Social Services Associate, Discharge Planning

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 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 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.

Job Functions

• Administrative Functions
  • Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the social service programs of this Solaris HealthCare.
  • Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.
  • Keep abreast of current social service-related 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.
  • Be able to identify medically related social and emotional needs of the resident.
  • Participate in discharge planning, resident assessments, and development and implementation of social service care plans.
  • Interview resident/families to obtain social history information.
  • 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 Solaris HealthCare does not provide the services or needs of the resident.
  • Provide information to resident/families re: Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.
  • Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in an effort to develop social service programs that will solve the needs and problems of residents.
  • 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 medical professionals and other health related facilities and organizations.
  • Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.
  • Work with Solaris HealthCare’s consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
  • Make written and oral reports/recommendations as necessary 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 service interventions.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • Ensure that social service progress notes are current, 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. Meet with 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/Solaris HealthCare information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Director, Administrator, and Privacy Officer.
  • 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
• Personnel Functions
• Staff Development
• Safety and Sanitation
• Equipment and Supply Functions
• Care Plan and Assessment Functions
• Resident Rights
• Miscellaneous

Education

Preferably 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

Will preferably have one (1) year supervised social work experience in a health care setting working directly with individuals, discharge planning preferred.