Social Services Designee

Key Job Duties And Responsibilities

The primary purpose of the Social Services Designee is to assist in implementing and directing social service programs in accordance with current existing federal, state, and local standards, as well as our established policies and procedures. Assure that the residents physical, mental, emotional and social needs are met and maintained on an individual basis.

• Treat residents, family members, visitors, and team members with respect and dignity.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident and family information.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Affirm the Social Service Director in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing of the social service programs of this facility.
• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning social services, as directed.
• Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family.
• Coordinates admissions including readmissions, room moves and patient inquires.
• Participates in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.
• Aids in arranging transportation to appointments, transfers to another facility, discharges, etc.
• Interviews residents/families as necessary and in a private setting.
• Involves the resident/family in planning social service programs when possible.
• Provides information to resident/families as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.
• Performs administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submits such to the Director.
• May be required to coordinate resident Medicare and Medicaid benefits including beneficiary consent, denials, explanations, utilization and MS 2001.
• Responsible for coordinating VA and insurance benefits for residents.
• Records and maintains regular Social Service progress notes indicating response to the treatment plan and/or adjustment to institutional life.
• Collaborates with other departments as necessary.
• Makes routine visits to residents and performs services as necessary.
• Maintains contact with the resident's family, involving them with non-medical progress reports as necessary.
• Aids in interpreting social, psychological, and emotional needs of the resident/family to the medical staff, attending physician, and other resident care team members.
• Develops and maintains a good working rapport with other departments within the facility, and outside community health, welfare and social agencies, to assure that social service programs can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
• Attends and participates in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing tasks that may result in exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, or hazardous chemicals.
• Reports all incidents/accidents immediately.
• Participates in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills.

Essential Job Duties/Physical Requirements

• Regular worksite attendance.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an approved school of social work, preferred.
• Social service designee certificate or license, required.
• If required to operate a motor vehicle for business purposes, must successfully complete the requirements contained in Company’s Motor Vehicles policy.
• Must have basic computer skills.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must be able to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Must be able to perform the essential position functions of the job with, or without reasonable accommodation.
• Employee is required to use a transfer/gait belt or to obtain the assistance of another employee when attempting to assist residents when lifting or carrying objects in excess of 25 pounds.
• The employee must be aware that during the normal, routine performance of the essential functions, some of the following body movements may occur naturally, although they may not be a requirement of the job.
• Primary Physical Requirements: Lift up to 10 lbs: Occasionally Lift 11 to 25 lbs: Not required Lift 26 to 50 lbs: Not required Lift over 50 lbs: Not required Carry up to 10 lbs: Occasionally Carry 11 to 25 lbs: Not required Carry 26 to 50 lbs: Not required Carry over 50 lbs: Not required Reach above shoulder height: Occasionally Reach at shoulder height: Frequently Reach below shoulder height: Frequently Push/Pull: Occasionally Hand Manipulation: Grasping: Frequently Handling: Constantly Torquing: Not Required Fingering: Occasionally Other Physical Considerations Twisting, Bending, Crawling, Squatting, Kneeling, Crouching, Climbing and Balancing may be required.
• Employees may be required to operate and automobile and various games.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the Facility.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.