Social Services Assistant Full-Time

PACS • Bakersfield, CA

4d • $19 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

Bakersfield Post Acute is seeking a compassionate, organized, and dependable Social Services Assistant to support residents’ medically related emotional, social, and psychosocial needs. Working under the direction of the Social Services Director or Consultant, the assistant helps residents and families navigate rehabilitation, long-term care, community resources, and discharge planning while promoting resident advocacy, independence, self-care, and well-being.

The position works in administrative and resident-care areas of a skilled nursing facility, with regular interaction with residents, families, employees, healthcare professionals, community agencies, and visitors. The work environment is generally low to moderate in noise. This full-time role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, customer-service, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to communicate compassionately and professionally during sensitive or emotional situations.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle protected information appropriately.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and collaborate effectively with an interdisciplinary team.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard office equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, or a related field.
• Previous healthcare, social services, case-management, or administrative experience.
• Skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or long-term care experience.
• Familiarity with Medicare, Medi-Cal/Medicaid, discharge planning, and community resources.
• Experience with PointClickCare or another electronic health-record system.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, developing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the facility’s social services programs.
• Help identify and address residents’ medically related social, emotional, and psychosocial needs.
• Assist residents in achieving their highest practicable level of independence, self-care, and well-being.
• Provide emotional support to residents and families experiencing anxiety, illness, disability, grief, loss, or difficulty adjusting to a skilled nursing environment.
• Gather and evaluate social, family, and psychosocial information to support resident assessments and care planning.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care-plan meetings, resident conferences, and discharge-planning discussions.
• Complete required forms, reports, progress notes, and other social services documentation accurately and promptly.
• Maintain progress notes reflecting residents’ needs, interventions, adjustment to facility life, and response to services.
• Provide residents and families with information regarding Medicare, Medi-Cal/Medicaid, financial-assistance programs, and community resources.
• Assist with discharge planning, including referrals for home health, transportation, equipment, placement, and community-based services.
• Coordinate with hospitals, physicians, healthcare providers, insurance representatives, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Help schedule outpatient appointments and on-site ancillary services, including optometry, podiatry, dentistry, and behavioral-health services.
• Assist residents with obtaining resources from community health, welfare, and social service agencies.
• Coordinate social services activities with nursing, rehabilitation, activities, dietary, admissions, business office, and other departments.
• Participate in community planning related to residents’ and families’ needs and interests.
• Assist with developing, reviewing, and updating departmental policies and procedures.
• Participate in employee orientation and in-service education related to residents’ social, emotional, and medical needs.
• Develop positive working relationships with residents, families, employees, healthcare professionals, and community partners.
• Protect residents’ privacy and maintain the confidentiality of resident information, including protected health information.
• Promptly report suspected abuse, neglect, misappropriation, fraud, or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Social Services Director, Administrator, or supervisor.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Training and professional-development opportunities
• Reward and bonus opportunities
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative interdisciplinary team
• Meaningful work supporting residents and their families

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED