Social Services Assistant

About the Role

The Social Services Assistant plays an integral role in the success of our team, our community, and creating a place our residents are proud to call home. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the overall operation of the Social Services Department. This ensures that the medically related emotional and social needs of residents are met and maintained on an individual basis, in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct an initial social service assessment including MMSE, social history, intake for MDS, and admit note.
• Review nursing charts and complete MDS within facility timelines.
• Develop a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies problems/needs and goals to be accomplished.
• Ensure all social services personnel are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in providing daily social services to residents.
• Review nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed; report problem areas to the Director of Nursing.
• Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plans for social treatment.
• Interview residents/families to obtain social history; involve them in planning social service programs when possible.
• Assist in the development, administration, and coordination of department policies and procedures.
• Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations and professional standards; recommend policy changes to the Executive Director.
• Participate in discharge planning, development, and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.
• Provide information to residents/families about Medicare/Medicaid and other financial assistance programs.
• Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.
• Assist in providing solutions for social and practical environmental problems, including financial assistance, discharge planning, and referrals to community agencies.
• Interpret social, psychological, and emotional needs of residents/families to medical staff and care team members.
• Obtain resources from community social, health, and welfare agencies to meet residents' needs.
• Ensure all charted progress notes are informative and descriptive of services provided and residents' responses.
• Maintain social service work areas in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Recommend equipment and supply needs to the Director; place orders as necessary.
• Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must meet all applicable state and federal requirements for the position.
• Possess a Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Nurse certification.
• Prefer social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals.

Skills

• Ability to make independent decisions and follow instructions.
• Tactful communication with personnel, residents, families, visitors, and government agencies.
• Capable of working with ill, disabled, elderly, and emotionally upset individuals.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with supervisors, team members, residents, and families.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have any direct reports or supervisory requirements.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Potential and/or direct exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants, and hazardous chemicals.
• Physical activities may include lifting up to [xx] pounds at times, alternating between standing and sitting.
• Cognitive requirements: ability to execute tasks independently, express ideas clearly, and demonstrate general computer literacy.
• Environmental exposure to ambient room temperatures and lighting.

Other

Employees commit to providing courteous, responsive, and quality service to residents by following the principles of the Platinum Service® program.