Director of Social Services
Plymouth `, MN
Full Time
Mission Nursing Home
Mid Level
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: Director of Social Services
Job Summary
The Director of Social Services is responsible for overseeing and managing Social Services staff to ensure all aspects of psychosocial and emotional components of resident care are in compliance with resident rights. The Social Services Director is responsible for ensuring policies and procedures are in compliance with State and Federal regulations. This position assists families and residents with questions and concerns related to the nursing home process, care related issues and end of life decisions. Is responsible for managing the care planning process, initiating social services participation in MDS/RAI process, discharge planning and necessary documentation. Conduct consistently reflects the facility’s mission and values.
Qualifications
- BA degree in social work, sociology or related field.
- Current licensure as a Social Worker in the State of Minnesota.
- Requires a minimum of one year of experience in geriatrics.
- Leadership/management experience preferred.
- Knowledge of state and federal rules and regulations is essential.
- Must be organized, flexible, efficient, and able to handle resident information with confidentiality.
- Effective time management, prioritization and problem solving.
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to participate in and collaborate with facility interdisciplinary team (IDT).
- Work independently, self-directed and requires a minimal amount of supervision.
- Must be able to pass a State of Minnesota Department of Human Services criminal background study, as well as a United States Office of the Inspector General Exclusion search.
Essential Functions
- Directs, establishes and plan the overall policies, procedures, and goals for the Social Services Department.
- Monitors psychosocial needs of residents and works with interdisciplinary team to ensure needs are met.
- Works with person(s) responsible to coordinate resident admission selection, ensure all components of pre-admission assessment are completed and appropriate admission documentation is completed promptly.
- Is responsible for documenting a social history on each nursing home resident’s record.
- Documents all interactions with resident and/or responsible party as required by state and federal regulations.
- Initiates discharge planning process and coordinates, in collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team, to promote a successful, planned discharge.
- Documents social and emotional needs of residents. Actively participates in planning for interventions to address these needs, coordinating calls to families, responsible parties and coordinates interdepartmental team members to address concerns.
- Responsible for completing the social service portion of the MDS and overseeing other Social Services staff for compliance with MDS/RAI procedures.
- Ensures social services sections of resident care plans are kept current by all social services staff.
- Counsels residents and/or families in dealing with feelings about nursing home placement, loss of abilities, death and dying and other emotional, mental, environmental or physical limitations.
- Acts as a liaison with social, health and community agencies.
- Makes referrals as necessary and documents such activity in the resident’s medical record.
- Serves as a resource to families and responsible parties to research options for financial assistance, alternative care, supportive services upon discharge and other care related issues.
- Actively participates with interdisciplinary team members, to coordinate hospice services. Ensures resident and/or family, responsibility are provided choice of hospice service.
- Works closely with new resident admissions and families to promote their comfort and acceptance of placement.
- Serve on committees, as assigned, including Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee.
- Responsible for assisting residents and families in completion and implementation of Health Care Directive and communicating those directives to appropriate staff.
- Contacts families or responsible parties for resident needs, i.e.: clothing, etc.
- Supports and explains resident rights, vulnerable adult policy and grievance procedure to residents and/or responsible parties.
- Provides training to new staff and all staff annually regarding Resident Bill of Rights, Vulnerable Adult Abuse Prevention, and Resident Grievance procedures.
- Coordinates room changes with nursing department, resident and/or responsible party.
- Assists staff in understanding resident’s individual psychosocial needs and facilitates outside resources as appropriate.
- Supervises Social Work Interns from Social Work program.
- Completes Performance Evaluations, at least annually, for all Social Services staff.
- Ensures Social Services Department completes the Vulnerable Adult Reports and Resident Grievances are followed up, as appropriate.
- Conducts performance reviews for direct reports, at least annually.
- Follow standard precautions, facility safety policies, and works within OSHA guidelines.
- Attends in-services education and staff meetings as required.
- Treats and ensures that residents are treated with respect and dignity.
- Protects organization’s value by keeping patient information confidential.
- Is familiar with fire and disaster regulations and procedures, participates in drills.
- Reports any equipment malfunctions to designated employee, including knowledge of Lockout/Tagout Policy and Procedure.
- Other duties as assigned.
Physical/Mental Requirements
Occasionally pushes or pulls residents 300-600 feet with weight resistance equivalent to 35 pounds. Occasionally twists, stoops, bends, squats, kneels. Occasionally lifts and carries equipment and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds. Frequently climbs stairs. Frequently reaches above or at shoulder level. 100% of shift is indoors – 40% shift is sitting, and 20% is standing, 40% walking.
- Must be able to clearly communicate in English orally and in writing with residents and staff.
- Possesses necessary skills to continuously comprehend and communicate with residents, co-workers, and to respond to emergency alarms.
- Concentrates with frequent interruptions and remembers multiple messages, information and task assignments to perform a variety of tasks during an eight hour or longer periods of time.
12.21.SSD jd
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