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.

About the Role

The Social Service Department plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive social services to residents, ensuring their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The department collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement personalized care plans that address the unique needs of each resident.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement social service plans for residents based on comprehensive assessments.
• Contribute to the interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss and update care plans.
• Initiate, facilitate, and participate in the written discharge plan process.
• Provide supportive visits to residents and document progress notes.
• Assist residents in participating in individual and group programs to enhance their quality of life.
• Act as a resident advocate and liaison between the resident, family, facility, and community agencies.
• Maintain accurate records and participate in facility's quality improvement programs.
• Supervise, educate, counsel, and discipline social service staff as needed.
• Oversee and complete initial and ongoing assessments, MDSs, CAA assessments, and care planning initiatives.
• Document all behavioral incidents and interventions as necessary.

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.
• Skills and ability to work with and understand the needs of residents, families, other staff members, and personnel from community agencies.
• Ability to produce concise, meaningful, clinical written reports, assessments, documentation, and care planning initiatives.
• Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Ability to work with residents, families, visitors, personnel, government agencies/personnel, and the general public in a professional manner.
• Leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Ability to accept and utilize professional supervision, consultation, and in-service training/educational opportunities.
• Professional discretion in handling confidential data.
• Qualified marketing skills to effectively express the Alden’s Social Services Program to the community, other health professionals, outside professional organizations, senior services, government agencies, and any other provider or professional in the community.
• Sincere desire to work with a variety of populations that require long-term or short-term care.
• Knowledge and ability to apply knowledge to deal effectively with this population.
• 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.
• Empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, and humor in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.
• Willingness to be flexible regarding working hours in order to ensure quality of care.
• Understanding and ability to manage emotional needs of yourself and your staff.

Physical Requirements

• Able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately.
• Independent, flexible, personal integrity, and ability to work effectively with residents, family members, personnel, and support agencies.
• In good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Capable of coping with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Capable of relating to and working with (physically/mentally) ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people.
• Free of physical limitation so as to be able to participate in the physical crisis prevention (CPI) techniques as trained by a certified trainer.
• May be required to lift equipment, supplies, and occasionally move furniture.
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B virus.

General Benefits

• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement / Pension Plan
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance