Social Services Assistant

About the role

This role assists in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing social service programs in accordance with federal, state, and local standards, and our established policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning social services, as directed.
• Aid in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.
• Aid in developing and implementing policies and procedures for identifying the medically related social and emotional needs of the resident.
• Aid in providing medically related social services to achieve the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.
• Aid in providing information to resident/families regarding Medicare/Medicaid and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.
• Aid in providing consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in solving the needs and problems of the resident through the development of social service programs.
• Aid in the development of and participate in regularly scheduled orientation and in-service training programs in relation to the social, emotional, and medical needs of the residents.
• Aid in the development of the department’s budget.
• Report suspected or known incidences of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information.
• Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) required or a Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field (e.g., sociology, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or gerontology) with one year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting.
• Experience: Minimum of one year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting such as a hospital, nursing facility, hospice, or related program. Prior long-term care or skilled nursing facility experience preferred.
• Licenses and Certifications: Social work licensure (LSW, LMSW, LCSW, or state equivalent) if required by state law. Must meet all state and federal qualification standards for social workers in skilled nursing facilities. Completion of mandatory in-service trainings, including resident rights, abuse prevention, dementia training, and HIPAA, as required by the facility and state regulations.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, read, and hear.
• Frequent use of standard office equipment including a computer, telephone, copier, scanner, calculator, and fax machine.
• Prolonged periods of computer work and documentation.
• Occasional lifting or moving of items up to 25 pounds, such as resident charts, office supplies, or equipment.
• Occasional bending, reaching, and stretching during filing, resident interaction, or office tasks.
• Must be able to move throughout the facility to meet with residents, families, staff, and other departments.
• May be required to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.