Social Services Director

The Social Services Director plans, implements, and organizes the social service department in accordance with federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations in order to meet the needs of the residents and serves as a liaison between the resident and family as needed.

• Obtain social history on new residents and maintain records.
• Complete 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 longterm care facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs.
• Ensure or 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.
• Keeps up-to-date evaluation documentation and information on each resident’s activities at the facility which includes:
  • Nature of the disability
  • Activities and program participation
  • Psychological disposition and adjustment
  • Family contact
  • Special problems
  • Prognosis
• Assist residents or responsible parties in processing forms or applications in the effort to obtain outside services. This includes but is not limited to Social Security, Medicaid, SSI or any other service to which the resident may be entitled.
• Complete Social Services portion of MDS for all residents
• Counsel residents and their families, documenting findings, approaches, and solutions.
• Establish contact with family members during relative visitation at the facility or by telephone contact as needed.
• Acts as a liaison between the community and the residents and their families, addressing and assisting in finding solution to any problems that arise
• Acts as Abuse & Neglect officer. Prevent and address resident abuse as mandated by law and professional licensure.
• Works with interdisciplinary team and administration to promote and protect resident rights and the psychological well being of each resident.
• Participate in the team care plan meetings to incorporate social service plans and goals into residents' care plans/inviting resident and families to attend.
• Discusses Advance Directives with Resident and family.
• Document Social Service progress notes to reflect the progression or regression toward established goals.
• Coordinate discharge planning with residents, families and staff
• Develop discharge summaries and post discharge plans of care.
• Help residents and their families prepare for discharge, providing for medical equipment, contacting hospice care, home health or any other necessary services.
• Maintain a community resource file for assistance in meeting residents' physical, mental, psychosocial, spiritual, financial, legal, and other identified needs
• Plan and manage the process of ensuring the department meets all state and federal standards and does well in all compliance surveys
• Ensure quality customer service to the residents, families, staff, and all external customers the department serves
• Function as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide quality care to all residents.
• 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.
• Follows code of ethics in procurement, handling of confidential information and personal conduct. Maintains the confidentiality of all resident information included protected health care information.
• Participates in continuing education and in services, relevant to Job Description and LTC, to ensure skills and abilities are maintained and enhanced.
• Receive direction from the Nursing Home Administrator on overall QAPI…