Social Service Director

Position Summary

The Social Service Director works with residents in the facility by identifying their psychosocial, mental and emotional needs along with providing, developing, and/or aiding in the access of services to meet those needs in accordance with federal and state laws for the long-term care industry and in accordance with Company policy and procedures.

Position Responsibilities

The Social Service Director shall exercise professional judgment in carrying out a variety of activities that maximize the well-being and quality of life of residents. Responsibilities of the Social Service Director include (but are not limited to): 

• Promotes and maintains a focus of patient-centered care
• Adheres to laws, rules & regulations and practices ethical integrity and interpersonal skills
• Maintains compliance with long-term care regulations including federal, state and health regulations
• Responsible to the Administrator for the overall development and implementation of the Social Service program that aligns with excellence in patient care outcomes
• Has strong leadership abilities in change leadership, enforcing laws, rules & regulations, ethical     integrity and interpersonal skills
• Review facility policies and procedures as part of the facility’s interdisciplinary team to assure compliance with state and federal regulations
• Develop, maintain and utilize a listing of current community resources that are useful to residents and their families/significant others
• Participate and contribute with quality assurance interdisciplinary team meetings
• Understand and meet all government requirements for social service documentation
• Document progress in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents
• Identify community changes and opportunities such as legislation, regulations and programs that affect nursing home residents
• 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 residents and those who live and work within the nursing home and community at large
• Complete a social history and psychosocial assessment for each resident that identifies social, emotional, and psychological needs
• Participate in the development of a written, interdisciplinary plan of care for each resident that identifies the psychosocial needs/issues of the resident, the goals to be accomplished for those needs/issues, and the appropriate social worker interventions
• Ensure or provide therapeutic interventions to assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs
• Ensure and provide support and education to residents/family members/significant others to assist in their understanding of placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to the appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services
• Provide groups for residents/family members/significant others as appropriate to their needs
• Provide clinical interventions to address catastrophic events that occur during the resident’s  stay in the facility
• Coordinate the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for appropriate home care services prior to the resident’s return to the community
• Educate residents and families/significant others regarding their rights and responsibilities, effective problem solving and the extent of community, health and social services that are available to them, including those necessary for effective discharge planning
• Promote and set the example for resident rights helping protect and enhance those rights
• Perform position duties in a manner as to assure resident safety and rights are priority
• Adheres to the facility corporate compliance progra