Social Services Assistant

PACS

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Services Assistant supports the facility’s social service programs in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards and facility policies. The role helps address residents’ medically related emotional and social needs and supports their self-care, independence, and well-being. The assistant works with the Social Service Director or Consultant, facility staff, residents, families, and community agencies. Duties include documenting resident progress, helping coordinate services and discharge planning, sharing information about financial assistance programs, and supporting department administration, policy development, training, and budgeting. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers and employees.
Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems involving varied concrete situations with limited standardization.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions.
Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Ability to use a desktop or laptop computer for prolonged periods.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree.
Prior health-care experience.

Responsibilities

Assist the Social Service Director or Consultant with planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing facility social service programs.
Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other departments to plan social services as directed.
Help develop, administer, coordinate, and periodically review department policies and procedures, and recommend changes.
Help identify residents’ medically related social and emotional needs and implement appropriate policies and procedures.
Participate in community planning related to the facility, residents, and families.
Support residents in achieving the highest practicable level of self-care, independence, and well-being.
Help provide medically related social services to maintain or attain residents’ physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.
Complete required administrative forms and reports and submit them to the Director.
Inform residents and families about Medicare, Medicaid, and other available financial assistance programs.
Consult with staff and community agencies to help address resident needs and problems through social service programs.
Record and maintain regular social service progress notes about residents’ responses to treatment plans and adjustment to institutional life.
Coordinate social service activities with other departments.
Help residents and families address emotional concerns related to illness, admission, disability, helplessness, death, and institutional or specialized care.
Evaluate social and family information and help determine social treatment plans.
Meet regularly with department personnel to identify and correct problem areas and improve services.
Help obtain community social, health, and welfare resources to meet residents’ needs.
Help arrange ordered outpatient appointments and schedule on-site optometry, podiatry, dentistry, and psychiatric services.
Assist with discharge planning and coordination of agency services, equipment, and referrals.
Maintain effective working relationships with facility departments and community health, welfare, and social agencies.
Help develop and participate in orientation and in-service training related to residents’ social, emotional, and medical needs.
Assist with developing the department budget.
Report suspected or known fraud, including false billings, cost reports, and kickbacks.
Protect the confidentiality of resident care information, including protected health information, and report suspected or known unauthorized disclosures.