Social Worker Designee

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Position Description:

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for planning and administering social service programs within the center, in conjunction with the Social Service Consultant and/or Director of Social Services. He/she assists Social Service Consultant in developing nursing home policies regarding participation in community planning for health and welfare services. The Social Work Designee assists with the discharge planning and coordination of community resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Assists with implementing a comprehensive social services program which provides for counseling and other support services for customers and families in the center;

2. Identifies medical-related social needs of customers, provides appropriate services to meet the individual, as well as collective needs of customers, and maintains records relating to the customers? social work needs and care;

3. Consults with the Social Services Director, Social Service Consultant and other staff regarding interdisciplinary issues, as well as maintenance of appropriate records;

4. Works directly with customers and families experiencing personal and environmental difficulties or concerns related to the customer?s physical or emotional condition;

5. Promotes the preservation of the customer?s physical and mental health and to prevent the occurrence or progression of personal and social problems;

6. Maintains a written record of the frequency and nature of the social service consultation and services provided or obtained;

7. Evaluates each customer?s social needs then formulates the plan for providing care and records the plan in the customer?s medical record. Periodically re-evaluates in conjunction with the customer?s total plan of care;

8. Plans and implements family meetings (upon admission and as needed thereafter) to provide a forum for ongoing discussions between customer/family and treatment team;

9. Performs an initial evaluation/assessment of each customer?s biopsychosocial needs to be placed in the medical record. Written documentation at least quarterly is required for each customer. Active cases require ongoing written documentation. For required written documentation, Genesis HealthCare Social Services Manual, State and Federal Guidelines are to be followed. Assessment and documentation is to be reviewed by the Social Services Director and/or Consultant;

10. Develops social service component of the customer?s plan of care, identifying specific problems, goals and approaches. Participates and coordinates per center policy, interdisciplinary care planning conference at time of admission and at prescribed intervals thereafter in order to help develop and revise the overall plan of care for customers. Ensure and documents that customers/families have input into the care planning process;

11. Collects pertinent social data upon admission of each customer and places it in the medical record, including information about the personal and family problems related to the customer?s illness and care, support network, actions taken to meet the customer?s individual needs and eventual discharge to an appropriate level of care based on functional capacity. Pertinent social data shall be made available to the attending physician and other appropriate staff members;

12. Acts as a liaison between customers, families, outside agencies, and the center Administrator to ensure that the customer?s rights are maintained;

13. Functions in a manner that adheres to all policies/procedures of the center, as a representative of the HealthCare Center administration;

14. Documents and prepares any reports requested by the administration; also councils and provides assistance when change in financial status occurs for customers in the center;

15. Coordinates discharge planning and assists with the creation of an organized discharge plan on all customers;

16. Concerns his/herself with the safety of all center customers in order to minimize the potential for fire and accidents. Also, ensures that the center adheres to legal, safety, health, fire and sanitation codes by being familiar with his/her role in carrying out the center?s fire, safety and disaster plans and by being familiar with current MSDS;

17. Puts Customer Service First: Ensures that customers and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere which recognizes the individuals? needs and rights;

18. Performs other duties as requested.


Qualifications:

SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years experience in Long Term Care or human services. These guidelines may vary according to State regulations.

2. Any certification/licensure required by state regulations.