Social Services Worker - Full Time

Thornapple Manor•Hastings, MI

1d•$24 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Thornapple Manor is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Social Services Worker to support residents and their families in a long-term care setting. The role provides guidance, resources, and advocacy, assesses residents’ social, emotional, and financial needs, develops individualized care plans, and connects residents with appropriate community resources. The worker collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to support comprehensive, resident-centered care and positive outcomes. The position assists the Social Services Director with facility social services programs, resident rights, care planning, assessments, discharge planning, referrals, admissions, grievance resolution, documentation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. It also provides emotional support to residents and families and helps residents adjust to the facility environment. The role is based at Thornapple Manor’s campus in Hastings, Michigan. Work takes place in office areas and throughout the campus, with frequent interruptions and interaction with residents, families, staff, visitors, government agencies, and service providers. The position may involve work beyond normal hours, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-backs when necessary. Physical requirements include moving intermittently during the workday, lifting, pushing, pulling, and moving at least 50 pounds, and assisting with resident evacuations. The position may involve exposure to infectious waste and diseases, hazardous chemicals, and other workplace hazards.

Requirements

At least a two-year associate’s degree.
At least one year of proven experience in a social work capacity in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or other related medical or mental health facility.
Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the public.
Leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with a team.
Positive attitude that cultivates the health and well-being of others; openness to collaboration; accountability; and respectful communication and conduct.
Patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, enthusiasm, and willingness to work with residents at their current level of functioning.
Ability to seek out new methods and principles and incorporate them into existing activity services.
Ability to relay information concerning a resident’s condition.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday and cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
Ability to see and hear, or use prosthetics that enable these senses to function adequately for the job.
Ability to function independently and demonstrate flexibility, personal integrity, and effectiveness when working with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
Good general health and emotional stability.
Ability to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and sometimes hostile people.
Ability to lift, push, pull, and move at least 50 pounds and assist with resident evacuation during emergencies.
Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others in the workplace.

Responsibilities

Assist the Social Services Director in planning, developing, implementing, evaluating, and directing facility social services programs.
Encourage residents and responsible parties to participate in developing and reviewing care plans and attend care plan meetings as appropriate.
Assist with the development and annual review of facility policies and procedures supporting resident care and regulatory compliance.
Advocate for residents and support the protection of resident rights.
Report allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Social Services Director and/or Administrator, and assist with assigned reporting and investigations.
Help residents experiencing mental illness, grief, loss, or other psychosocial challenges access appropriate services, treatment, and community resources.
Interview residents and families to obtain social histories and identify psychosocial needs.
Help residents and families adjust to the facility environment and provide ongoing emotional support as needed.
Organize and assist with discharge planning, social service care plans, and resident assessments.
Coordinate referrals to community agencies, social service organizations, and healthcare resources.
Maintain positive working relationships with healthcare professionals, hospitals, community organizations, and other service providers.
Participate in care conferences, interdisciplinary meetings, facility surveys, and quality assurance activities.
Assist with grievance resolution and communicate resident concerns to appropriate staff.
Monitor residents’ emotional well-being and report significant concerns or changes to the interdisciplinary team.
Complete and maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation in accordance with facility policies and HIPAA regulations.
Assist with admissions processes and provide facility tours as requested.
Participate in community planning activities related to residents’, families’, and the facility’s interests and needs.
Assist with developing and reviewing resident care plans and psychosocial assessments upon admission.
Review documentation and report concerns to the Director of Social Services.
Review and revise care plans and assessments as necessary, at least quarterly.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to support resident-centered care.
Attend continuing education programs.
Work beyond normal hours, on weekends or holidays, and respond to call-backs during emergency conditions when necessary.