Job Description

SUMMARY

Social worker an advocate to residents and family; Assists resident and their families with psycho social needs; provides support and aides in adjustment of the resident and families coping with progressive disease processes and environmental changes; assists residents and their families navigate and cope with the options through the end of life process; assists resident and families identify individual goals and solutions to reach maximum functioning and comfort for the highest quality of life.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

• Interviews and assesses new admissions for psychosocial needs, coping mechanisms, family dynamics, strengths and risk factors to promote individualized plans of care to meet their needs in a skilled setting.
• Referrals for community agencies when applicable during the application process and/or discharge planning
• Participates in creating the plan of care and follow through, assessing for changes in resident status informing the interdisciplinary team and family of changes as they occur
• Provides direct casework services to resident and families and/or significant others
• Documents on charts, resident/patient care forms, etc…, on a timely and concise basis
• Assists with re-admission process from acute care and other facilities
• Participates in and provides in-service education to staff
• Develops, implements and evaluates programs specific to meeting the psychosocial needs of the resident and the families
• Advocates on behalf of the Residents and Families
• Monitors on an ongoing basis, the quality of service provided by each department
• Provides emotional support and education of the environment, disease process, and choices to resident and families
• Works well in close collaboration with physicians and other health care personnel in resident evaluation and treatment to further their understanding of significant social and emotional factors underlying resident’s health and ability to cope and respond to the situation
• Relates well and build relationships with residents, families and staff.
• Exhibits strong writing skills
• Demonstrates above average communication skills, including but not limited to interviewing skills
• Excellent listening skills
• Exhibits critical thinking skills
• Knowledgeable of the aging and related disease processes that impact functioning, cognition, mental status, and relationships, strategies to cope with loss and the grieving process.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and privacy

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE)

• Bachelor’s degree (BA) or BSW from a four-year college or university; or two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.