Job Title Variation: Social Services Assistant
Reports to: Social Service Director and/or Social Worker
Supervises: None
Classification: Non-Exempt Hourly

Position Description

Responsible to assist Social Service Coordinator and Social Workers in providing medically related social services so that each resident/resident may attain or maintain the highest practicable level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. Promotes a climate, policies and routines that enable residents to maximize their individuality, independence and dignity. Services will be provided in accordance with Federal, State and Local regulations and governing agencies.

Principal Responsibilities

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation, which complies with federal/state regulations, The Company Corporate Policy, and specific center practices, including, but not limited to: Minimum Data Set, Advanced Directives, Social Service History and Assessment, Care Plans, Social Service Progress Notes, and Behavior Tracking.
• Under direct supervision of the Social Service Coordinator or Social Worker, supports each resident/resident’s right to self-determination; Documents resident/resident refusal of services offered; Informs resident/resident of any therapeutic alternatives to the refused service.
• Makes appropriate referrals to other consultants, community agencies, or Center departments in order to facilitate the resident/resident’s optimal use of resources, and to promote increased level of psycho-social functioning as planned by the Social Service Coordinator or Social Worker.
• Aids with the resident/resident’s admission to assure a smooth transition; Meets with resident/residents and families as needed to provide information and facilitate adjustment.
• Under direct supervision of the Social Service Coordinator or Social Worker, assist in obtaining social history and psychosocial observations for each resident that identifies social, emotional, and psychological needs; Utilizes the minimum data set to guide the care plan.
• Supports each resident’s/resident’s right to self-determination; Documents resident/resident refusal of services offered; Informs resident/resident of any therapeutic alternatives to the refused service; Involves others, as appropriate, to help educate the resident/resident about the alternatives.
• Coordinates the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for appropriate home care services prior to the resident’s return to the community.
• Work with the interdisciplinary team and administration to promote and protect resident rights and the psychological well-being of each resident. Prevent and address resident abuse as mandated by law and professional licensure.
• Work with residents, families, significant others and staff to provide support, information and organization for taking a more proactive role in self-advocacy to improve the quality of life/care for individual resident and those who live and work within the facility and the community.
• Educate residents and families regarding the resident’s legal right to have an Advance Directive and to let the facility, physician and other healthcare providers know what the resident’s wishes are concerning medical treatment.
• Develop, maintain and utilize a listing of current community resources that are useful to residents and their families/significant others. • May participate in quality assurance interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Understand and meet company and government requirements for social service documentation.
• Document progress in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents.
• Promote education of staff regarding cultural diversity and each staff member’s importance when caring for residents. Educate staff regarding residents’ rights and how to recognize and prevent abuse, neglect and mistreatment.
• Ability to exercise professional judgement in carrying out a variety of activities that maximize the well-being and quality of life of residents.
• Provide clinical interventions to address catastrophic events that occur during the resident’s stay in the facility. 
• Collaborate with healthcare and social service coordinators of other agencies and hospitals to maximize the use of community services. • Refer to APS any suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Participate in reviewing and setting policies concerning resident care and quality of life; Participate in developing facility social work policies.
• Maintain and update a resource file on service providers and vendors; Assist with locating new providers and evaluating old service providers; Communicate regularly with service providers to assure satisfactory service delivery.
• Assist the Social Service Director/Consultant in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing of the social service programs of this facility.
• Works with Social Service Director and Director of Nursing to prepare for inspection surveys; ability to engage in interviews by inspectors, assist in immediate corrections of problems noted by surveyors, etc. Reviews and reinforces important standards previously cited.
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without notice.

General Responsibilities

• Attends and participates in scheduled training, educational classes, and meetings to maintain current certification as applicable; Attends and participates in in-service training as mandated by regulatory agencies and company policy.
• Adheres to work schedules in completing and performing assigned tasks; completes all assigned tasks in a timely manner as instructed by the direct supervisor.
• Meets acceptable center attendance requirements; notifies facility before late arrival to or absence from work according to established center policy.
• Cooperates with other facility personnel to ensure that services can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of residents; creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment.
• Adheres to established employee policies.
• Adheres to established dress code.

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Models customer service principals throughout the center and promotes appreciation of our customer’s needs.
• Treats residents, residents’ family members, visitors and fellow employees with courtesy, respect, and dignity.
• Presents professional image through appearance, behavior and speech.
• Explains procedures to residents before administering services.

Residents Rights

• Understands, upholds and promotes the rights of the residents.
• Ensures residents can exercise rights without interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal from the facility.
• Ensures protected health information is kept confidential.
• Ensures resident concerns/complaints are responded to with tact and urgency.
• Reports allegations of resident abuse, neglect and/or misappropriation of resident property.
• Coordinates effective communication with Residents and Companions by assuring all arrangements for providing interpreters and/or other auxiliary aids and services needed by Residents and Responsible Party are made, including scheduling interpreters through outside agencies and scheduling staff interpreters, if any; and ensuring appropriate maintenance, repair, replacement and distribution of auxiliary aids. Safety and Sanitation
• Reports observations concerning structural, equipment, and furniture defects and malfunctioning to appropriate personnel.
• Follows established safety policies and procedures.
• Identifies and corrects safety hazards; reports safety concerns as required.
• Observes safety needs of residents as indicated in care plan. 
• Wears and/or uses safety equipment and supplies when indicated and properly trained to use.
• Demonstrates job-specific knowledge of fire and disaster preparedness during drills or actual situations.

Staff Development

• Attends and participates in scheduled in-service training, educational classes and meetings to maintain current certification as applicable and as managed by regulatory agencies and company policies.
• Ensures that small group meetings are held per company policy.
• Communicates new Policy & Procedures and regulations to staff to ensure compliance.

Qualifications

• Social Service Certificate, 36-Hour Social Service Designee Certificate, preferred.
• One year of supervised social service experience in a healthcare setting working directly with geriatric individuals.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a Skilled Nursing Facility preferred. Travel
• Minimal. May escort residents to outside appointments.

Principal Contacts

• Works closely with residents, families, interdisciplinary team, nursing personnel and department heads. Works with community agencies including other nursing homes, hospice, hospitals, outpatient programs, etc.; and vendors. 

Carmel Hills Wellness and Rehabilitation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.