Social Worker - Spring Creek Rehabilitation & Nursing Care Center

JOB DESCRIPTION – SOCIAL WORKER

Social Worker Duties

Provides services designed to ensure that the medical, social and emotional needs of each resident are provided for. Works together with other staff (psychological, medical, recreation, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dietary) to identify potential difficulties for the resident, provides crisis intervention and is available to residents and families for counseling, or other psychosocial services, indicated.

Assists new residents and their family adjustment phase, as well as in the ongoing transition to institutional living. Arranges admission interviews with residents, and/or family members, to gather psychosocial information necessary to completion of the initial assessment, and:

1.      Reviews, discuss, and sign the Admission Agreement.

2.      Provide information to the resident on an ongoing basis, and/or family member, on residents’ rights and responsibilities, abuse reporting, advance directives, and facility policies and procedures regarding:

a.       Restraint use and reduction.

b.      Grievance reporting and response.

c.       Misappropriation of property.

d.      Therapeutic leave, bed retention, room change, and transfer/discharge.

Initiates and facilities small group meetings of residents, family and staff directed at a fuller understanding of the institutionalized resident, and fuller joint participation in improving the residents’ emotional and physical and psychosocial well-being.

In conjunction with the interdisciplinary team, completes the resident assessment, including the MDS+, and develops an individualized plan of care for each resident.

Notifies resident and/or family member of scheduled care plan reviews and encourages their involvement no less than twice annually, or more often, indicated.

Works with residents and families, where indicated, on planning for discharge back to community, or to another environment, as dictated by the needs of the individual resident. Assists the resident and/or family in accessing community and government services through which the resident will receive assistance upon discharge.

Provides sensory and cognitive stimulation to residents, individually and in groups where appropriate, together with recreation and other staff, so that their experience in the facility will be in keeping with the needs and preferences of each resident, and to ensure the highest standard of quality of life.

Serves as resident advocate, ensures that each resident’s privacy, dignity, Autonomy are protected.

Interprets residents’ needs and behaviors and extends professional intervention to all levels of staff, suggesting positive approaches, such as alternatives to restraint use and psychotropic drugs.

Provides assistance and support to family members. Organizes bereavement counseling for roommates, families and other affected individuals.

Acts as liaison to Federal, State and local agencies providing service to the resident community. Provides information and assistance to residents, and/or family members, on accessing Medicare/Medicaid benefits, or other appropriate legal/financial services.

Facilitates needed communication with other disciplines on behalf of the residents, including medical, nursing, dietary, rehabilitation, recreation and psychiatric services.

May perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Social Service.

Working Conditions

·         Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility.

·         Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.

·         Is subject to frequent interruptions.

·         Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and outside entities, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

·         Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.

·         Communicates with the medical staff, nursing service, and other department supervisors.

·         Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

·         Attends and participates in continuing education programs.

·         Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc. throughout the day.

·         May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. including the AIDS  and Hepatitis B viruses.

·         Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for resident activities.

Specific Requirements

·         Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

·         Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

·         Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise professional and non-professional staff. Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.

·         Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principals and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practice.

·         Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

·         Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day (with or without the aid of mechanical device.

·         Must be able to speak and write the English language fluently.

·         Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

·         Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

·         Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.

·         Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

·         Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times, hostile people within the facility.

·         Must be able to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of fifty (50) pounds.

·         Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.

Qualifications

Must meet the professional requirements of the federal and state health code.

Supervisor:      Director of Social Service