Job Summary: Responsible for consultation and direction of Social Service in the skilled nursing facility. Provides orientation and education to the Social Service and Nursing staff. Develops, organizes and implements programs, policies and procedures; conducts case work services and counseling; recommends functions necessary to ensure overall operational viability.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:

• Prepares social histories for use by professional facility staff and participates in resident care conferences.
• Assures that social service/discharge planning activities are integrated and coordinated within the facility by effective communication at all levels.
• Develops specific, measurable, realistic plans and objectives which enhance social service delivery.
• Participates in the development and reassessment, as needed of each resident’s social service and interdisciplinary care plan.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform a psychosocial assessment on all residents and reassessments, including adult and geriatric residents.
• Handles problems of adjustment to the long term care facility and maintains frequent contact with residents and their families.
• Serves as an advocate for residents and their families.
• Establishes and maintains working relations with community health, welfare and volunteers groups to promote cooperative assistance in meeting the social welfare needs of residents and families.
• Assists with arrangements, if needed, for out of facility healthcare, transportation and counseling services.
• Performs all aspects of resident care in an environment that optimizes resident safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates knowledge of clinical social work and discharge planning.
• Treats residents and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of residents and their families.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Interacts professionally with resident/family and involves resident/family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff, Director of Nursing and administrative team.
• Coordinates and directs Social Service to ensure residents’ needs are met and facility policy is followed.
• Provides appropriate resources and support to Social Service designee.
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Consults other departments as appropriate to collaborate in resident care and performance improvement activities.
• Participates in weekly care conferences – Ensures residents and familes are invited to attend
• Maintains performance improvement activities for the department.
• Meets current documentation standards and policies.
• Provides education to staff on performance improvement. Plans and organizes orientation and inservice training for staff members; participates in guidance and educational programs.
• Performs consultative activities including recommendations for changes in service delivery.

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Maintains resident confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Completes inservices and returns in a timely fashion.
• Attends annual review and department inservices, as scheduled.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (QUAPI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Promotes the success of others and a positive work environment

Regulatory Requirements:

• Three (3) or more years of previous experience in all aspects of social services and discharge planning.

Language Skills:

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.
• Strong written and verbal skills.

Skills:

• Basic computer knowledge.

Physical Demands:

• For physical demands of position, including vision, hearing, repetitive motion and environment, see following description.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising resident care.