DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES
POSITION DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Administrator
SUPERVISES: Social Workers
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
Education: Must possess, at a minimum, a Bachelors Degree in Social Work or related field; however, Masters Degree is preferred.
Licensure: None
Experience: Must have, as a minimum, two (2) years experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital, skilled nursing care facility, or other related medical facility.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS : 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 possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise professional and non professional personnel. Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning. Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing social work practices.
PURPOSE OF YOUR JOB POSITION : The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct 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 Administration, to assure that the emotional and social needs of the resident are met/maintained on an individual basis.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY : As Director of Social Services, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.
JOB FUNCTIONS : Every effort has been made to keep 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.
WORKING CONDITIONS : Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility. Sits, stands, bends, lifts and 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 service, and other department supervisors. Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary. Attends and participates in continuing educational programs. Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day. 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.
RESIDENT'S RIGHTS : Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information. Ensure that all social services personnel are knowledgeable of the resident's rights and responsibilities. Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Asst. Administrator indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance within 3 work days. Provide residents with information concerning resident rights funds, living wills, etc. Explain as necessary.
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 and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability. 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 twenty (20) pounds. Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.
BON SECOURS MISSION & VALUES :
a) Consistently demonstrates full understanding of the mission and values of Bon Secours.
b) Treats residents, visitors and staff members in dignified manner with respect, kindness and understanding.
c) Is pleasant and professional at all times with all interactions.
d) Attends mandatory Mission in-services.
e) Uses time productively coordinating with others to achieve common goals and objectives.
ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:
a) Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the social service programs of this facility.
b) Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.
c) 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.
d) Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.
e) Develop and implement policies and procedures for the identification of social and emotional needs of the resident.
f) Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family.
g) Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of social care plans and resident assessments.
h) Interview resident/families as necessary and in a private setting.
i ) Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the
Asst. Administrator as required.
j) Involve the resident/family in planning social service programs when possible.
k) Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary.
l) Refer resident/families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the services.
m) Provide information to resident/families as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident.
n) 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.
o) Assist in the review and updating of departmental job descriptions at least annually.
p) Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the social service department.
q) Maintain quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.
r) Review and evaluate the department's work force and make recommendations to the Asst. Administrator.
s) Coordinate social service activities with other departments as necessary.
t) Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
u) Delegate authority, responsibility, and accountability to other responsible department personnel.
v) Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the social service department.
w) Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.
x) Interpret the department's policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc.
y) Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Asst. Administrator adjustments in social services that assure the
continued ability to provide daily social services.
z) Review and develop a plan of correction for social service deficiencies noted during survey
inspections and provide a written copy of such to the Asst. Administrator.
aa) 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.
ab) Review departmental complaints and grievances from personnel and make written reports to the Administrator of action(s) taken within 5 work days.
ac) Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
ad) Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the social services department.
ae) Participate in surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
af) Interview residents, or family members, as necessary, to obtain social history.
ag) Assure that social service progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident's response to the service.
ah) 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.
ai) Involve the resident/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident.
aj) Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning social service programs and activities.
ak) Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Administrator.
COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS :
a) Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility, (i.e., Infection Control, Policy
Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, Quality Assessment and Assurance, etc.,) as required, and as appointed by the Asst. Administrator.
b) Provide written and/or oral reports of the social service programs and activities as required, or as may be directed by such committee(s).
c) Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of Discharge Plans.
d) Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to social services.
e) 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.
f) Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.
g) Schedule and announce departmental meeting times, dates, places, etc.
PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS :
a) Assist in the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of social services personnel.
b) Determine departmental staffing requirements necessary to meet the social service department's needs, and assign a sufficient number
of social services personnel for each tour of duty.
c) Recommend to the Asst. Administrator the number and level of social services personnel to be employed.
d) Schedule department work hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work
assignments, etc., to expedite work.
e) Delegate administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to other social services personnel
as deemed necessary to perform their assigned duties (i.e., Social Worker, Social Service
Designee, etc.).
f) Counsel/discipline social services personnel as requested or as necessary.
g) Terminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such action
with the Personnel Director and/or Asst. Administrator.
h) Assist in standardizing the methods in which social services tasks will be performed.
i) Review and check competence of social services personnel and make necessary
adjustments/corrections as required or that may become necessary.
j) Maintain a productive working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate social
services to assure that daily social services can be performed without interruption.
k) Assure that appropriate identification documents are presented prior to employment and that such
records are maintained in the employee's personnel record.
l) Make daily rounds to assure that social services personnel are performing required duties, and to
assure that appropriate social service procedures are being rendered to meet the needs of the
facility.
m) Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well
as a calm environment throughout the facility.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT :
a) Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling of timely in-service training classes
that provide instructions on "how to do the job", and ensures a well educated social services
department.
b) Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee
to the department, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.
c) Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for
the social services department.
d) Encourage the social services supervisory staff to attend and participate in outside training
programs. Schedule times as appropriate.
e) Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in service training programs
that relate to the social services department.
f) Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of
changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.
g) Assure that all social services personnel attend and participate in a hazardous communication and
universal precautions training program as established by current CDC and OSHA guidelines.
SAFETY & SANITATION :
a) Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the social services department.
b) Monitor social services personnel to assure that they are following established safety regulations
in the use of equipment and supplies.
c) Ensure that social service work areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
d) Ensure that all social services personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures
including appropriate dress codes.
e) Ensure that social services personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster
preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.
f) Ensure that social services personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation
of residents precautions become necessary.
g) Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.
h) Report any exposure to blood/body fluids.
EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY FUNCTIONS :
a) Recommend to the Asst. Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.
b) Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as may be required.
c) Make periodic rounds to check equipment and to assure that necessary equipment is available and
working properly.
d) Ensure that all personnel operate social service equipment in a safe manner.
e) Develop and implement procedures that ensure social service supplies are used in an efficient
manner to avoid waste.
CARE PLAN & ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS (WITHIN OWN CASE LOAD):
a) Develop preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the social service needs of each resident.
b) Develop a written plan of social work care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that
identifies the problems/needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem/need
identified.
c) Insofar as practical, encourage the resident to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care.
d) Review nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed.
e) Review and revise care plans and assessments as necessary, but at least quarterly.
f) Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved
in developing a comprehensive plan of care.
BUDGET & PLANNING FUNCTIONS :
a) Forecast needs of the department.
b) Assist in preparing and planning the social services department's budget for food, equipment,
supplies, and labor and submit to the Asst. Administrator for review, recommendations, and approval.
c) Maintain current written records of department expenditures and assure that adequate financial
records and cost reports are submitted to the Administrator upon request or as necessary.
d) Make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and/or as dictated by an analysis of the
monthly operating statement.
MISCELLANEOUS :
a) Make weekly inspections of all social service functions to assure that quality control measures are continually maintained.
b) Be prepared to handle emergencies as they come up (i.e., rescheduling work assignments and work schedules, etc.).
c) Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and imple
