Director of Social Services

Social Service Director Job Summary:

The Social Services Director is responsible for assisting in the planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing of the Social Services Department in accordance with current existing federal, state and local standards, as well as established facility policies and procedures, to ensure that the medically related emotional and social needs of the patient/resident are met/maintained on an individual basis.

Social Service Director Major Duties and Critical Tasks:

1. Participates in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing of the social service programs of the facility.
2. Meets with administration, medical and nursing staff and other related departments in planning social services.
3. Develops and maintains a good working rapport with intra-department personnel, other departments within the facility, and outside community health, welfare and social agencies, to ensure that social service programs are properly maintained to meet the needs of the patients/residents.
4. Assists in developing, administering, and coordinating department policies and procedures.
5. Keeps abreast of current federal and state regulations and makes recommendations for changes in facility policies and procedures to the department director or Administrator.
6. In the absence of the department director, serves on various facility committees as he/she may be appointed by the Administrator.
7. Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures for identifying the medically related social and emotional needs of the patient/resident.
8. Participates in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the patient/resident and family.
9. Participates in patient/resident assessments, development and implementation of social care plans, and discharge planning.
10. Interviews patients/residents/families as necessary in a private setting.
11. Involves the patient/resident/family in planning social service programs, to the extent possible.
12. Assists in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary.
13. Refers patient/resident/families to appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide for the services or needs of the patient/resident.
14. Provides information to patient/resident/families regarding Medicare/Medicaid and other financial assistance programs available to patient/resident.
15. Informs the patient/resident/family of the patient's/resident's personal and property rights.

Social Services Director Qualifications:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in social work or a bachelor's degree in a human services field including, but not limited to: Sociology, Gerontology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Psychology.
• One year of supervised social work experience in a healthcare setting working directly with individuals.