Director of Social Services

Elderwood•Boston, MA

5h•Onsite

About The Position

Parkway Health & Rehabilitation Center is seeking a Director of Social Services to lead its Social Services department at a 141-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation community in Boston, Massachusetts. The facility provides short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. The Director serves as a resident advocate and works with residents, families, and the interdisciplinary care team to support residents’ emotional, psychological, social, and overall well-being throughout their stay and during transitions of care. The role includes supervising staff, conducting assessments, participating in care planning, resolving grievances, coordinating community resources and referrals, and supporting admissions and discharge planning. The Director also helps ensure residents’ rights, confidentiality, and regulatory requirements are upheld, and contributes to quality assurance, staff orientation, and department policies and procedures. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, casework experience, a valid driver’s license, and a clean driving record. Casework with older adults or supervisory experience is preferred. The employee must be able to communicate in English at an intermediate or more advanced level.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in social work or a related field from an accredited institution.
Casework experience.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Ability to communicate in English at an intermediate or more advanced level, including reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.
Ability to meet the public easily, handle problems diplomatically, and cooperate with other staff members.
Compassion and concern for older adults and individuals receiving long-term care.
Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, assessment, problem-solving, case management, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to advocate effectively while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality; manage sensitive situations with empathy and sound judgment; and work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Strong understanding of social systems and community resources, and working knowledge of state and federal long-term-care regulations and resident rights.
Proficiency with computers and electronic documentation systems.

Nice To Haves

Casework with older adults or work in a supervisory capacity requiring initiative and responsiveness to others’ needs.
Evidence of professional growth, continuing education, and community involvement.

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise Social Services staff, ensuring resident needs are addressed, documentation is accurate, and facility policies and procedures are followed.
Advocate for residents, support their rights and psychological and emotional well-being, and build relationships with residents and families throughout their stay.
Complete social histories and psychosocial assessments for newly admitted residents and identify social, emotional, and psychological needs.
Participate in developing and implementing individualized interdisciplinary care plans and attend baseline, initial, routine, and discharge care plan meetings.
Facilitate family and interdisciplinary meetings to address resident needs, concerns, and goals.
Provide or coordinate therapeutic support for adjustment to long-term care and coping with transitions, loss, grief, and stressful life events.
Serve as the Resident and Family Grievance Officer, investigate concerns, and work with the interdisciplinary team toward timely resolutions.
Coordinate facility cooperation with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
Assist residents and families with advance directives, care planning, and other care decisions.
Coordinate referrals and services from outside providers and community resources, including hospice, behavioral health professionals, specialists, translation services, and other support services.
Help residents obtain Social Security, Medicaid, SSI, pensions, legal assistance, and other community benefits.
Participate in discharge planning and care transitions, coordinating referrals and home care services as appropriate.
Complete required PASARR screenings and review Level II assessments as applicable.
Conduct resident interviews and assessments and ensure complaints, concerns, and identified needs are addressed.
Facilitate discussions and interventions related to behavioral and psychosocial needs, including individualized non-pharmacological approaches to care.
Participate in assessments of cognitive status, mood, and behavior and complete applicable portions of the MDS assessment.
Assist with room change requests and ensure documentation and notifications are completed.
Protect resident information and maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and applicable regulations.
Conduct quality assurance audits and participate in ethics committee activities as assigned.
Assist with admissions activities, including tours, paperwork, pre-admission coordination, room readiness, and new resident orientation.
Collaborate with the Business Office and other departments to support admissions.
Promote customer service and resident and family satisfaction; participate in census, admission, and interdisciplinary meetings as required.
Develop and maintain Social Services policies and procedures with organizational leadership.
Support new employee orientation on resident rights, abuse prevention, neglect, exploitation, and quality services.
Maintain compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, HIPAA, and applicable state and federal laws.
Perform other duties assigned by the Administrator or management team.