Social Services Assistant

General Purpose

This role is responsible in assisting in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing our facility’s social service programs in accordance with current existing federal, state, and local standards, as well as our established policies and procedures, to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis.

Essential Duties

• Assist the Social Service Director/Consultant in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing of the social service programs of this facility.
• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning social services, as directed.
• Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.
• Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.
• Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures for identifying the medically related social and emotional needs of the resident.
• Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family.
• Assist residents in achieving the highest practicable level of self care, independence and well being.
• Assist with providing medically related social services so that the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well being of each resident is attained or maintained.
• Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Director.
• Provide information to resident/families as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.
• Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in efforts to solve the needs and problems of the resident through the development of social service programs.
• Record and maintain regular Social Service progress notes indicating response to the treatment plan and/or adjustment to institutional life.
• Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.
• Work with emotional problems including assisting resident/family with anxieties and stress caused by illness and admission to the facility, difficulties in coping with residual physical disabilities, fears related to helplessness and death, and the need for institutional and specialized care.
• Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plan for social treatment.
• Meet with department personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis, to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.
• Assist in obtaining resources from community social, health and welfare agencies to meet the needs of the resident.
• Assist in making outpatient appointments as ordered and schedule on site ancillary patient services to include optometry, podiatry, dentistry and psychiatric services.
• Assists in discharge planning with appropriate agencies, entities or individuals to include agency services, equipment and agency referrals.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with other departments within the facility, and outside community health, welfare and social agencies, to assure that social service programs can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
• Assist in the development of and participate in regularly scheduled orientation and in service training programs in relation to the social, emotional and medical needs of the residents.
• Assist in the development of the department’s budget.
• Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

Supervisory Requirements

This role has no supervisory requirements.

Qualification

Education and/or Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) required or a Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field (e.g., sociology, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or gerontology) with one year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting, in accordance with federal regulations.

Experience

• Minimum of one year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting such as a hospital, nursing facility, hospice, or related program.
• Prior long-term care or skilled nursing facility experience preferred.

Language Skills

Ability to read and understand procedure and instruction manuals

and directions.

Mathematical Skills

Basic math skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and

division.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

(State requirements vary; include what applies to the state.)

• Social work licensure (LSW, LMSW, LCSW, or state equivalent) if required by state law.
• Must meet all state and federal qualification standards for social workers in skilled nursing facilities.
• Completion of mandatory in-service trainings, including resident rights, abuse prevention, dementia training, and HIPAA, as required by the facility and state regulations.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, read, and hear.
• Frequent use of standard office equipment including a computer, telephone, copier, scanner, calculator, and fax machine.
• Prolonged periods of computer work and documentation.
• Occasional lifting or moving of items up to 25 pounds, such as resident charts, office supplies, or equipment.
• Occasional bending, reaching, and stretching during filing, resident interaction, or office tasks.
• Must be able to move throughout the facility to meet with residents, families, staff, and other departments.
• May be required to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

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.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.