Director of Social Services

Director of Social Services 3.0 3.0 out of 5 stars 814 North Davis Street, Manila, AR 72442 Full-time Manila Nursing Center 2 reviews Full-time

PURPOSE OF YOUR JOB POSITION

The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of the Social Services Department in accordance with current Federal, State and local standards, guidelines and regulations, our established policies and procedures, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the residents are met/maintained on an individual basis.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

As the Director of Social Services, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been made to keep your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that they are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the social service programs of this facility. Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in the policies and procedures to the Administrator. Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes. Develop and implement policies and procedures for the identification of medically related social and emotional needs of the residents. Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family. Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments. Interview resident/families as necessary and in a private setting. Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Administrator as required. Involve the resident/family in planning social service programs when possible. Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary. Refer resident/families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the services or needs of the resident. Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in efforts to solve the needs and problems of the resident through the development of social service programs. Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the Social Services Department. Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations. Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary. Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required. Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the Social Services Department. Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished. Interpret the department's policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc. Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in social service that assure the continued ability to provide daily social services. Review and develop a plan of correction for social service deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide a written copy of such to the Administrator. Maintain an ongoing Quality Assurance Program for the Social Services Department. Participate in survey (inspections) made by authorized government agencies. Interview residents or family members, as necessary, to obtain social history. Assure that all progress notes charted are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident's response to the service. Maintain a reference library of written material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations which will provide assistance in maintaining quality social service. Involve the resident/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident. Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning social service programs and activities. Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Administrator. Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of discharge plans and make such plans available to the Utilization Review Committee as required or as may be necessary. Attend and participate in the Utilization Review Committee functions as required or as may be necessary. Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to social services. Attend department head meetings, etc., a scheduled or as may be called.

PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS

Recommend to the Administrator the number and level of social services personnel to be employed. Assist in standardizing the methods in which social services tasks will be performed. Maintain an excellent working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate social services to assure that daily social services can be performed without interruptions. Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the Social Services Department. Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

SAFETY AND SANITATION

Ensure that social service work areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. Follow Universal Precautions.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY FUNCTIONS

Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department. Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as may be required. Make periodic rounds to check equipment and to assure that necessary equipment is available and working properly. Ensure that all personnel operate social service equipment in a safe manner. Develop and implement procedures that ensure social service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

CARE PLAN AND ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS

Develop preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the social service needs of each resident. Develop a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies the problems/needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem/need identified. Insofar as practical, encourage the resident to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care. Assist in the scheduling of care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting. Review nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed. Review and revise care plans and assessments as necessary, but at least quarterly. Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.

BUDGET AND PLANNING FUNCTIONS

Forecast needs of the department. Assist in preparing and planning the social services department's budget for food, equipment, supplies, and labor and submit to the Administrator for review, recommendations, and approval. Make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and/or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement.

RESIDENTS' RIGHTS

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information. Ensure that all social services personnel are knowledgeable of the resident's rights and responsibilities. Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Administrator indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Maintain a written record of the resident's complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.

MISCELLANEOUS

Make weekly inspections of all social service functions to assure that quality control measures are continually maintained. Be prepared to handle emergencies as they come up (i.e., rescheduling work assignments and work schedules, etc.) Make sure that appropriate protective clothing/devises are on hand for handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids. Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.