Social Services Worker

JOB TITLE: SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER (Salaried, DOE) REPORTS TO: SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR GENERAL PURPOSE:
This individual provides medically-related social services to assist residents in maintaining or improving their ability to manage their physical, mental, and social needs. The social services worker serves as a resident advocate and works in coordination with the interdisciplinary team to conduct clinical assessments, identify resident needs, develop appropriate goals and care plan interventions, help residents/families navigate community systems and resources, and coordinate discharge plans. JOB FUNCTIONS: * Assists staff members in evaluating, understanding, and meeting resident psychosocial needs
* Functions as a resident advocate, upholds resident rights, promotes resident choice and dignity
* Helps residents/families deal with the impact of disability, illness, and transition to the SNF or alternative placement on individual and family functioning
* Conducts initial resident psychosocial assessments and social histories
* Evaluates resident cognition, mood, behavior, and discharge potential, then develops individualized care plans related to these areas
* Plans and implements interventions for resident mood and behavior issues, educates staff on approaches
* Problem-solves resident/family concerns and issues, assisting with orientation and adjustment to the facility
* Coordinates and leads care conferences upon admission, bi-annually, and as needed
* Intervenes in crisis situations
* Conducts resident and staff interviews required for MDS assessments and enters information timely
* Coordinates resident room moves
* Acts as the lost/missing items and grievance procedure representative
* Assists residents/families in accessing and understanding insurance benefits and state/federal programs such as Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, VA
* Assists residents/families in understanding advanced directives, power of attorney, guardianship
* Supports residents/families around end-of-life issues including hospice referral
* Initiates referrals to mental health services and acts a liaison with providers
* Connects residents and families to appropriate community resources and helps them navigate systems
* Coordinates discharge planning which includes providing education/information on community living options and supports based on care needs, making referrals, and establishing services prior to discharge
* Acts as a task supervisor and mentor to social work students doing their practicum placement at the facility
* Meets charting and professional documentation requirements including assessments, care plan, timely social services progress notes, PASRR forms, and other required documentation
* Participates in required meetings and continuing education opportunities such as staff trainings and work committees
* Maintains confidentiality of all health information according to facility policy, HIPAA, and state/federal regulation
* Maintains current knowledge of and complies with facility, state, and federal guidelines
* Communicates with the Social Services Director and Resident Care Manager of the assigned floor, seeking consultation and assistance as needed
* Performs other duties as assigned by the Administrator or Social Services Director PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:
Mobility, grasping, fine hand coordination; ability to hear, read and write, communicate with residents, family, staff, and consultants; ability to instruct other staff, to understand and follow written and oral instructions; ability to remain calm in emergency situations and handle multiple tasks. QUALIFICATIONS: * Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree; BSW or MSW preferred
* Experience in a health care setting and/or with older adults
* Proficiency in core clinical competencies including assessments, systems and community resource navigation, communication/education/support job functions
* Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work with an interdisciplinary team
* Ability to plan, organize, develop, and implement programs and goals to provide optimum resident care
* Proven written and oral communication skills
* Demonstrates professional work habits including regular attendance
* Working knowledge of computer technology
* Meets all local health regulations, including background checks and reference inquiry
* Must be capable of performing the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation This communication, together with any attachments and accompanying documents are covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC 2510-2521, and contains information intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential or legally protected. If you are not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, copying, or distribution or use of this communication is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, and delete the original and all copies of this communication, along with any attachments or links contained herein, from your system.