Social Services Director

Description

Position Summary:

The Social Service Director is responsible to provide medically related social work services so that each Resident may attain or maintain the highest practicable level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. This position assesses and treats emotional and behavioral problems related to patient illness, participates as a member of interdisciplinary team, and may assist patients in treatment planning.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Facility Responsibilities:

• Responsible for operating the Social Services department within budgetary guidelines and limitations.
• Completes annual performance reviews of all subordinate staff; provides guidance and education to staff in relation to their performance. Provides counseling and disciplinary action to subordinate staff as needed.
• Responsible for training and educating staff in the Social Services department.
• Assesses and evaluates each Resident’s psychosocial needs and develops goals for providing the necessary services and takes part in the admissions process as needed.
• Incorporates the Social Service goals in the Resident’s Plan of Care and attends care planning conferences.
• Assists the Residents in adjusting to the facility and promotes a positive environment for the continuity of relationship with family and community.
• Assists Residents and families to utilize the community resources when not provided directly by the facility.
• Maintains confidential records and interviews with Residents and families as appropriate.
• Assists in the development, supervision, and education of staff.
• Serves as the team lead or assigns team lead to a staff in the department in discharge planning.
• Ensures completion of any required components of DPOA or guardianship paperwork.
• Coordinates services with psychiatric providers.
• Coordinate services with OBRA including overseeing proper completion and management of the PASARR program.
• Assists the Clinical IDT in resident room management.
• Assists Residents and families in resolving grievances as assigned.
• Attend Clinical IDT Meetings and serves as an advocate for Resident Rights.
• Reports all hazardous conditions, damaged equipment, and supply issues to appropriate persons.
• Assure that established infection control and standard precaution practices are maintained at all times.
• Maintains the comfort, privacy and dignity of Residents and interacts with them in a manner that displays warmth, respect and promotes a caring environment.
• Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with Residents, visitors, families, peers, and supervisors.
• Answers and respond to call lights promptly and courteously when working in Resident care areas.
• Reports all Resident concerns to the appropriate department head.
• Attend and participate in departmental meetings and in-services as directed. Attends in-service and education programs and attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines at all times and protects confidential information by only providing information on a “need-to-know” basis.
• Promotes and Protects Resident Rights by assisting Residents to make informed decisions, treating Residents with dignity and respect, protecting Residents’ personal belongings, reporting suspected abuse or neglect, avoiding the need for physical restraints in accordance with current professional standards; and supporting independent expression, choice and decision-making consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises employees in the department and others for whom they are administratively or professionally responsible (if applicable) by following policies and applicable laws. Uses independent judgment and discretion on behalf of the organization in the performance of these duties.

Supervisory responsibilities may include: interviewing, hiring, and training employees; scheduling, planning, assigning, and directing work; preparing performance evaluations; approving errors in time cards or other timekeeping records; receiving and resolving employee complaints; and monitoring and correcting job performance of employees.

Bachelor level Social Workers cannot supervise master prepared Social Workers.

Requirements

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work and at least three to five years of experience in a social service program for the elderly or related field.
• Must be licensed (full or limited) as a bachelor’s or master’s level social worker with the State of Michigan.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Requires knowledge of the skills necessary to conduct and evaluate assessments of the social and economic aspects of resident care and to identify and evaluate changes in mood and behavior, which affect their lives.
• Requires a working knowledge of the skills necessary to provide continuity in and coordination of resident care, i.e.; possesses skills to interview residents and their families, and communicate with community resources, when necessary.
• Must have knowledge of community agencies and other resources for making referrals for family and resident problems.
• Basic business computer knowledge required.
• Requires ability to communicate effectively with staff, Residents, and families. Must be able to plan, implement and work with only minimal direct supervision.
• Must be able to write clearly and concisely in preparation of social histories and care plans.
• Must be a good listener and be able to display understanding and a helpful attitude toward the problems and concerns of the Residents with terminal illnesses and their families and others.
• Requires valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to be able to attend court hearings and meetings at off-site locations as scheduled.

Salary : $60,600 - $76,800