Job Description

The Director of Social Services is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating the Social Services Department to meet the psychosocial, emotional, and discharge planning needs of residents in accordance with federal and Ohio regulations, facility policies, and professional standards. The Director of Social Services advocates for residents' rights, promotes quality of life, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to provide resident-centered care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Resident Assessment and Care Planning

• Complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments for all residents according to regulatory requirements.
• Identify residents' emotional, social, behavioral, financial, and environmental needs.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized care plans with the interdisciplinary team.
• Participate in care conferences and communicate resident goals and progress with residents and families.
• Monitor residents for changes in psychosocial status and intervene appropriately.

Resident and Family Support

• Provide counseling, emotional support, crisis intervention, and adjustment counseling to residents and families.
• Assist residents and families with advance directives, healthcare decision-making, and end-of-life planning.
• Educate residents and families regarding available community resources and services.
• Promote resident dignity, independence, and quality of life.

Discharge Planning

• Coordinate safe and timely discharge planning from admission through discharge.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, rehabilitation services, families, and community agencies to ensure continuity of care.
• Arrange post-discharge services including home health, hospice, durable medical equipment, transportation, and community resources.
• Maintain documentation supporting discharge planning activities.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Ohio Department of Health regulations, and facility policies.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation within the medical record.
• Participate in survey preparation and respond appropriately during regulatory surveys.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA requirements.

Department Leadership

• Direct daily operations of the Social Services Department.
• Supervise social services staff, interns, and volunteers, if applicable.
• Develop departmental goals, policies, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities.
• Monitor departmental performance indicators and recommend improvements.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with nursing, rehabilitation, dietary, activities, therapy, physicians, admissions, and administration.
• Participate in utilization review, risk management, infection prevention initiatives, and other committees as assigned.
• Support facility initiatives that improve resident outcomes and satisfaction.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) preffered.
• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) preferred.

Licensure/Certification

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of Ohio preferred.
• Must maintain current licensure throughout employment.

Experience

• Minimum of two years of social work experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
• Experience in skilled nursing or long-term care strongly preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of CMS regulations governing skilled nursing facilities.
• Knowledge of Ohio long-term care regulations.
• Strong assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and discharge planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with residents, families, physicians, and staff.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management abilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to respond quickly to resident needs throughout the facility.
• Visual and hearing abilities sufficient to communicate effectively with residents, families, and staff.

Performance Expectations

The Director of Social Services is expected to:

• Maintain regulatory compliance and survey readiness.
• Complete assessments, care plans, and documentation within required timeframes.
• Promote positive resident and family satisfaction.
• Demonstrate leadership, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
• Foster teamwork and effective communication throughout the facility.
• Support the facility's mission of providing compassionate, resident-centered care.