04 Jun Social Worker

The Social Worker is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, supervision and ongoing evaluation of the Social Services Department designed to meet and assist residents in attaining or maintaining their highest practicable well-being.  This includes identifying the need for medically related social services and ensuring that these services are provided in accordance with State and Federal regulations. 

Department: Social Services

Reports to: Nursing Home Administrator, CEO

Education and Experience Requirements:

All facilities must provide medically related social services to residents.  Any facility with more than 120 beds must employ a qualified social worker on a full-time basis.  The social services department must be directed by a qualified professional social worker who has:

1. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or another human services field to include, but not limited to, sociology, gerontology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, or psychology.
2. One year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals.

Responsibilities:

1. The Social Worker will complete and/or direct/delegate the completion of the social services component of the comprehensive assessment.  The Social Worker will also contribute to and/or direct/delegate contribution of social services goals and approaches to the comprehensive care plan.  These goals and interventions will be individualized to match the skills, abilities, and interests/preferences of each resident in compliance with Federal and State regulations, to include identifying and promoting individualized, non-pharmacological approaches to care that meet the mental and psychosocial needs of each resident.
2. Directing the Social Services department includes overseeing preadmission services for inbound residents, to include participation in interdisciplinary evaluation of residents’ needs for institutional care and completion of the PASARR Level I. 
3. The Social Worker will facilitate residents’ safe transition back into the community through interdisciplinary discharge planning and arrangement of community-based services and follow-up care.  The Social Worker will also assist residents and their representatives in locating and accessing financial, legal, and other community resources.
4. The Social Worker will coordinate implementation and oversight of procedures to ensure social services actions and interactions are adequately documented in each resident’s medical record, and that legal, ethical, and professional standards of social work practice and being upheld in written recordings.
5. The Social Worker is responsible for overseeing the establishment of departmental QA procedures and modification of those procedures where appropriate.
6. The Social Worker will oversee the process of Advance Care Planning for each resident upon admission, and make sure that any Advance Directives are reviewed with the resident/resident representative on a regular basis.  The Social Worker will ensure that staff members are made aware of the residents’ code status and end-of-life wishes and will assist with informing and educating residents and their representatives about health care options and ramifications.
7. The Social Worker will participate in facility policy development in order to positively impact the quality of care delivered to residents.  
8. The Social Worker ensures that staff members are knowledgeable about Resident’s Rights and encourages staff to maintain and enhance each resident’s dignity in recognition of each resident’s individuality.  The Social Worker will also advocate for residents and assist them in assertion of their rights within the facility.  When there is an allegation of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation, the Social Worker will report to the Administrator and appropriate State agency, as well as will lead a thorough investigation into the allegation.
9. The Social Worker will ensure that residents who display mental illness, or psychosocial difficulties such as coping with grief and loss, will have access to appropriate treatment and resources.
10. The Social Worker will support and/or fill in for the Social Worker at the hospital on an as needed basis.

Essential Functions:

• Make arrangements for residents to obtain items such as clothing and personal care supplies.
• Act as a resource for staff participating in behavioral interventions with residents.
• Assist residents in voicing and obtaining resolution to grievances.
• Participate in Resident and/or Family Council as needed or requested.
• Assist with, or arrange for, a resident’s communication of needs through the resident’s primary method of communication or in a language that the resident understands.
• Treat all residents with dignity and respect.  Promote and protect all residents’ rights.
• Establish a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility policies and procedures.  Comply with standards of business conduct, and state/federal regulations and guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of protected health information, including verbal, written, and electronic communications.
• Report noncompliance with policies, procedures, regulations, or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel.  Report any retaliation or discrimination to the HR or compliance officer.
• Report any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy. 
• Report work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to supervisor.
• Participate with the Administrator in developing a budget.
• Contribute to the facility efforts to maintain and/or improve quality of care through participation in the following:
  • Attend Care Plan meetings.
  • Serve as a member of the QAPI Committee.
  • Serve as a member of the Behavior Management Committee.
  • Attend Department Head/Stand Up Meetings.
  • Attend mandatory in-services.
  • Successfully complete the facility required training, and any Social Work continuing education and licensing requirements.

Skill Requirements:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to exercise judgement.
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Resourcefulness.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Positive attitude.
• Ability to coordinate and conduct meetings, set and achieve goals.
• Ability to be organized and efficient.
• Basic computer skills.
• CPR licensed and trained in first aid.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Ability to assist in evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, perform overhead lifting and perform other common physical movements as needed for the position.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

1. Moderate periods of sitting/standing/walking
2. Pushing/Pulling
3. Lifting/carrying >= 50 lbs.
4. Crawling
5. Climbing
6. Kneeling/Bending
7. Visual acuity
8. Hearing acuity

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