Director of Social Services

General Purpose

The Director of Social Services oversees the planning, implementation, and coordination of social services for residents in a skilled nursing facility. This role ensures residents' psychosocial, emotional, mental health, and social needs are assessed and addressed through individualized interventions and comprehensive care planning. The Director promotes resident well-being, facilitates admissions and discharge planning, ensures regulatory compliance, advocates for resident rights, and serves as a leader and mentor for social services staff. This position works collaboratively with residents, families, physicians, facility leadership, and interdisciplinary care teams to support quality outcomes and person-centered care.

Responsibilities

Resident Care & Advocacy

• Assess and document the psychosocial status, emotional well-being, adjustment needs, and support systems of each resident.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized care plans that address residents' emotional, mental, social, and psychosocial needs.
• Provide counseling, support, and intervention services to residents and families adjusting to long-term care placement, illness, disability, or life changes.
• Serve as an advocate for residents' rights, dignity, independence, privacy, and quality of life.
• Assist with resolving resident and family concerns, grievances, and complaints in a timely and professional manner.
• Identify and coordinate appropriate community resources and supportive services to meet resident needs.

Leadership & Department Oversight

• Supervise, mentor, coach, and support Social Services Assistants and other assigned department personnel.
• Provide guidance regarding social services practices, regulatory requirements, and resident advocacy.
• Serve as an active member of the interdisciplinary care team and participate in resident care planning meetings.
• Promote person-centered care principles throughout the facility.
• Develop and maintain department procedures, workflows, and standards consistent with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with staff education and training related to resident rights, psychosocial care, communication, and social services practices.

Admissions & Discharge Planning

• Participate in the admissions process by conducting psychosocial assessments and meeting with residents and families.
• Assist residents and families in understanding facility services, policies, expectations, and available resources.
• Coordinate discharge planning activities to ensure safe and appropriate transitions to home, assisted living, rehabilitation, hospice, or other care settings.
• Collaborate with physicians, hospitals, home health agencies, community organizations, and other providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Facilitate family meetings and care conferences related to admissions, transitions, discharge planning, and resident concerns.

Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation of assessments, care plans, interventions, progress notes, and discharge planning activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS, OBRA, HIPAA, resident rights requirements, and facility policies.
• Prepare for and participate in regulatory surveys, audits, investigations, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Monitor social services documentation for quality, accuracy, and compliance.
• Support Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives related to resident satisfaction, psychosocial outcomes, and social services performance.

Family Relations & Community Resources

• Establish positive relationships with residents, families, guardians, and responsible parties.
• Provide education and support regarding resident adjustment, healthcare decisions, advanced directives, and community resources.
• Coordinate referrals to community agencies, social service organizations, advocacy groups, mental health providers, and supportive programs as appropriate.
• Promote resident participation in facility programs, activities, and social engagement opportunities.

Qualifications

• Regular and reliable attendance is required to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work, Gerontology, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field preferred.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or applicable state licensure/certification preferred.
• Licensed Practical Nurse is referred but not required.
• Experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, healthcare, or post-acute care settings preferred.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and facility regulations governing social services and resident rights.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, counseling, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and staff development abilities.
• Ability to develop and implement individualized care plans based on resident needs and goals.
• Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, advocacy, and crisis intervention skills.
• Knowledge of discharge planning, community resources, care coordination, and social service programs.
• Competence in documentation, electronic health records, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement processes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Facility-based work performed in a skilled nursing or long-term care environment.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Frequent interaction with residents, families, visitors, and staff members.
• Ability to use computers, telephones, and standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Occasional bending, reaching, and movement to meet with residents and families throughout the facility.
• Ability to manage stressful situations, multiple priorities, and sensitive resident matters in a professional and compassionate manner.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 15 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
• Fast-paced environment requiring responsiveness to resident needs, family concerns, regulatory requirements, and operational priorities.
• Collaborative work setting with frequent coordination among nursing, therapy, activities, admissions, business office, administration, and outside providers.
• Structured and compliance-driven workplace requiring adherence to healthcare regulations, confidentiality requirements, and documentation standards.
• Requires adaptability, professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment when addressing sensitive resident, family, and staff matters.
• Regular interaction with residents who may experience cognitive impairment, mental health challenges, emotional distress, or significant life transitions.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.