Social Worker

Summary:

The Social Work department must function in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations and established facility policies and procedures, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the social service 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.
• 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.
• Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Administrator.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• 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 resident.
• Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family.
• Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the appropriate agency or Administrator as required.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the social services department.
• Maintain various registries and census reports, including register for admission and discharge of residents.

Medically Related Social Service Functions

• Interview residents, or family members, as necessary, to obtain social history. Encourage the resident/family to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care.
• Assesses as necessary the mood and cognition of residents and for the MDS.
• Monitors the usage and results of psychotropic and antipsychotic medications.
• Attend the Behavior meeting and ICC conferences for residents.
• Refer resident/families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the services or needs of the resident.
• Provides residents and/or legal representatives with information regarding end of life issues.
• Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in efforts to solve the needs and problems (including behavioral issues) of the resident through the development of social service programs.
• Maintain a quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.
• Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.
• Review complaints and grievances from residents and make written reports to the Administrator of action(s) taken. Follow facility's established procedures.
• Assure that social service progress notes 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, and that will aid in maintaining quality social service.
• 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.

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.
• Ensure that care plans are used in providing daily social services to the resident.
• Review nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed. Report problem areas to the DON.
• 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.
• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.
• Involve the resident/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident.

Committee Functions

• Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Resident Care Policy, Quality Assessment and Assurance, etc.) as required, and as appointed by the Administrator.
• Provide written and/or oral reports of the social service programs and activities as required, or as may be directed by such committee(s).
• Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of resident discharge plans.
• Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to social services.
• Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.
• Assist the Quality Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

Personnel Functions

• Assist in standardizing the methods in which social services tasks will be performed.
• Maintain a productive working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate social services to assure that daily social services can be performed without interruption.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.

Staff Development

• Assist 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 abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license.
• Attend and participate in annual safety, TB management, and bloodborne pathogen in-service training programs.
• Ensure that social service work areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Ensure that social services personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Report any exposure to blood/body fluids.

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.

Resident Rights

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Ensure that social services personnel are knowledgeable of the resident's rights and responsibilities including the right of refusal; serves as a resource for other staff members regarding resident rights.
• Provide residents with information concerning resident rights, advanced directives, etc. Explain as necessary.
• Participate in resident/group council meetings as requested and provide support services to such council.

Miscellaneous

• Be prepared to handle emergencies as they come up (i.e., rescheduling work assignments, work schedules, etc.).
• Work with the facility's consultants as necessary to coordinate appropriate care; implement recommended changes as required.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a Bachelors Degree in the Human Service field.

Experience

One year experience in a hospital, skilled nursing care facility, or other related medical facility is desirable.

Working Conditions:

May be exposed to unpleasant sounds, smells, and sights.

Subject to frequent interruptions

May be exposed to contagions or bacteria