Social Services Designee

All facilities must provide medically-related social services to residents. It is not required that a qualified social worker necessarily provide all of these services, except as required by State law. The regulations do not require a Social Worker when a facility has equal to or less than 120 beds. The Social Services Designee must possess:

A minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent.

The Social Services Designee will assist the Social Service Director/Consultant/Administrator in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing of social services programs of this facility.

The Social Services Designee will meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning social services, as directed.

The Social Service Designee will participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of care plans and resident assessments.

The Social Services Designee will encourage residents/responsible parties to participate in the development of their care plan, and invite them to care plan meetings accordingly.

The Social Services Designee will assist residents in obtaining transportation to medical appointments, upon discharge, etc.

The Social Services Designee will accurately and completely document social service actions and interactions in each resident’s medical record.

The Social Services Designee will assist with facility policy development and annual review in order to positively impact the quality of care delivered to residents.

The Social Services Designee will assist the Social Services Director/Administrator in ensuring that staff members are knowledgeable about Resident’s Rights and encourage staff to maintain and enhance each resident’s dignity in recognition of each resident’s individuality.

The Social Services Designee will engage in Advance Care Planning for assigned residents upon admission, and make sure that any Advance Directives are reviewed with the resident/resident representative on a regular basis. The Social Worker will ensure that staff members are made aware of the resident’s code status and end-of-life wishes and will assist with informing and educating residents and their representatives about health care options and ramifications.

The Social Services Designee will advocate for residents and assist them in assertion of their rights within the facility. When there is an allegation of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation, the Social Worker will report to the Social Services Director and/or Administrator and assist with reporting to the appropriate State agency, as well as completion of a thorough investigation as assigned.

The Social Services Designee will ensure that residents who display mental illness, or psychosocial difficulties such as coping with grief and loss, have access to appropriate treatment and resources.