Discover a Career with Bethesda Home of Aberdeen

Department: Admissions & Social Services
Reports To: Administrator

Exempt Status: Non-exempt

FUNCTION: Directs and supervises social service program. Evaluates the social needs of each resident admitted and formulates a written plan of care. Reviews and revises plan as necessary, in accordance with state regulations. Refers residents and families to appropriate community resources as necessary. Discharge planning shall be in keeping with resident's discharge needs. Coordinates admission of residents. Any other duties as may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises Admissions & Social Service Assistant and any other individuals assisting in the area of Social Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Persons who have been found quality by a court of law of abusing, neglecting or mistreating individuals in a health care related setting are ineligible for employment in this position.

• Knowledge of regulatory standards and compliance requirements.

• Freedom from illegal use of drugs.

• Freedom from use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

• Must have knowledge of special needs and limitations of elderly. Is able to recognize and identify situations in which problems are such that referral is indicated. Has sufficient understanding and self-discipline to relate sensitively to the patient's needs and feeling.

• Interested in learning and advancement.

• Ability to work congenially with others.

Education and/or Experience: Graduate of a college or university in healthcare or long-term care or have an equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must have strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups and/or individuals such as managers, clients, customers, and the public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as statistical process control tools, and budgets. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situation.

REASONING ABILITY: Literate; emotional maturity; integrity; poise, dignity sufficient to permit full performance of the duties of the position. Ability to define and solve problems, collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must have a genuine interest in the elderly, patience and tact. Good listening traits.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITES:
Support Services:

• Interviews resident and family and completes necessary forms.

• Identifies and evaluates personal, emotional, and environmental concerns that might otherwise prevent or limit the resident's full use of medical, nursing and restorative care. Formulates a written plan of care for resident.

• Records continuing progress notes on the resident's social needs and the response of the resident to social services.

• Assembles and maintains a store of information on community resources and helps other staff to access.

• Gives assistance or help in locating and arranging for services of other professionals or agencies as needed.

• Participates regularly in care plans with nurses and other staff to assist in better understanding the resident and his family.

• Keeps a record of contacts with the family and assess resident responses.

• Counsels new residents and their families to inform them of services to residents, utilizing resident's rights and responsibilities; and provides direct services to residents, utilizing available resources directed toward helping the resident solve problems associated with illness, disability, and the aging process.

• Completes the social history after interviewing residents, relatives, friends, and other significant individuals who are concerned with the resident's illness.

• Maintain social work progress notes by recording significant contact made while performing the service.

• Assists in coordination of discharge planning for residents.

• Provides direct services to the resident's family and/or persons concerned with his/her welfare. Develops meaningful, ongoing relationships with relatives, friends, legal guardians, and other significant individuals who will contribute to the resident's successful adjustment to facility.

• Assist in collaborating with other facility disciplines in developing comprehensive care program.

• Utilizes re-motivation techniques which encourage residents to take interest in their surroundings.

• Cooperates with the therapists in setting up individual programs.

• Develops and maintains a working relationship with public and private health and welfare agencies, i.e. public social services, home health agencies, community hospitals, and community mental health clinics.

• Facilitate resident/family meetings for purpose of Care Planning.

• Conduct Family Council meetings.

• Attend Interdisciplinary Team meetings.

• Assess and monitor resident behaviors and interventions.

• Participate in Psychotropic Drug meetings.

RESIDENT RIGHTS: Promotes residents' rights; assists residents to make informed decisions; treats residents with dignity and respect: reports suspected abuse or neglect; supports independent expression, choice, and decision-making.

LEADERSHIP: Demonstrates willingness to communicate and discuss potential areas of risk with appropriate manager; generates new ideas for change; evaluates and recognizes priorities, selects effective team members, challenges others to learn, keeps current and integrates new information, communicates and models organization values, fosters high performance, recognizes need for and provides adequate resources.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT: Applies Continuous Quality Improvement principles, tools, and techniques; assists in data collections; identifies processes for improvement in daily work; educates new staff in team process.

ENVIRONMENT OF CARE: Demonstrates understanding of fire and emergency procedures; participates in fire and disaster drills; maintains emergency supplies and equipment; demonstrates understanding of safety and security procedures; applies safety and security precautions; demonstrates understanding of hazardous materials plan; demonstrates proper use of equipment.

INFECTION CONTROL: Applies hand washing principles during daily work; demonstrates understanding of isolation precautions; complies with the employee health program; demonstrates understanding of the process for identifying and handling infectious waste; maintains personal hygiene; complies with OSHA standards in the workplace; and demonstrates understanding of cross-contamination.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: Enters or records data; promotes confidentiality of resident information; logs onto the system using own password; logs off the system when leaving the workstation; reports suspected violation of security/confidentiality issues; reviews data and identifies trends.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Demonstrates active listening techniques; gains support through effective relationships; treats others with dignity and respect; seeks feedback; sets clear standards for performance; evaluates job performance and provides effective feedback; establishes systems to measure effectiveness, efficiency and service; creates and maintains reporting mechanisms.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: Attends in-service and education programs; attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure.