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 the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care plans that address the unique needs of each resident.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Be available to welcome new admission residents, provide support and initiate a trusting/therapeutic relationship.
• Clearly assess and document residents’ identified feelings about LTC placement (short/long-term), emotional, mental, environmental changes or physical limitations verbalized by resident (or family), which includes any observed non-verbal communications.
• Become knowledgeable of each individual resident’s background, cultural, life history, disease, and medical care needs in detail to ensure an appropriate person-centered social service plan.
• Prepare a plan of care for treatment with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) based on the Comprehensive Assessment for each resident.
• Contribute as an integral member of the IDT on a continual basis and at the Resident Care Plan Conferences.
• Initiate, facilitate, and/or participate in the written discharge plan which states the resident’s specific need to be in the facility or if the resident is expected to be able to function in a more independent setting.
• Make supportive visits to residents, writing progress notes at least quarterly, earlier when there is a notable change in condition.
• Provide good rapport through active listening with residents who express the need to talk and must be available to provide supportive counseling and behavioral intervention/programming as identified through oneself and/or community programming.
• Assist the resident to participate in individual and/or group programs and to utilize these programs to full advantage when offered in order to empower residents for better quality of life.
• Act as resident advocate, as well as a liaison between the resident and his/her family, the facility and community agencies.
• Maintain adequate record system for obtaining, recording, and filing of social service information.
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility’s Quality Improvement Programs.
• Participate in the facility safety committee, as assigned.
• Supervise, educate, counsel and discipline social service staff, as needed.
• Conduct, oversee, and complete initial and all on-going assessments and MDS, CAAs, and care planning initiatives, including but not limited to social, medical, cognitive, physical, neuro-psychological, behavioral, communication abilities and spiritual needs (in conjunction with/at the lead of the Activity Department), amongst others as it relates to individual social service needs.
• Enter an initial assessment note in the social service section of the chart within 48 - 72 hours of admission, completing assigned sections of the MDS and CAAs, and completing the comprehensive set of social service assessments to be completed within 14 days of admission, re-evaluation of the resident on a quarterly basis (sooner when a significant change/behavioral incident occurs), and a comprehensive re-evaluation annually.
• Assessment, intervene, document and follow-up with all behavioral incidents, as necessary.
• Complete all required documentation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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 read, write, and speak the English language in an understandable manner.
• 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 possess leadership ability and a willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• The ability to possess the ability to handle confidential data with professional discretion.
• The ability to possess experience and 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.
• The ability to possess the sincere desire to work with a variety of populations that require long-term or short-term care.
• The ability to possess the knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge to deal effectively with this population.
• The ability to 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.
• The ability to possess the qualities of empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, and humor in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.
• The ability to possess the willingness to be flexible regarding working hours in order to ensure quality of care.
• The ability to understand and be able to manage emotional needs of yourself and your staff.

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.
• Must be 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.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B virus.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
• Knowledge of Long-Term Care (LTC) Social Service regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to conduct assessments and develop care plans.
• Experience in managing and supervising social service staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, and community agencies.

Benefits

Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

Pay

Salary range: $X - $Y per hour/daily/weekly/monthly, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the residents and the department.