Big Meadows Frontier Hollow Lyndon Play and Learn Center Lyndon Progress Center Pinnacle Place S.T.R.I.V.E. Winning Wheels.

 

Social Worker

PURPOSE OF YOUR JOB POSITION

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in the planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the overall operation of the 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 make your job description as complete as possible. 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 a logical assignment to the position.

RISK EXPOSURE CATEGORIES:

1 = Tasks may involve exposure to blood/body fluids.
2 = Tasks do not involve contact with blood/body fluids but could result in performing a Category 1 task.
3 = Tasks do not involve any risk of exposure to blood/body fluids.

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:

  • Assist in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the social service programs of this facility.3
  • Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures. 3
  • Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Director or Administration. 3
  • Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes. 3
  • Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures for the identification of medically related social and emotional needs of the resident. 3
  • Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family. 3
  • Participate in discharge planning, development, and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments. 3
  • Interview resident/families to obtain social history. Update at least yearly. 3
  • Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Director as required.3
  • Involve the resident/family in planning social service programs when possible. 3
  • Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary.3
  • Refer resident/families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the services or needs of the resident. 3
  • Provide information to resident/families as to medicare/medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident. 3
  • Assist in the review and updating of departmental job descriptions. 3
  • In the absence of the Director assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the social service department. 3
  • Maintain quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations. 3
  • Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required. 3
  • Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary. 3
  • Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Director concerning the operation of the social service department. 3
  • Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.3
  • Assist in providing 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. 3
  • Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plans for social treatment. 3
  • Interpret social, psychological, and emotional needs of the resident/family to the medical staff, attending physician, and other resident care team members. 3
  • Assist in obtaining resources from community social, health and welfare agencies to meet the needs of each resident. 3
  • 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 program. 3
  • Assist the Administrator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job related social functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded. 3
  • Assist the Quality Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies. 3
  • Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the social services department. 3
  • Participate in surveys made by authorized government agencies. 3
  • Assure that all progress notes charted are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident's response to the service.3
  • Maintain a reference library of written material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality social service. 3
  • Involve the resident/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident. 3
  • Meet with administration and nursing staff, as well as other related departments, in planning social service program, and activities. 3
  • Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Director or Administrator. 3

COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS:

Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility as required and appointed by the Administrator. 3 Provide written and/or oral reports of the social service programs and activities as required, or as may be directed by such committee(p). 3 Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of Discharge Plans and make such plans available. 3 Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to social services. 3 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. 3 Attend department meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called. 3

STAFF DEVELOPMENT:

Participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling of timely inservice training classes that provide instruction on "how to do the job?, and ensures a well-educated social services department. 3 Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the department, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties. 3 Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the social services department. 3 Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession. 3

SAFETY AND SANITATION:

Consistently follow established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies. 3 Ensure that social services work areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safe manner. 3 Participate in all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner. 3 Report any exposure to blood/body fluids. 3 Evaluate and recommend resident needing Wanderguard to ensure patient safety. 3

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY FUNCTIONS:

Recommend to the Director the equipment and supply needs of the department. 3 Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or required. 3 Develop and implement procedures that ensure social service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste. 3

CARE PLAN AND ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS:

  • Assist in developing preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the social service needs of each resident. 3
  • Assist in developing a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies their problems/needs. 3
  • Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends/ and-in other positions temporarily, when necessary. 3
  • Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
  • Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc.
  • May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
  • Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for social services/activities. 3

EDUCATION/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, 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;
  • Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action;
  • Possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public;
  • Possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise professional and non-professional personnel;
  • Have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity or maturity level at which they are currently functioning;
  • Possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices;
  • Must be able to relate information concerning resident's condition.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to:

  • Move intermittently throughout the workday;
  • Speak and write the English language in an understandable manner;
  • Cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position;
  • See and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met;
  • Function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies;
  • Be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability;
  • Relate to and work with the ill, disabled, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility;
  • To lift residents, medical equipment' supplies, etc, in excess of fifty (50) pounds;
  • To assist in the evacuation of residents.

Tasks assigned to this position may involve exposure to blood/body fluids.