Social Service Director

Position Purpose

Plans, organizes, supervises and directs all administrative and operational activities of the Social Services Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and the facility’s established policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

All facilities must provide medically-related social services to residents. The social services department must be directed by a qualified professional social worker who has:

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The Social Services Director is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, supervision and ongoing evaluation of the Social Services Department designed to meet and assist residents in attaining or maintaining their highest practicable well-being. This includes identifying the need for medically-related social services and ensuring that these services are provided in accordance with State and Federal regulations.

The Social Services Director will complete and/or direct/delegate the completion of the social services component of the comprehensive assessment. The Social Services Director will also contribute to and/or direct/delegate contribution of social services goals and approaches to the comprehensive care plan. These goals and interventions will be individualized to match the skills, abilities, and interests/preferences of each resident in compliance with Federal and State regulations, to include identifying and promoting individualized, non-pharmacological approaches to care that meet the mental and psychosocial needs of each resident.

The Social Services Director will assist residents in voicing and obtaining resolution to grievances. The Director will review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written report indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. The Director will also gather grievance reports from other Social Services staff and ensure follow through and resolution has been completed as per facility policy. The Director will track grievance trends and report findings as part of the facility’s QAPI program as requested.

The Social Services Director will participate in facility policy development in order to positively impact the quality of care delivered to residents.

The Social Services Director ensures that staff members are knowledgeable about Resident’s Rights and encourages staff to maintain and enhance each resident’s dignity in recognition of each resident’s individuality. The Director will also 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 Services Director will report to the Administrator and appropriate State agency, as well as will lead a thorough investigation into the allegation.