Social Services Director

POSITION SUMMARY: The Social Services Aide assists in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing social service programs. Must assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis; safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of all residents of the facility. The person holding this position is delegated the responsibility for carrying out the assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with current existing federal and state regulations and established company policies and procedures. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Works separately and in groups with residents, families, facility staff, and representatives of community agencies, institutions and organizations; document all activity as required 2. Greets new residents in the facility and orient them to the building and staff 3. Maintains appropriate departmental documentation: a. Assesses all new residents upon admission and complete the social service initial admission notes, social history, social assessment, and discharge planning when appropriate b. Writes quarterly and annual updates of Social Assessment and Social History c. Records all significant events in resident’s life and social service contacts d. Informs and educates residents/families/legal representatives regarding the importance of funeral and other pre-arrangements and follow up with their completion 4. Completes care plan as needed and follow through with approach and goals developed 5. Interviews residents/families as necessary and in a private setting 6. Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures for identifying the medically related social and emotional needs of residents 7. Maintains as much personal contact as possible with the resident and his/her family or guardian in order to continue good relations and to determine changing conditions and needs 8. Communicates with the elderly with communication problems and relay their needs/concerns to family, facility, and community agencies 9. Participates and coordinates room changes and make calls to families when necessary. Distributes list of changes to each involved department and document each room change 10. Addresses problems of residents and families and attempt to reconcile differences 11. Attends Care Plan, social services, admissions, rehabilitation, marketing, Performance Improvement, and Medicare meetings, in-service educational classes, and on-the-job training programs as deemed appropriate 12. Coordinates discharge planning and maintain ongoing notes regarding discharge planning for appropriate residents Social Services Aide 2 13. Follows schedule for group and one-to-one programs, chart daily attendance in group activities and write monthly progress notes in a timely fashion 14. Identifies and communicates with the Director of Social Services regarding any needed change in goals, programs, schedule, etc 15. Other duties as assigned by the Director of Social Services KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIES: 1. Adheres to and interprets resident rights and personnel policies 2. Knowledge of federal and state regulations 3. Understands special needs and limitations of elderly 4. Recognizes and identifies problems and refer to others if necessary 5. Ability to communicate with the resident, family, staff, and community 6. Maintains the confidentiality of resident information and honors his/her personal and property rights 7. Responds to the needs of the facility, residents, and families in a timely and appropriate manner 8. Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents 9. Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning 10. Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language 11. Must be able to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and/or holidays 12. Must be able to work independently and as a member of a team 13. Must present a positive image of the facility