Director of Social Services

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of our Solaris HealthCare’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 Administrator, to assure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis.

Job Functions

• Administrative Functions
  • Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the social service programs of this Solaris HealthCare.
  • 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 Administrator.
  • 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 Solaris HealthCare 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 as necessary and in a private setting.
  • Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Administrator 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 Solaris HealthCare 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.
  • 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 Administrator.
  • Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.
  • Work with Solaris HealthCare’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 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.
  • Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in social services that assure the continued ability to provide daily social services.
  • 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.
  • Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job related social functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood or 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 Solaris HealthCare’s established procedures.
  • Assist the Quality Assessment and 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 Solaris HealthCare surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directed.
  • Interview residents, or family members, as necessary, to obtain social history.
  • 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, standards of practice, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality social service.
  • Develop and maintain a community and social services referral file of agencies and organizations that provide assistance to residents.
  • 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 Administrator.
  • Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/Solaris HealthCare 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 Solaris HealthCare’s information system.
• Committee Functions
• Staff Development
• Safety and Sanitation
• Equipment and Supply Functions
• Care Plan and Assessment Functions
• Budget and Planning Functions
• Resident Rights
• Miscellaneous

Education

Solaris must assure the availability of a qualified social worker on a full-time basis. A qualified social worker is an individual with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field including, but not limited to, sociology, gerontology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology.

Experience

Preferably will have as a minimum, two (2) years’ experience in a supervisory capacity in a long-term care or hospital setting.