Social Service Director

JOB SUMMARY

• Responsible for performing assigned social work duties and responsibilities within the facility. Plan, develop, organize, oversee, and run the overall operation of the Social Service Department in accordance with current Alden policies and procedures, federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations.

• Bachelor’s Degree in the Human Services field (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, or related field).
• Have one year of experience in working in the social service/case management realm of the healthcare field.
• Current knowledge of Federal and State Long-Term Care (LTC) Social Service regulations and/or ability to understand and interpret.
• Demonstrate skills and ability in working with and understanding the needs of the residents, families, other staff members and personnel from community agencies.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language in an understandable manner. The ability to produce concise, meaningful, clinical written reports, assessments, documentation, and care planning initiatives and articulate the social/psychological needs of the residents.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action that are in the best interest of the residents, staff, and families. Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with residents, family members, visitors, personnel, government agencies/personnel and the general public in a professional manor.
• Must possess leadership ability and a willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• The ability to accept and utilize professional supervision, consultation and in‑service training/educational opportunities.
• Must demonstrate the ability to handle confidential data with professional discretion.
• Have experience and qualified marketing skills to effectively express the Alden’s Social Services Program to the community, other health professionals, outside professional organizations, senior services, government agencies, and any other provider or professional in the community.
• Must have the sincere desire to work with a variety of populations that require long‑term or short‑term care.
• Possess a knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge to deal effectively with this population.
• Possess the ability to guide and direct staff in therapeutic approaches effective with the dementia and behavioral population, as well as residents with mental health issues, on an‑ongoing basis, if applicable.
• Possess the qualities of empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, and humor in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.
• Willingness to be flexible regarding working hours in order to ensure quality of care.
• Understand and be able to manage emotional needs of yourself and your staff.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, family members, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to relate to and work with (physically/mentally) ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times hostile people.
• Must be free of physical limitation so as to be able to participate in the physical crisis prevention (CPI) techniques as trained by a certified trainer.
• May be required to lift equipment, supplies, and occasionally move furniture.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B virus.

• Be available to welcome new admission residents, provide support and initiate a trusting/therapeutic relationship.
• Must be able to clearly assess and document residents’ identified feelings about LTC placement (short/long‑term), emotional, mental, environmental changes or physical limitations verbalized by…