Social Services Director - Nursing Home jobs in Gastonia, NC

Summary:

Identify and provide for each resident’s social, emotional and psychological needs, and the continuing development of the resident’s full potential during his/her stay at the facility and to assist in the planning for his/her discharge.

Environment:

Work will be performed primarily indoors at a long-term healthcare facility, throughout all areas, including in resident rooms, and on carpeted and/or tiled floors. Work will also be performed routinely around other co-workers, healthcare staff, residents, and guests. Due to the nature of facility’s business, worker may be exposed to occasional slippery floors, object on floors, chemicals, sharp objects, hazardous materials and waste (including human), blood borne pathogens, and communicable diseases, as well as high-stress medical and/or life-threatening situations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Meet physical and sensory requirements stated below and be able to work in the described environment.
• Identify and participate in process improvement initiatives that improve the customer experience, enhance work flow, and/or improve the work environment.
• Management duties including, but not limited to, hiring, training and developing, coaching and counseling, and terminating department staff, as deemed necessary.
• Ensure that corrective action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, as necessary.
• Provide timely and accurate completion of Social Services portion of the MDS, Resident Assessment Protocols, Resident Care Plan, and Progress Notes as well as Social Services Assessment, and other forms as required by the Administrator in order to comply with federal and state regulations and facility policies and procedures.
• Assist residents and families with social, emotional, and family issues.
• Participate in resident care planning by identifying the social and emotional needs of the residents in accordance with the medical assessment.
• Maintain progress notes for each resident as required by company policy and state and federal regulations, indicating response to the treatment plan and adjustment to facility life. Progress notes shall be recorded on the appropriate form and placed on the resident’s chart in compliance with state and federal regulations. Progress notes must reflect progress made regarding problems identified in the Plan of Care.
• Make referrals to support agencies when the need for such services is determined by the interdisciplinary team, keeping records of such referrals.
• Participate in the development of discharge plans as appropriate and prepare the resident for transition.
• Serve as general information source for families, residents and the public.
• Visit residents and perform needed services such as communicating with the family or friends, utilizing community resources, and informing the resident and/or legal representative of the Residents’ Rights.
• Coordinate logistics and content for monthly Family Council Meetings.
• Coordinate resident room changes.
• Contact the resident or legal representative and invite to care plan meetings to participate in evaluation of the resident.
• Maintain contact with the resident, legal representative, and other family members approved by the resident or legal representative, involving them in the resident’s total care and providing them with information on the resident’s status as requested or appropriate.
• Work with Activity Coordinator on providing requested effects for residents who do not have family support.
• Promote favorable working conditions and relationships with the administration, medical staff, physicians, consultants, other departments, residents, family members, volunteers, agencies, and any other individual or group affiliated with the facility.
• Work closely with the facility mental health provider to ensure that all resident psychosocial needs are identified, referrals are made, and services are provided.
• Assist in the education of the community regarding aging, rights of residents, facility services and other related topics.
• Orient the resident to the long-term care environment and facilitate adjustment upon placement.
• Other special projects and duties, as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology or psychology regardless of facility bed size.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, or bachelor’s degree in a human services field including but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology; AND
• One (1) year of supervised social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals
• Approval from Home Office if no educational degree or if educational degree is other than those listed above AND
• Approved social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals

Effective verbal and written English communication skills. Highest level of professionalism with the ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to communicate at all levels of organization and work well within a team environment in support of company objectives. Customer service oriented with the ability to work well under pressure. Strong attention to detail and accuracy, excellent organizational skills with ability to prioritize, coordinate and simultaneously maintain multiple projects with high level of quality and productivity. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to work with minimal supervision, take initiative and make independent decisions. Ability to deal with new tasks without the benefit of written procedures. Approachable, flexible and adaptable to change. Function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with stakeholders and vendors.

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

• Moderate physical activity:
• Requires handling of average-weight objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Sitting for more than two (2) hours at a time.
• Standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• Bending and/or stooping for more than one (1) hour at a time.
• Requires consistent computer work with repetitive typing and concentrating on computer screen.