Director of Social Services

Wheatridge Manor Care Center•Wheat Ridge, CO

About The Position

The Director of Social Services directs the overall operation of the Social Services Department in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, regulations, and company policies and procedures. The role helps residents and families adjust to placement, illness, and the plan of care, with the goal of attaining each resident’s highest practicable level of functioning. The Director assesses residents’ social service needs, develops and maintains care plans with the facility interdisciplinary team, supports transitions into the facility, and provides individual, family, and group services. The role also determines residents’ legal status and helps ensure that advance directives and treatment wishes are documented and implemented according to company policies.

Requirements

2–3 years of related experience.
Experience working in a skilled nursing facility.
For facilities with 120 beds or more, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in social work or a related field is required.
For facilities with fewer than 120 beds, a bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered care with dignity, respect, compassion, and integrity, and to the company’s stated values.
Ability to represent the company ethically and professionally and maintain accountability.
Ability to interact tactfully, effectively, and professionally with employees, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies or personnel, and the general public.
Ability to work respectfully with people who are physically or mentally ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, or at times hostile, regardless of cognitive or functional level.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience preferred.
A bachelor’s degree is preferred in facilities with fewer than 120 beds.

Responsibilities

Respect residents’ personal and property rights, including knocking before entering their rooms.
Comply with company and departmental policies and procedures.
Assess residents upon admission, quarterly, and when their condition changes; ensure timely psychosocial histories and assessments identify needs for the interdisciplinary team and care-planning process.
Develop and maintain plans of care with the facility interdisciplinary team.
Assist residents and families with transition and adjustment to facility placement.
Determine residents’ legal status upon admission; provide information about and obtain copies of advance directives; and ensure treatment wishes, including DNR and withholding-treatment wishes, are implemented according to company policies.
Provide individual, family, and group services addressing psychosocial functioning, social, emotional, and behavioral concerns, interpersonal relationships, placement, separation, loss, and death and dying.