Social Services Director

Social Services Director

Position summary

A well-established skilled nursing facility is hiring a Social Services Director to support the emotional, social and practical needs of its residents and their families. You will help residents adjust to life in the facility, protect their rights, and plan safe transitions home or to the next level of care.

This role is for a compassionate advocate who is organized enough to keep up with documentation and discharge deadlines. You will work closely with nursing, MDS, admissions, the business office and outside agencies, and you will often be the person families call first when they need help.

Department - Social Services

Reports to - Administrator

Status - Full-time

Schedule - Monday–Friday, day shift, with flexibility for family meetings and urgent resident needs

Supervises - Social services assistant

Responsibilities

Psychosocial care

• Complete social history and psychosocial assessments for new residents, and update them with changes in condition.
• Complete social services sections of the MDS, including BIMS, PHQ-9 mood interviews and Section Q, on schedule.
• Develop and update care plans for mood, behavior, cognition, trauma-informed care and psychosocial well-being.
• Meet with residents regularly to support adjustment, grief, loss and other emotional needs, and arrange outside mental health services when needed.
• Coordinate PASRR Level I screenings and follow up on Level II recommendations.

Admissions and discharge planning

• Help residents and families with the transition into the facility and explain what to expect.
• Begin discharge planning at admission, and coordinate safe discharges home, to assisted living or to another facility, including home health, equipment and follow-up appointments.
• Issue required discharge and transfer notices on time, including the Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage, and notify the ombudsman as required.
• Connect residents and families with community resources, Medicaid, guardianship, power of attorney and advance directive information.

Resident rights and compliance

• Advocate for residents' rights, dignity, choices and privacy.
• Manage the grievance process: receive, investigate, document and resolve concerns promptly.
• Assist with investigation and reporting of allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation and misappropriation.
• Track residents' missing items and help replace them.
• Keep social services documentation complete, accurate and survey-ready, and prepare the department for annual and complaint surveys.

Collaboration

• Lead or take part in care conferences with residents, families and the interdisciplinary team.
• Work with the business office on Medicaid applications and financial planning, and with nursing on behavior and mood concerns.
• Support resident council and family council.
• Take part in QAPI and department head meetings.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field, such as psychology, sociology, gerontology or counseling.
• 1 year of social work experience in a healthcare setting.
• Strong communication skills with residents, families and staff, including in sensitive or difficult conversations.
• Comfort with computers and electronic documentation.

Preferred

• Nebraska social work credential, such as Certified Social Worker (CSW) or Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW).
• Experience in a skilled nursing or long-term care facility.
• Experience completing MDS sections, care plans and discharge planning.
• Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, guardianship and community resources in the area.

Pay: $50,400.00 - $60,324.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,400 - $60,324