Social Services Designee

Wesley Towers, Inc.

Job Description

Title:   Social Services Designee                                       Reports To:   Director of Nursing

Department:  Nursing                                                       Status:   Hourly compensation

JOB SUMMARY

Provide medically-related social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, spiritual, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Responsibilities:

- In recognizing each resident's unique strengths, desires, resources and limitations, provide services and opportunities for maintaining each resident's right to self-determination, personal dignity and value as a human being as reflected in the mission of Wesley Towers. Act as resident advocate.

- Ensure the development of individualized daily programming for each resident; this will help to meet each resident’s needs and enhance the atmosphere of caring. Assist in the resident's adjustment to the facility and/or the resident's change in mental, physical or psychosocial condition.  Provide supportive services when needed.

- Assist with coordination of admissions.

- Assist residents with problems and concerns and coordinate communication with families.  Monitor significant events in residents' lives.

- Assist residents in becoming aware of, understanding and exercising their Resident Rights.  Honor Resident Rights policies at all times.

- Develop a Social History on each resident and update annually.  Maintain social data and records related to the resident's social, emotional and psychological needs and status through documentation of pertinent psychosocial information.  SSD to address CAAs/Triggers assisting MDS Coordinator in addressing psychosocial approaches.

- Identify resident social, psychological and emotional strengths and needs and develop a plan of care, including goals, for residents on case load.   Participate in care planning meetings for each resident giving appropriate input.  Write progress notes in a timely manner.  Help residents maintain maximum level of independence.  Alert staff to special needs and proper approaches to individual situations. Coordinates discharge planning for residents leaving facility.

- Develop and provide Social Services programs and individual visitation as designated on the  individual's Plan of Care to develop a close relationship with residents as appropriate to meet social needs.

- Work with families to orient, discuss family concerns, inform of plan of care, address any personal needs, and schedule family conferences PRN.

- Assist with daily delivery of mail and forward mail as appropriate.

- Complies with Federal and State regulations for Social Services.

- Work closely with Activities in meeting the needs of the residents.  Run errands, arrange outings and shopping trips for residents, monitor personal care needs, and assist in parties and family events as necessary.

- Sets a positive tone and enthusiastic working atmosphere for the Social Services department.

- Reports regularly and meet as needed with VP of Health Services regarding Social Services programs and operations.

- Accompany residents to physician appointments as requested. Attend resident funerals as able (depending on time and location).

- Work with Resident Council.  Assist in developing agenda as requested by council leadership. Assist with regular meetings and work with priorities, concerns and resolutions as assigned.

- Document services provided/offered according to regulations and facility policies.

- Make visits to residents that are in the hospital for an extended stay.

- Contact outside sources for speakers and others to address resident/family needs.

- Assist with planning, recruiting, training, scheduling and maintaining social services/activity volunteer program in conjunction with overall facility volunteer program.

- Participate in on-going education and inservice training.  Provide such training as appropriate.

- Provide for evening and weekend social services as necessary.

- Responsible for safety of residents under his/her supervision.

- Work with community resources to help meet residents' needs.  Attend appropriate community group meetings, as time allows.

- Participate in budgetary plans for program.

- Participate in facility-wide continuous service improvement program as necessary.

- Assist with needs of Social Services department as assigned.

Special Demands:

Must use patience and tact in dealing with residents, families, staff and the community at large.  Establishes and maintains rapport with volunteers.  Ability to communicate effectively with residents, their families and the staff.  Flexibility in scheduling.  Belief in the importance of human relationships and an understanding of human behavior.  Must keep all information confidential.  Have the ability to design and facilitate individual and group programs to meet social needs of residents.  Can hear normal and soft tones to hear resident conversations.  Must demonstrate sensitivity to the particular needs of the elderly.

Physical Demands:

Position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking and bending.  Occasional pushing of residents in wheelchairs.  Must be able to lift 30#’s unassisted.  Daily documentation required.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

1.       Social Services Designee certificate valid in Kansas or must be willing to attend classes to obtain certificate.

2.       Must be a certified nurse aide or be willing to attend classes to obtain license.

3.       Must have or be willing to obtain Activity Director certificate through a 36 hour course.

4.       Previous experience with the geriatric or in a social services position preferred.  On-the-job training.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Well-lighted and ventilated building.  May be exposed to residents having communicable diseases and disagreeable odors.