Job Description

Purpose of your Job position

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist the Social Service Director to plan, organize, develop and implement the social service programs in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations governing our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that an on-going social service program is provided to meet the medically related social service needs of the resident.

Delegation of Authority

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

Job Function

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

Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning social services as directed.

Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures for identifying the medically related social and emotional needs of residents

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

Interview residents/ families as necessary and in a private setting

Involve the residents/ family in identifying social service needs of the resident, when possible.

Refer residents/ resident representatives /families to appropriate social services agencies when the facility does not provide the services or the needs of the residents.

Obtain and document resident’s Advance Directives, if any

Provide residents/resident representatives/families information on Advanced Directives. Assist residents/ resident representatives in development of Advance Directives within the scope of our authority and refer residents/resident representatives to outside services for all additional needs.

Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies in an effort to solve the needs and problems of the resident through the development of social service programs

Record and maintain regular Social Service progress notes indicating response to the treatment plan and the resident’s physical, mental and emotional status as necessary. Report problems/ needs/changes in condition to the Social Service Director and/or nurse as necessary.

Assist the Social Service Director/ Abuse coordinator in investigation of allegations of abuse/neglect, mistreatment and/or misappropriation of resident property. Follow established facility policies and procedures.

Report any abuse and/or neglect of residents to the Abuse Coordinator and/or Administrator immediately upon identification and in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures

Assist the Social Service Director/ Grievance Coordinator in investigation of complaints. Follow facility established protocols.

Document all resident complaints and grievances and report the complaint to the Grievance Coordinator or Social Service Director. Follow facility's established procedures.

Assist the Social Service director in gathering information about residents to assist in the identification of the medically related social service needs of the residents, as directed.

Assist the Director in the identification of the resident’s cognitive, emotional, and psychological impairments.

Interact appropriately at all times with residents, families and visitors.

Assist the Director in completion of quarterly PASRR and Code Status audits

Report all accidents/incidents to the Administrator or designee immediately.

Participate in facility inspections (surveys) made by authorized government agencies

Implement resident-centered Social Service Plans of Care which accurately reflect and address the resident’s needs and upholds the resident’s rights

Assist in Discharge Planning for the social services portion of the resident's discharge plan.

Assist the Director in obtaining services/equipment/placement needed by the resident to ensure a safe discharge.

Assist in the completion/notification and submission of transfer and discharge notices, as directed and in accordance with facility policies.

Assist in room changes and completion of room change forms. Maintain the information in the resident’s EMR.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.

Assist the Director in interviewing residents or family members, as directed, to assure resident satisfaction.

Others activities as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Administrator.

Staff Development

Attend and participate in annual in-service training programs.

Attend and participate all Social Service Department in-services and trainings as directed.

Attend and participate in all mandatory facility in-services.

Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communications, TB management, and bloodbome pathogens standards.

Safety and Sanitation

Follow all safety standards for the Social Service Department.

Review and maintain knowledge of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for hazardous chemicals used or stored in the Social Service department.

Follow established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

Ensure that Social Service storage and work areas are maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary manner.

Follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes.

Participate in all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

Ensure use of appropriate protective clothing/devices when handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.

Follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.

Follow all Infection Control policies and procedures.

Immediately report hazardous conditions or equipment to the Director or Administrator

Ensure use of safety precautions and equipment when performing tasks that could result in bodily injury.

Equipment and Supply Functions

Implement procedures for the safe operation of all Social Service equipment. Do not utilize any equipment until trained and/or authorization to utilize equipment has been given.

Operate Social Service equipment in a safe manner.

Ensure that Social Service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

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

Resident Rights

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident information.

Knock before entering a resident's room.

Respect the resident’s right to privacy.

Ensure knowledge of and respect the residents’ rights, including the right of refusal.

Treat all residents, resident representatives, family and visitor with dignity and respect.

Miscellaneous

Be prepared to handle emergencies as they occur (i.e., rescheduling work assignments and work schedules, etc.).

Assist with movies, parties, and games/activities for residents.

Assist in obtaining necessary equipment and services for individual with blindness such as, but not limited to, obtaining reading material in Braille, tapes, and records as necessary.

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 staff, and other department supervisors and personnel.

Works beyond normal duty 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 work day, 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 dining services/activities.

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

Position Requirements

Must, at minimum, have completed high school.

Associates or Bachelor Degree in an activity or social work related field preferred.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, preferred (License must be current, active and unencumbered)

Experience

No experience required. “On the job” training provided.

Specific Requirements

Must possess and maintain a current “Eligible’ AHCA Background Screening Status

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

Must be knowledgeable of activity practices and procedures as well as the laws, regulations and guidelines governing Long Term Care Facilities.

Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel. Must have the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the Social Service Department.

Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of the facility’s areas.

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

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 work day.

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, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the 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 35 lbs. to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 450 feet.

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

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