Social Worker

Social Worker

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the overall operation of our facility’s 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 Director of Social Services and/or Administrator, to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis.

Delegation of Authority

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

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these 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 an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the social service programs of this facility.

Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.

Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Social Services Director or Administrator.

Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

Assist in developing and implementing 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.

Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.

Interview resident/families to obtain social history.

Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Director 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 information to resident/families as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to 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.

Assist in the review and updating of departmental job descriptions at least annually.

In the absence of the Director assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the social service department.

Maintain a quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.

Review and evaluate the department’s work force and make recommendations to the Director.

Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.

Work with the facility’s consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.

Delegate authority, responsibility, and accountability to other responsible department personnel

Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Director concerning the operation of the social service department.

Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.

Assist in providing solutions for social and practical environmental problems including seeking financial assistance, discharge planning (including collaboration with community agencies), and referrals to other community agencies when specialized assistance is required.

Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plans for social treatment.

Interpret social, psychological, and emotional needs of the resident/family to the medical staff, attending physician, and other resident care team members.

Assist in obtaining resources from community social, health and welfare agencies to meet the 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.

Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job related social functions to ensure that tasks involving potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

Review departmental complaints and grievances from personnel and make written reports to the Administrator of action(s) taken. Follow facility’s established procedures.

Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the social services department.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directed.

Ensure that all charted 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, standards of practice, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that 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 Director or Administrator.

Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

Agree not to disclose resident’s protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility’s information system.

Other duties as assigned.

Committee Functions

Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, 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.

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.

Meet with social services personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis, and solicit advice from inter-department supervisors concerning the operation of the social services department, assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.

Schedule and announce departmental meeting times, dates, places, etc.

Other duties as assigned.

Assist in the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of social services personnel.

Recommend to the Director the number and level of social services personnel to be employed.

Schedule department work hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work assignments, etc., to expedite work.

Counsel/discipline social services personnel as requested or as necessary.

Terminate employees when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the HR Director and/or Administrator.

Assist in standardizing the methods in which social services tasks will be performed.

Review and check competence of social services personnel and make necessary adjustments/corrections as required or that may become necessary.

Maintain an excellent working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate social services to assure that daily social services can be performed without interruption.

Assure that appropriate identification documents are presented prior to employment and that such records are maintained in the employee’s personnel record.

Make daily rounds to assure that social services personnel are performing required duties, and to assure that appropriate social service procedures are being rendered to meet the needs of the facility. Report problem areas to the Director.

Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.

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.

Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

Other duties as assigned.

Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling of timely in-service training classes that provide instructions on “how to do the job,” and ensure a well-educated social services department.

Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the department, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.

Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for the social services department.

Encourage the social services staff to attend and participate in outside training programs. Schedule times as appropriate.

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.

Ensure that all social services personnel attend and participate in annual facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

Other duties as assigned.

Safety and Sanitation

Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the social services department.

Ensure that the department’s policy and procedure manual identifies safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that may result in bodily injury.

Monitor social services personnel to assure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

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

Ensure that all social services personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes.

Ensure that social services personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

Assist the Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques.

Develop, implement and maintain a program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the residents and personnel.

Ensure that department personnel follow established procedures governing the use of labels and MSDSs.

Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

Ensure that department personnel performing tasks that may involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, etc., attend appropriate in-service training classes prior to performing such tasks.

Ensure that social services personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.

Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.

Other duties as assigned.

Equipment and Supply Functions

Recommend to the Director 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.

Check supply rooms to assure that needed supplies are readily available to perform assigned cleaning tasks.

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.

Ensure that MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the social services department.

Other duties as assigned.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

Assist in developing preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the social service needs of each resident.

Assist in developing 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.

Encourage the resident/family to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care.

Ensure that social services components of the MDS are completed and signed in a timely manner.

Assist in the scheduling of care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting.

Ensure that all social services personnel are aware of the care plan and 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 DONS.

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.

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.

Maintain current written records of department expenditures and assure that adequate financial records and cost reports are submitted to the Director upon request or as necessary.

Make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and/or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement.

Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.

Other duties as assigned.

Resident Rights

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

Knock before entering a resident’s room

Ensure that all social services personnel are knowledgeable of the resident’s rights, and responsibilities, including the right of refusal.

Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Director indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow facility’s established procedures.

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.

Provide residents with information concerning resident rights, living wills, etc. Explain as necessary.

Participate in resident/group council meetings as requested and provide support services to such council.

Other duties as assigned.

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.).

Be sure that appropriate protective clothing/devices is 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.

Working Conditions

Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility.

Moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.

Communicates with the medical staff, nursing service, and other department directors.

Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for social services/activities.

May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a Bachelors Degree from an approved school of Social Work.

Experience

Must have, as a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in social work or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field including but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology; and

Must have, as a minimum, one (1) year supervised social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals.

Specific Requirements

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.

Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning.

Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing social services.

Must be a member in good standing in the National Association of Social Workers and Academy of Certified Social Workers, Inc.

Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.

Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.

Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.

Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.