Summary

The Director of Social Services is responsible for planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the Social Service Department in accordance with current existing federal, state, and local standards, as well as company- established policies and procedures, to ensure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the patients/residents are met and maintained on an individual basis.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

1.Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the social service programs of the facility.

2.Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning social services.

3.Develop and maintain a good working rapport with intra-department personnel, other departments within the facility, and outside community health, welfare and social agencies, to ensure that social service programs can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the patients/residents.

4.Assist in the developing, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.

5.Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Administrator.

6.Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

7.Assist in the development of the department budget.

8.Develop and implement policies and procedures for the identification of medically related social and emotional needs of the patient/resident.

9.Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the patient/resident and family.

10.Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and patient/resident assessments.

11.Interview patients/residents/families as necessary and in a private setting.

12.Involve the patient/resident/family in planning social service programs when possible.

13.Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary.

14.Refer patient/resident/families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the services or needs of the patient/resident.

15.Provide information to patient/resident/families as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the patient/resident.

16.Inform the patient/resident/family of the patient's/resident's personal and property rights.

17.Maintain CONFIDENTIALITY of all pertinent patient/resident care information to ensure patient/resident rights are protected.

18.Review patient/resident complaints and grievances and make necessary oral/written reports to the Administrator.

19.Perform charting duties as necessary.

20.Report all incidents/accidents, and all unsafe/hazardous conditions/equipment immediately.

21.Participates in the overall quality assessment and improvement program activities.

22.Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1.Bachelors Degree in Social Work required. Master’s preferred.

2.Three to five years progressive management experience in a long-term, sub-acute or acute care setting preferred.

3.Ability to work flexible work hours to support facility, state and federal requirements.

4.Superior customer service aptitude and approach.