Director of Social Services

Elderwood•Burlington, VT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Lead with Compassion. Advocate with Purpose. At Elderwood at Burlington , we believe exceptional care goes far beyond medical treatment. It includes emotional support, advocacy, dignity, and meaningful human connection. As the Director of Social Services, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring residents and their families are supported throughout every stage of their journey—from admission through discharge and beyond. Your work will directly impact quality of life, helping residents maintain dignity, autonomy, and emotional well-being in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation setting. If you're a compassionate social work professional who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment, we invite you to bring your leadership and heart to our team. Position Overview The Director of Social Services provides leadership and oversight for the facility’s Social Services Department, ensuring residents receive compassionate, person-centered support throughout their stay. This role serves as a resident advocate and key member of the interdisciplinary care team, coordinating services that promote emotional well-being, dignity, safety, and successful care transitions. You will supervise social services staff, guide discharge planning, ensure regulatory compliance, and serve as a trusted resource for residents, families, and community partners. What You'll Do Oversee all Social Services functions including admissions, care coordination, transfers, and discharge planning Serve as discharge planner and ensure completion of required documentation and screening processes Provide direct social work services to assigned residents and families Lead care plan meetings and collaborate with nursing, therapy, and interdisciplinary teams Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Social Services staff Support residents and families through complex emotional and care-related transitions Ensure residents’ rights, dignity, and advocacy needs are upheld at all times Coordinate PASARR Level II reviews and other regulatory requirements Maintain required documentation and ensure departmental compliance with all regulations Collaborate with community partners, ombudsman programs, and external agencies Support staff education on resident rights, abuse reporting, and social services processes Contribute to a culture of respect, compassion, and resident-centered care We're Looking For Someone Who Is... Compassionate, patient, and deeply committed to resident advocacy A strong communicator who builds trust with families and team members Confident leading teams and guiding difficult conversations Organized and able to manage both clinical and regulatory responsibilities Emotionally grounded and steady in complex or sensitive situations Passionate about improving quality of life for older adults At Elderwood, our mission is People Caring for People. In this leadership role, you will be the voice, advocate, and support system for residents and families—helping ensure every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion throughout their stay.

Requirements

Baccalaureate Degree in social work or a related field from an accredited institution.
Casework experience required.
Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record required.
Ability to meet the public easily, handle problems diplomatically, and cooperate with other staff members necessary.
This position requires regular interaction with residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors. In order to ensure a safe work environment for residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors of the Company, and to permit unfettered communication between the employee and those residents, coworkers, visitors, and supervisors, this position requires that the employee be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.

Nice To Haves

Casework with the elderly or work in a supervisory capacity requiring initiative and responsiveness to the needs of others preferred.
Evidence of professional growth, continuing education and community involvement considered.

Responsibilities

Oversee all Social Services functions including admissions, care coordination, transfers, and discharge planning
Serve as discharge planner and ensure completion of required documentation and screening processes
Provide direct social work services to assigned residents and families
Lead care plan meetings and collaborate with nursing, therapy, and interdisciplinary teams
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Social Services staff
Support residents and families through complex emotional and care-related transitions
Ensure residents’ rights, dignity, and advocacy needs are upheld at all times
Coordinate PASARR Level II reviews and other regulatory requirements
Maintain required documentation and ensure departmental compliance with all regulations
Collaborate with community partners, ombudsman programs, and external agencies
Support staff education on resident rights, abuse reporting, and social services processes
Contribute to a culture of respect, compassion, and resident-centered care
Assumes responsibility for admission process for new residents as described in Section B of the Social Services Department Manual.
Serves as the Unit Social Worker for designated residents as described in Section B of the Social Services Department Manual, or delegates this responsibility according to current staffing pattern.
Serves as the Discharge Planner of the facility as described in Section B of the Social Services Manual; completes SCREEN upon discharge of resident.
Coordinates PASARR Level II Annual Review of residents.
Implements and oversees the policies and procedures of the Social Services Department in the areas of admission, social work, transfer and discharge services.
Participates in development of a comprehensive, inter-disciplinary health care and discharge plan for residents; attends Resident Care Planning and Resident/ Family Care Plan Review meetings and informs other disciplines of residents or family members who plan to attend.
Provides support and assistance to the Unit Social Worker in work with residents and families.
Supervises and evaluates the performances of the social services staff.
Works with the Social Work Consultant in matters of social services intervention or consultation.
Ensures all necessary documentation required for the Social Services Department.
Interprets to the professional staff of the facility the purpose and objectives of the Social Services Department.
Explains the Bill of Rights for Residents and Resident Abuse Reporting at General Orientation meetings, as scheduled.
Coordinates facility cooperation with the Ombudsman.