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Job Description
Director of Social Services SALARY:
$75,000 to $80,000 Per Year
BENEFITS
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Life Insurance Disability Insurance 401K Holiday Pay Paid Time Off
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Social Services is responsible for the overall planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the social services department within the facility. This leadership role directs policies regarding participation in community planning for health and welfare services, oversees departmental research, and commands the facility's discharge planning and community resource integration. The Director ensures the department operates in strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while advocating for the highest quality of resident care and rights.
RESPONSIBILITIES / ACCOUNTABILITIES
Departmental Leadership:
Plans, develops, organizes, implements, and evaluates the comprehensive social services programs, providing strategic direction for counseling and support services for residents and families.
Staff Supervision:
Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates social work staff, ensuring professional standards and facility protocols are maintained.
Clinical Oversight:
Oversees the identification of medically related social needs of residents. Ensures the team maintains accurate, timely, and compliant records relating to residents' social work needs and total plan of care.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration:
Represents the Social Services department in interdisciplinary leadership meetings, consulting with the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and other department heads to resolve systematic or individual care issues.
Complex Case Management:
Works directly with high-risk residents and families experiencing complex personal, environmental, or financial difficulties related to the resident's physical or emotional condition.
Quality Assurance:
Establishes and maintains standard operating procedures for the frequency and nature of social service consultations, periodically auditing medical records to ensure clinical excellence.
Discharge Planning Command:
Directs and audits the facility's discharge planning processes, ensuring seamless transitions of care to appropriate community resources based on functional capacity.
Advocacy & Liaison:
Serves as the primary liaison between residents, families, outside regulatory agencies, and the facility Administrator to ensure resident rights are protected and upheld.
Financial & Administrative Management:
Prepares departmental budgets, reviews financial changes for residents (e.g., Medicaid transitions), and generates comprehensive reports for executive administration.
Safety & Compliance:
Ensures the Social Services department adheres to legal, safety, health, fire, and sanitation codes. Actively participates in the facility's disaster, fire, and safety committees.
SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL / VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution is highly preferred; a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related human services field with extensive leadership experience may be considered.
Licensure:
Minimum requirement of LSW (Licensed Social Worker) or CSW; LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) preferred.
Certifications:
Must possess any active certifications required by New Jersey State regulations for social work directors in long-term care/skilled nursing facilities.
Experience:
Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive social work experience in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management capacity.
JOB SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS
Advanced leadership, supervisory, and interpersonal skills. Executive-level written and verbal communication skills. Comprehensive, expert knowledge of Federal and New Jersey state regulations relating to long-term care social services. Proven ability to problem-solve, manage crises, and make high-level administrative decisions independently. Ability to foster positive relationships with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and government/regulatory agencies. Provide annual verification of a negative TB skin test. Bilingual English/Spanish is highly desirable.
PERFORMS RELATED DUTIES
Represents the facility at community events, professional organizations, and regulatory hearings. Interacts professionally with residents, families, visitors, and employees. Carries out other executive and administrative tasks as requested by the facility Administrator.
