DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Samaritan Health Services•Watertown, NY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Service director will provide Directorship for Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village. It is the responsibility of Social Services to see that applicants to Samaritan conform to State and Federal admission criteria; that sufficient information is obtained to facilitate quality of care upon admission and during their stay. Social Services also provides support and encouragement to the resident/family during the pre-admission waiting period and ensures that the admission process goes smoothly for the resident, family and facility. The Director of Social Services will strive to provide a social service program to meet the psychosocial needs of the individual resident which will provide services, based upon a comprehensive assessment, which will assure the maximum attainable quality of life for the resident, the resident emotional and physical well-being, self-determination, self-respect and dignity.

Requirements

Must be a qualified social worker who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work or is a certified social worker with pertinent experience in a health care setting.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and supervision to the Social Services staff in carrying out the functions required by State and Federal Codes.
Work in conjunction with the Admissions Coordinator in conducting an initial admissions assessment and interview with residents/applicants and families in order to evaluate the appropriateness of placement and to identify the need for specialized services.
Provide consultation and in-service to the other facility staff as needed.
Provide admissions and discharge services in accordance with State and Federal requirements.
Provide direct counseling, advocacy and consultation to individual residents with personal/social difficulties related to institutionalization.
Aid in interpreting residents needs and behaviors and extending professional intervention to all levels of staff suggesting positive approaches; such as alternatives to the use of restraints and psychotropic drugs.
Provide ongoing assistance and support to resident's family members.
Provide bereavement counseling for roommates, families and other affected individuals.
Interpret the resident's rights to residents family and staff.
Coordinate and monitor needed available services for individual residents to assure optimum level of well-being and independence based on individual capabilities.
Initiate and facilitate small group meetings of residents, family and staff directed at a fuller understanding of the institutionalized resident and fuller joint participation in improving the resident's emotional and physical well-being.
Facilitate the Resident Council in order for residents to have a voice in the management of their affairs and of the facility.
Coordinate matters such as bed retention, room change, transfer and discharge with involvement of the resident, family and staff as appropriate.
Collaborate with other departments in the planning, development, implementation and assessment of policies and programs which reflect primary concern for the individual and his/her well-being, drawing upon new social work and gerontological theories and concepts as appropriate.
Evaluate ongoing programs and help develop new program ideas for Samaritan and its Social Services Department.
Participate in policy formulation and review for Samaritan Nursing Home and its Social Services Department.
Coordinate and facilitate the referral of residents for needed and requested services and outside resources not available within the facility.
Provide interface between Samaritan and other community health and welfare services for the purpose of integrating the program into the fabric of community health and welfare services.
Provide educational training, supervision and assessment for social work students when feasible and offering public education through a variety of public forums.
Perform essential duties of the Social Services staff in their absence.