Social Services Specialist

Long Beach Healthcare Center•Long Beach, CA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Social Services, the Social Services Specialist assists residents and families with adjusting to placement, illness, and the plan of care. The role supports residents in attaining the highest practicable level of functioning in accordance with current federal and state regulations and company policies and procedures. The specialist assists with psychosocial histories, assessments, care planning, resident rights, appointments, community resources, regulatory and reimbursement matters, documentation, and discharge planning. The position requires a commitment to high-quality, person-centered care delivered with dignity, respect, compassion, and integrity.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience.
Social Worker Designee Certificate.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered care with dignity, respect, compassion, and integrity.
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 and 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.
Embrace the company values of care and compassion, community, honesty and integrity, teamwork, innovation, and safety.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with a geriatric population or in a long-term care setting is strongly preferred.
Associate degree or bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with interviewing residents and families and gathering information for psychosocial histories, assessments, and care plans upon admission, quarterly, and following changes in condition.
Help residents and families transition to and adjust to placement in the facility.
Assist in determining residents’ legal status upon admission; provide information about advance directives and obtain copies; and help ensure treatment wishes are implemented in accordance with company policy.
Inform residents and families about residents’ personal and property rights.
Provide the supervisor with input regarding residents’ and families’ social, psychological, and emotional needs.
Ensure residents receive required visual, audio, mental health, and dental evaluations, and follow up as appropriate.
Arrange residents’ appointments, including transportation.
Help residents and families locate and use financial, legal, mental health, and other community resources.
Participate in resident and family council meetings when requested.
Develop working knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations and reimbursement programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial coverage; support applications and eligibility information requests.
Support the facility’s resident theft and loss prevention program.
Work with the Ombudsperson to resolve resident-rights questions or concerns.
Perform documentation duties in accordance with company policies, procedures, and government regulations; ensure records accurately and clearly describe residents’ conditions, care provided, and responses to care.
Assist with discharge planning, including follow-up services, transfers, post-discharge plans of care, and discharge orientation for residents and families.