Job Description
Job Description ** Base rate is negotiable depending on experience. Position may also be considered for a job share within another department if full-time hours are needed.
Rest Haven – York, a privately owned skilled nursing -rehab – long term care facility, has an opening in the Social Services Department for a kind, compassionate and caring individual. This position works primarily with long term care residents. Visits with the residents are at least quarterly coordinated with the care plan schedule, completing MDS, writing progress notes, assisting with Care Plan process of determining needs / goals and participating with interdisciplinary team and/or resident/family member. Experience in working with older adults with dementia and understanding their behaviors and needs is helpful as well as any resident with changing health care needs requiring the need to remain in a facility. (Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science or related field is required for this position). Availability throughout the week with the ability to work at least 20 hours per week is preferable.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Assists the Social Service Director in developing the social service program to meet needs of residents in the facility, and within established government and Rest Haven-York quality standards.
2. Interviews Residents admitted to facility and gathers information for social history.
Characteristics to look for in the initial admission interview include:
- Residents adjustment to admission, illness/injury.
- Family relationships.
- Previous patterns of socialization, interest, and skill.
- Residents' needs, desires, goals, fears. Are they realistic?
- Resident capabilities.
- Awareness of reality.
- Speed of perception.
- How resident relates to their feelings.
- Residents' self image.
- Residents use of defense mechanisms.
- Residents' strengths and weaknesses.
3. Addresses and performs follow-ups on concerns of or special needs of Residents.
4. Visits with Residents quarterly, as needs arise, and when referred, by others, to help them with psychosocial concerns.
5. Determines types of assistance required to meet Residents' needs. Makes arrangements for this assistance when possible. Involves family/friends in arrangements whenever possible and advisable.
6. Determines discharge plan and updates quarterly or as needed. Assists in discharge planning: informing Resident and family of available resources and arranging appropriate resources prior to discharge.
7. Actively participates in multi-disciplinary care plan meetings.
8. Documents, in compliance with established government regulations, and Rest Haven-York Quality Standards: social service visits and significant information on medical chart, social service needs and goals/approaches on Resident Care Plan, and social service portion of Minimum Data Set. Evaluates residents’ mood state for signs/symptoms of depression, administers Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale and helps to determine behavioral approaches and Care Plans.
9. Actively participates in community planning related to the interests of the facility.
10. Remains informed of current legislation, trends, resources, and facilities related to the social service field, long-term care, and rehabilitation business.
11. Assists with Family Council and Resident Council as directed by Supervisor. Work closely with residents, families and staff with the goal that residents’ needs are met.
12. Actively participates in quality improvement/assurance and in-service programs.
13. Assists in coordinating room changes and follow-up for Resident satisfaction.
14. Acts as an advocate for the Resident.
15. Attends seminars and meetings approved by Social Service Director or Administration.
16. Provides material items for Residents when family is not available.
17. Assists with Voter Registration and Absentee Ballots for Residents.
18. Meets with families, when needed, to address concerns.
19. Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.
20. Recognize your role as part of the QAPI efforts of your organization.
21. Attend trainings to build understanding and capacity to undertake QAPI work.
22. Carry out QAPI roles and responsibilities as assigned.
23. Follow established policies and procedures in support of QAPI efforts.
24. Look for and share with leadership ideas for improvement in the organization.
25. Communication to leadership upon witnessing a positive outcome of a QAPI project
or detecting barriers preventing project success.
26. Support QAPI efforts both verbally and non-verbally (i.e., via actions and attitude), including
adjusting performance and practice in accordance with QAPI initiatives and findings.
27. Recognize your role for Trauma Informed Care: Promotes a culture of safety, empowerment
and healing; recognizes that everyone who interacts at Rest Haven may have past traumatic
experience and protects trauma survivors from being re-traumatized.
28. Recognize your role for Compliance and Ethics: Participates in annual compliance and
ethics training. Follows code of conduct reporting any compliance and ethics concerns.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Well-lighted and ventilated office.
2. Sits, stands, and walks intermittently during the workday.
3. Interacts with Residents, visitors, family, staff, organizations, and the general public in a variety of situations and conditions.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor degree in Social Service, Behavioral Science or related field in compliance with
established government regulations for this position.
2. Experience in case work/social service in a long- term care setting is preferred.
3. Demonstrated ability to work independently and follow through with responsibilities.
4. Excellent communication and organization skills.
5. Must possess characteristics of genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and empathy.
6. Ability to exercise independent judgement where procedures can not be standardized.
7. Demonstrated professionalism and ability to comply with confidential information.
8. Criminal history background clearance - Act 169 and Act 13.