Social Services Director

The Social Services Director is responsible for providing services to meet the social and/or emotional needs that affect the residents’ ability to achieve their highest level of function, participating in the development of residents’ comprehensive care plans, developing policies and procedures to provide social services to residents in compliance with federal, state and local regulations. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and implement social service policies and procedures to meet residents’ needs in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Develop, coordinate and participate in family and resident activities designed to promote social interaction, reality orientation and intellectual stimulation. 
• Develop one-to-one professional relationships with residents and families as needed for counseling. 
• Coordinate all admissions and discharges at Sayre Christian Village’s Healthcare Center. 
• Counsel residents and families in dealing with feelings about death or dying and other emotional, mental environment or physical limitations.
• Assess and complete the sections of the (MDS) Minimum Data Set assigned completely, timely and accurately.
• Responsible for updating care plans as warranted and required.
• Document the social service component of the Comprehensive Care Plan for each resident in a timely manner.
• Document psycho-social needs, interaction and follow-up action(s) with resident and/or family according to facility policies and procedures.
• Assess, plan and document residents’ discharge needs in accordance with facility discharge planning policy and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a liaison with social, health and community agencies.
• Refer residents to social, health and community agencies and complete accurate documentation in residents’ records concerning the results of such referrals.
• Explain residents’ rights to residents and residents’ representatives.
• Participate in admission of residents as assigned.
• Coordinate and cooperate with the activity department to plan and conduct events to meet socialization needs of the residents.
• Follow Residents’ Rights policies at all times.
• Participate in implementation of programs to improve resident care related to Quality Indicators.
• Observe all facility policies and procedures.
• Consistently work cooperatively with residents, residents’ representatives, facility staff, physicians, consultants and ancillary service providers. 
• Comply with facility HIPAA Security Policies & Procedures by using only protected health information (PHI) needed to perform designated job responsibilities which include accessing any information contained in patient records when required for the purpose of supervising staff or complying with licensing and other regulatory requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, volunteers, government agencies and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of reimbursement regulations and nursing practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to long-term care administration.
• Must be able to maintain good personnel relations and employee morale.
• Must be able to read and interpret financial records, reports, etc.
• Must be knowledgeable of computer systems, system applications and other office equipment.

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in social work; OR
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a human-services related major, including sociology, gerontology, psychology, rehabilitation counseling or special education; AND
• One year in a healthcare setting where the individual is working as a supervised social worker who works directly with individuals

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIAL TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE JOB

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• 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 residents, personnel and support agencies.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.