Social Services Advocate

About the Role

The Social Services Advocate provides medically related social work services to ensure each resident attains or maintains the highest practicable level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. This role participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team and may assist patients in treatment planning.

Responsibilities

• Assess and evaluate each resident’s psychosocial needs and develop goals for providing necessary services, including participation in the admission process as needed.
• Incorporate social service goals into the resident’s plan of care and attend care planning conferences.
• Assist residents in adjusting to the organization and promote a positive environment for continuity of relationships with family and community.
• Help residents and families utilize community resources when not provided directly by the organization.
• Maintain confidential records and conduct interviews with residents and families as appropriate.
• Provide supervision for social work student interns.
• Assist in the development, supervision, and education of staff.
• Serve as the team lead in discharge planning.
• Participate as a member of the marketing committee.
• Ensure completion of required components of DPOA or guardianship paperwork.
• Coordinate services with psychiatric providers and OBRA.
• Assist the Clinical IDT in resident room management.
• Help residents and families resolve grievances as assigned.
• Attend Clinical IDT meetings and serve as an advocate for resident rights.
• Provide social work consults to evaluate and recommend Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnoses for residents as requested.
• Perform related tasks as required.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in gerontology or a related field.
• At least one year of experience in a social services program for the elderly or related field.

Skills

• Knowledge of skills necessary to conduct and evaluate assessments of the social and economic aspects of resident care, including identifying and evaluating changes in mood and behavior.
• Working knowledge of skills to provide continuity and coordination of resident care, including interviewing residents and families and communicating with community resources.
• Knowledge of community agencies and resources for making referrals.
• Basic business computer knowledge.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, residents, and families.
• Ability to plan, implement, and work with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely for social histories and care plans.
• Strong listening skills and a helpful attitude toward residents with terminal illnesses and their families.
• Ability to provide social work consults to evaluate and recommend DSM diagnoses for residents.
• Familiarity with the most recent DSM and ability to keep current with changes.
• Ability to provide full axis (1-5) diagnoses and recommendations for resident care.

Other Requirements

• Manual dexterity required to operate modern office equipment.
• Ability to travel as needed or assigned.