Job Description

The Social Services Designee is responsible for providing leadership for working with residents in the nursing home by identifying their psychosocial, mental and emotional needs along with providing, developing, and/or aiding in the access of services to meet those needs including; coordinating pre-admission screening, admissions paperwork as well as organizing and conducting services that promote personal growth and family involvement in the overall care of the resident. This position aids residents and their families with personal and environmental difficulties, which may predispose illness or interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from skilled care. Furthermore, this position supports the extended stay and discharge process by providing information and referral services to residents and families.

DEVELOP STRATEGIES AND APPROACHES TO IMPROVE RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE BY UNDERSTANDING RESIDENT’S HISTORY AS WELL AS THEIR PHYSICAL, PSYCHOSOCIAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS AND DESIRES.

1. Provide informal or formal counseling to uncover event that may be interfering or hindering resident’s socialization and/or participation in facility events.
2. Facilitates psychosocial groups and/or “one-on-ones” as needed.
3. Create and foster environment that encourages the individuality of residents.
4. Assist residents in attaining and maintain their highest achievable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.
5. Encourage residents and family member to be a part of the care planning process.
6. Establish programs that encourage resident attendance.
7. Facilitate in-service training for staff relating to the aging process as well as physical, emotional, and social needs of residents. Reduce restraint use (physical and chemical).
8. Links care plan goals with the psychosocial, mental and emotional needs of the resident.
9. Complete an assessment of residents’ psychosocial needs at the time of admission, quarterly, and any time there is a change in condition.

DRIVES AND COMPLETES NECESSARY PRE-ADMISSION SCREENING, ADMISSION PAPERWORK, AND ESTABLISHES DISCHARGE SERVICES.

1. Interview residents and/or families prior to admission, ensuring that all appropriate admission forms are complete.
2. Review resident’s charts and contacts family to gather background material in order to develop social history on new admissions.
3. Complete admission paperwork accurately, timely, and in compliance with Federal and State Policies and Procedures.
4. assistant programs that are available such as Medicare, Medicaid, Medical Assistance (MA), etc.
5. Assist residents and families to understand and explain the state of Resident’s Rights.
6. Tours facility with resident and/or family, providing information on admission policies, procedures, and other information of concern to families and at family request.
7. Assist with discharge planning for residents who are transferring or returning to the community.
8. Assist in processing forms or applications in the effort of obtaining outside services (Social Security (SS), Medicare, Veterans Affairs (VA), Medical Assistance (MA), etc.

FUNCTION AS LIAISON AND PRIMARY SOURCE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES.

1. Acts as a comforting resource to residents and their family members as needed.
2. Complete grievance documentation and present findings to the leadership team.
3. Follow up on grievance to ensure completion and proper documentation.
4. Establish and maintain a professional relationship with vendors such as hospice, home health care, and community agencies.
5. Meets emotional needs of resident and/or family by assisting with acceptance of losses, changes in family relationships and financial status.
6. Organizes and facilitates family support groups at regular intervals.
7. Obtain resources for residents with special needs (i.e. interpreter-sign language/foreign language)

RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING REPORTS, MAINTAIN SOCIAL SERVICES MANDATED DOCUMENTS, AND ATTEND LEADERSHIP MEETINGS AS REQUIRED.

1. Maintains documentation and records of all Social Worker contact with families, friends, or community agencies on behalf of residents.
2. Attends Resident Care Plan conferences, assisting in the development of goals for each resident.
3. Ensure that Social Service interventions are recorded on required documents and that the appropriate action is taken.
4. Perform clinical evaluations and reports on assigned residents.
5. Complete on-going documentation relating to Social Services Intervention for residents.
6. Facilitate in-service education and training for staff regarding Resident Rights and the services provided by the Social Services team.
7. Participate in facility meetings and new staff orientation.
8. Promote compliance with Federal and State mandated laws, rules, and regulations as they pertain to Resident Rights.

Qualifications

• Desire Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field from an accredited academic institution, including, but not limited to: gerontology, sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, psychology. Substitution of experience in lieu of education per community policy.
• Knowledge of long-term health care Federal and State law, rules and regulations.
• Three (3) to five (5) year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting, working directly with individuals desired.
• Flexible work schedule

Additional Information

TRAVERSE CARE CENTER WILL USE EMAIL AS A METHOD OF COMMUNICATION WITH APPLICANTS. PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM OR JUNK FOLDER FOR EMAILS FROM SMART RECRUITERS AND ADD @SMARTRECRUITERS.COM TO YOUR SAFE EMAIL LIST.