QUALIFICATIONS:

A Masters Degree in Social Work or a human services field including but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling and psychology.

One year of supervised work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals, preferred.

Essential Functions:

Performs general management functions such as hiring, disciplining and evaluating employees.

Evaluates Quality Indicators/Quality Measures monthly to audit department performance.

Performs skill testing with other members of Social Services Department; delivers or arranges for additional training for social services staff members when needed.

Arranges/participates in social services staff orientation.

Develops and delivers culturally-sensitive training to all disciplines to meet the psychosocial needs of the residents. Utilizes classroom training and spontaneous “on the floor” training opportunities.

Participates in new employee orientation, including but not limited to education on resident rights, abuse/neglect, behaviors and culture change/resident-centered care.

Directs development and maintenance of a comprehensive list of services in the community (such as dentists and eyeglass repair shops that accept Medicaid). The list is available for use by center staff in obtaining needed services for residents and by residents and families upon discharge.

Provides direct psychosocial intervention to residents and residents’ significant others.

Assists residents’ families/significant others in coping with skilled nursing placement, physical illness and disabilities of the resident, and the grieving process.

Directs and guides staff in completing psychosocial assessments, screening instruments, relevant MDS sections and RAPS in a timely manner.

Primary liaison with psychological and psychiatric service providers.

Creates integrated, person-centered care plan based on strengths and preferences of the resident.

Periodically evaluates care plan for effectiveness of interventions; updates care plan as needed.

Documents observations and events in the resident’s medical record as needed; assesses and documents psychosocial impact of life events, health concerns, condition change.

Facilitates interdisciplinary review of distressing behaviors exhibited by some residents, utilizing a holistic approach to resolve concerns.

Facilitates interdisciplinary review and reduction attempts of psychotropic drug use

Collaborates with Activities Department to develop activities and psychosocial interventions that support resident independence and recovery.

Performs other tasks as assigned.

Advocacy Functions:

Works with the resident, family/significant others and other team members to outline goals of stay at admission, the plan to meet those goals and discharge as appropriate.

Provides educational materials to resident and/or family/significant others related to advance directives; assists them in completion of advance directives as desired by resident and/or family/significant others.

Maintains professional networking relationships in the community with other social service organizations. Examples of such organizations include but are not limited to: local chapters of National Association of Social Workers and local provider groups of social workers in hospitals or care management groups.

Assists resident/family/significant others in obtaining appropriate forms to gain services, such as Medicaid applications or insurance appeals.

Advocates for the resident and with the residents, exploring possible compromises that keep the resident’s best interest in mind. Examples of such activities are:

o Educating the resident/family about the impact of going home before treatment goals are met; following up with resident/family in the event of premature discharge to avoid unnecessary re-hospitalization.

o Mediating therapy compliance to help resident meet personal goals when noncompliance is an issue

o Advocating for appropriate room placement upon admission to help avoid unnecessary room moves.

o Encourages interdisciplinary, resident and family involvement in a quality of life advisory committee.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION

Other

Promotes/protects resident rights

Complies with abuse prevention & reporting policies and procedures

Maintains compliance with federal, state and local regulatory requirements

Maintains confidentiality of resident care and employee issues

Uses chain of command to communicate problems or grievances

Participates in staff meetings and mandatory in-service as required

Personal

Is present for work as scheduled; is rarely absent. Notifies supervisor when absent prior to the start of shift

Arrives and leaves at schedule time

Adheres to break and lunch times

Works overtime only as authorized

Demonstrates initiative and accepts increased responsibility

Maintains a clean and professional appearance in dress and grooming.

Customer Service

Answers, places and transfers telephone calls in a courteous manner. Identified self by name and location

Communicates information clearly and accurately in a courteous manner. Follows up as appropriate to ensure communication is understood

Cooperates with others within and outside of the department. Offers assistance to others when needed

Consistently demonstrates active listening skills in all communication.

Safety

Uses proper procedures for handling contaminated items

Participates in fire / disaster drills and safety in-service

Employs proper techniques of body mechanics to ensure resident/staff safety at all times

Complies with facility safety program

Attends and participates in facility safety programs

Promotes a safe environment for residents, visitors, and staff at all times.

Quality Improvement

Demonstrates knowledge of Quality Assurance program through application of principals in departmental operations

Actively supports the facility QAA/CQI activities

Actively participates in departmental QAA/CQI activities.