Social Services Assistant

General Purpose

The primary purpose of this position is to assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the facility’s social service programs according to current federal, state, and local standards and established policies, to meet the medically related emotional and social needs of residents on an individual basis.

• Assist the Social Service Director/Consultant in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing social service programs.
• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other departments to plan social services.
• Assist in developing, administering, and coordinating department policies and procedures.
• Review department policies and procedures annually and recommend changes.
• Develop and implement procedures to identify residents’ medically related social and emotional needs.
• Participate in community planning related to the facility’s interests and resident needs.
• Assist residents in achieving the highest practicable level of self‑care, independence, and well‑being.
• Provide medically related social services to attain or maintain residents’ physical, mental, and psychosocial well‑being.
• Complete administrative requirements such as forms, reports, and submit them to the Director.
• Provide information to residents and families about Medicare/Medicaid and other financial assistance programs.
• Consult with staff, community agencies, etc., to solve residents’ needs through social service program development.
• Record and maintain regular social service progress notes indicating response to treatment plans.
• Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.
• Assist residents and families with emotional issues related to illness, coping with disabilities, fears, and institutional care.
• Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining a social treatment plan.
• Meet regularly with department personnel to identify and correct problem areas and improve services.
• Obtain resources from community social, health, and welfare agencies to meet resident needs.
• Schedule outpatient appointments and on‑site ancillary services as ordered.
• Assist in discharge planning with appropriate agencies and entities.
• Develop and maintain good working rapport with internal and external agencies.
• Assist in developing and delivering orientation and in‑service training programs about residents’ needs.
• Participate in department budget development.
• Report suspected or known incidences of fraud related to billing or cost reports.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information and report unauthorized disclosures.

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent (required). Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Prior health‑care experience preferred.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers and employees.

Mathematical Skills

• Apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

• Solve practical problems and handle varied variables in limited standardization.
• Interpret a variety of written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.

The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds, frequently use a computer, and regularly sit, stand, walk, and talk. Daily use of copier, scanner, fax, telephone, and calculator is required; assistance may be needed during emergency evacuations.

The noise level is typically low to moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties at any time. Critical features of this role may change as needed. This description is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, or required skills.

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.