Social Services Assistant

The Social Services Assistant supports the Social Services Designee in delivering psychosocial services to SNF residents. This role is crucial in assessing needs, facilitating care planning, coordinating resources, and advocating for resident rights throughout admission, stay, and discharge.

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Key Responsibilities

· Intake & Assessment: Assist with psychosocial history collection, initial and quarterly assessments (Minimum Data Set involvement), and update care plans upon condition changes.

· Coordination & Advocacy:

o Connect residents and families to community services, Medicare/Medi-Cal programs, housing, and transportation.

o Engage in discharge planning, interdisciplinary team meetings, and facilitate smooth care transitions.

o Support ADLs by ensuring access to visual, dental, mental health evaluations, and appropriate follow-ups.

o Inform residents and families about rights (e.g., DNR, property rights) and ensure compliance with policies.

o Advocate for residents, including abuse or loss reporting, and maintain Theft & Loss logs.

· Administrative Support:

o Handle social services documentation, MDS sections, trust accounts, charts, and filing.

o Schedule appointments, arrange transportation, and coordinate with internal departments.

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Qualifications

· Minimum Education: High School diploma or GED

· Certifications: Social Service Designee certification within 3 months of hire; Basic Life Support (BLS); CNA or equivalent preferred.

 Experience:

o 1–3 years in SNF or long-term care environment.

o Familiarity with Medi-Cal, Medicare, MDS assessments, and SNF regulatory requirements (e.g., Title 22) Preferred.

· Skills & Abilities:

o Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

o Comfortable with paperwork, electronic charting (EHR), and case documentation.

o Empathetic player in interdisciplinary care teams, with resident advocacy as a priority.

o Bilingual abilities (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin) are a plus.

o Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation for off-site visits.