Social Service Director

Job Summary

Responsible for performing assigned social work duties and responsibilities within the facility. Plan, develop, organize, oversee, and run the overall operation of the Social Service Department in accordance with current Alden policies and procedures, federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in the Human Services field (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, or related field).
• One year of experience in working in the social service/case management realm of the healthcare field.
• Current knowledge of Federal and State Long-Term Care (LTC) Social Service regulations and/or ability to understand and interpret.
• Demonstrate skills and ability in working with and understanding the needs of the residents, families, other staff members and personnel from community agencies.
• The ability to produce concise, meaningful, clinical written reports, assessments, documentation, and care planning initiatives and articulate the social/psychological needs of the residents.
• The ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action that are in the best interest of the residents, staff, and families.
• The ability to deal tactfully with residents, family members, visitors, personnel, government agencies/personnel and the general public in a professional manor.
• The ability to accept and utilize professional supervision, consultation and in-service training/educational opportunities.
• The ability to handle confidential data with professional discretion.
• Possess the ability to guide and direct staff in therapeutic approaches effective with the dementia and behavioral population, as well as residents with mental health issues, on an ongoing basis, if applicable.
• Possess the qualities of empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, and humor in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.
• The willingness to be flexible regarding working hours in order to ensure quality of care.
• Understand and be able to manage emotional needs of yourself and your staff.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, family members, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to relate to and work with (physically/mentally) ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times hostile people.
• May be required to lift equipment, supplies, and occasionally move furniture.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B virus.