JOB SUMMARY
Plans, organizes, develops, directs and evaluates the resident social work function in accordance with The Village at Germantown Mission and in accordance with current applicable Federal, State and local standards for Healthcare facility, which includes Memory Care and Assisted Living (MCAL). Assists Social Worker in day-to-day duties. Assists patients and their families to achieve and maintain maximum functioning in and outside of the community, through needs assessment, crisis intervention, counseling, and information and referral, and other miscellaneous duties as needed.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Responsibilities
Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of The Village at Germantown with emphasis on the Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care, MCAL admission and discharge criteria.
Be available to welcome the new resident, providing support and initiating a trusting relationship.
Participate with the interdisciplinary team for the initial assessment for admission to Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care and MCAL.
Collect information in order to formulate the Social History and Assessment and contribute to the resident service plan. It may be necessary to interview the family, friends, community agency representatives as well as utilize clinical records in order to complete these documents.
Contribute as an integral member of the interdisciplinary Resident Conference. This also involves stating the social/emotional needs related to the residents illness/disability, adjustment to placement, supportive network and response to treatment. The social worker makes specific recommendations to assist in the residents overall care and genuine well-being.
Write progress notes at least quarterly, or more frequently when there is a notable change. Each note should document progress made towards social service oriented goals, provide significant information about the individual and serve to communicate with the interdisciplinary team involved in the resident’s treatment.
Initiate and/or participate in the written discharge plan, when necessary, which states the resident’s specific need to be in the facility and if the resident is expected to be unable to function in this setting. The discharge plan should include consultation with other disciplines, the family, and the resident,whenever possible.
Provide active listening to residents who express the need to talk with a supportive individual. The social worker must work on establishing a good rapport with residents and be available to provide behavioral intervention/counseling.
Attend Resident Council meetings as a liaison to listen to resident concerns and clarify issues and/or facilitate changes, when invited by the Resident Council governing body. The Social Worker should be involved with the Activity Department and assist with the Resident Council meetings as necessary.
Contact community agencies for the purpose of resident referral. These agencies include, but are not limited to: Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Public Aid, Department of Rehabilitation Services, Veterans Administration. Community mental health centers, sheltered workshops, hospital programs, social clubs, etc.
Assist the resident to participate in individual and group programs and to utilize these programs to full advantage.
Participate in Health Maintenance Committee as indicated by resident need.
Possess strong verbal and written communication skills; have the ability to speak professionally and with confidence about all aspects of senior living including the nuances of independent living, adult day care, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing services.
Have excellent phone and computer skills.
Have the ability to tour referral sources, families and prospective patients/residents, directing them to the features of the healthcare facility that best meet their needs.
Excellent follow-up skills.
Must have the ability to work with all professional levels of management.
Essential Functions
The Social History and Assessment should contain information about the residents:
Adjustment to current illness and/or disability
Strengths, past interests, present interests
Previous living situation; present reaction/adjustment to long-term care
Significant others in the resident’s life
Level of functioning prior to illness/disability and placement
Behaviors observed in the facility
The Social Worker is a resident advocate, as well as a liaison between the resident and his/her family, the facility, and community agencies.
The Social Worker will provide family educational and support services, as required.
Specifically, the Social Worker is concerned with promoting:
Resident Right Issues
Explaining the rights to residents, guardians, or legal representatives in a language that they understand (including obtaining the services of a translator, if necessary)
Self-determination (choices, decision-making, autonomy)
Self-esteem
Treatment with full respect for each person’s individuality and dignity
Helping residents continue to pursue normal daily patterns
Grievance Policies/Procedures
Be available to listen to any and all residents/family/guardian concerns
Follow grievance procedures
Be available to work with the Resident Council as a resident advocate, upon the council’s request
Be available to act as a mediator and advocate per the council’s request.
Participating in Family Nights and other special events.
The Social Worker will participate in the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. This will be accomplished through formal and informal QAPI studies/audits.
Providing emotional support and adjustment counseling as an adjunct service to programs presently in place within the facility with the supervisor’s permission and guidelines.
Assisting the resident to participate in individual and group programs and to utilize these programs so that the resident receives maximum physical and psychosocial benefits.
Cross-train to fill in for the Healthcare Social Worker as needed
Additional Responsibilities
Expected to work 40 hours per week.
Be available to attend meetings, conference calls, and events. (May require flexible hours, i.e. some weekends/evenings/holidays).
Must have strong time management and organizational skills, be able to relate to all levels of management/professionals, and be a self-starter, goal-oriented, team player.
Dress in a professional manner, following The Village at Germantown Employee Handbook guidelines.
Conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.
Performs other duties as assigned by the VP of Healthcare or as may be required to meet emergency situations.
SPECIFICATIONS
Education/Skills/Abilities
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Must have the ability to read, write and speak English, perform basic arithmetic, understand measurements, and follow written and oral instructions. Computer literacy is necessary. CPR training is recommended, but not required. Must have broad knowledge of applicable healthcare and assisted living regulations and the ability to implement quality programs consistent with said regulations as needed.
Experience: Must have a minimum of one (1) year experience in Long Term Care or equivalent.
Confidentiality: Actively enforces resident and employee confidentiality and rights.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: The flow of work demands visual acuity, must have the ability to handle simultaneous tasks in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to identify hazards, comprehend consequences and determine action to take. Position requires walking or standing 75% of the time. Must be able to lift and carry 20 lbs. Must be able to move quickly, stand, walk, push, pull, bend, stoop, reach, and balance as needed. Must have the ability to perform gross and fine motor skills. May be exposed to communicable diseases including influenza, HIV and hepatitis. May be exposed to cleaning chemicals, dust, and foul odors. During emergencies or natural disasters, may be required to report for duty as assigned by management for the duration of the disaster. May be required to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed. Works in a retirement facility environment with regular exposure to chronically ill and frail elderly.
Safety: Enforces policy and procedures of infection control, SDS, disaster preparedness, safety rules and regulations for department and facility.
Work/Others: Maintain a productive working relationship with others.