of Social Work or related Human Services degree required. 2. Must possess any certifications/licensures as required by State of employment to practice in long term care. 3. 1-3 years of supervised Social Services experience in health care setting working directly with individuals preferred. 4. Additional certification such as Geriatric Case Management, Hospice & Palliative Care, Gerontology, Clinical Social Work, Health Care, Nephrology, Mental Health, and/or Substance Abuse preferred. 5. Management/administrative/supervisory experience preferred.