Social Services Director

Social Services Director

The Social Services Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the facility's social services program to support residents' psychosocial well-being, dignity, independence, rights, and quality of life. This position provides leadership in resident assessments, care planning, discharge planning, family communication, community resource coordination, and regulatory compliance.

The Director works collaboratively with the Administrator, Director of Nursing, Medical Director, rehabilitation staff, dietary services, activities department, residents, and families to ensure that each resident receives appropriate social services in accordance with individual needs and applicable Indiana and federal requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Department Management

• Manage and oversee the daily operations of the Social Services Department.
• Establish department procedures, workflows, documentation standards, and quality expectations.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, coverage, and delivery of social services based on resident needs and applicable regulations.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate social services staff and designees, as applicable.
• Maintain department records, reports, and documentation for internal audits and regulatory surveys.
• Collaborate with facility leadership to address concerns, resolve barriers to care, and improve resident outcomes.

2. Resident Assessments and Care Planning

• Complete or coordinate psychosocial assessments upon admission and as required by changes in resident condition or facility policy.
• Identify residents' emotional, social, cultural, financial, behavioral, and family support needs.
• Develop, implement, review, and update individualized care plans.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings and ensure social services interventions are documented.
• Support residents as they adjust to the facility, changes in independence, chronic illness, cognitive impairment, and end-of-life concerns.

3. Resident Rights and Advocacy

• Promote resident dignity, privacy, choice, autonomy, and participation in care decisions.
• Respond to resident grievances, concerns, complaints, and requests for assistance.
• Help residents understand facility policies, resident rights, and available resources.
• Assist with family concerns, communication challenges, and conflict resolution.
• Follow facility procedures and applicable reporting requirements for suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other safety concerns.

4. Admissions, Discharge Planning, and Transitions

• Coordinate the social services components of admission, transfer, discharge, and relocation.
• Assess barriers to safe discharge, including housing, caregiver support, financial resources, transportation, and access to medications or follow-up care.
• Coordinate referrals to home health, hospice, community agencies, behavioral health providers, and other services as appropriate.
• Educate residents and families regarding discharge options and community resources.
• Document discharge planning, resident preferences, referrals, and follow-up arrangements.

5. Family and Community Relations

• Serve as a point of contact for residents' families and representatives regarding psychosocial needs and available services.
• Facilitate family meetings and care conferences.
• Connect residents and families with Medicare, Medicaid, benefits assistance, transportation, counseling, and other community resources.
• Promote meaningful family involvement and continued relationships with the community.
• Coordinate with external agencies and healthcare providers to support continuity of care.

6. Dementia, Behavioral Health, and Emotional Support

• Coordinate appropriate psychosocial interventions for residents living with dementia, depression, anxiety, grief, or adjustment difficulties.
• Support families experiencing caregiver stress and changes in residents' cognitive or functional abilities.
• Collaborate with nursing and other disciplines on person-centered approaches to behavioral and psychosocial needs.
• Make referrals for specialized assessment or treatment when needs fall outside the department's scope of practice.
• Support advance care planning and end-of-life referrals in collaboration with residents, representatives, and the interdisciplinary team.

7. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Maintain compliance with applicable Indiana long-term care regulations, federal nursing facility requirements, resident rights protections, and facility policies.
• Participate in quality…