Social Services - Social Services Associate

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Social Services Associate

REPORTS TO:  Social Services Director

DEPARTMENT:  Social Services 

The primary responsibility of your job position is to assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing our facility’s social service program following the current federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern long term care and assisted living facilities.   You are entrusted to ensure that the medically related and emotional social needs of the residents are met and maintained on an individual basis.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of the Social Services Department

• Assist with completion of Medicaid applications and gather all required information (i.e. bank statements, insurance cards, income trusts, SSI or SSD award letter, POA)

• Assist/complete long-term care Medicaid long term care and re-determinations forms

• Assist/complete ULTCs for co-pay coverage, continued stay review, SNF to SNF transfer, return to community; assist in finding placement for transfer/discharge (i.e. makes appointments and referrals)

• May assist with applications for community resources 

• Assist residents with transport for errands

• Assist in the scheduling of activity care plans and assessments

• Assists BOM in completing PETI requests for long-term care residents

• Involve the resident/family in planning social service programs when necessary

• Maintain a quality working relationship with the medical professionals and other health related facilities

• Coordinate social service activities with other departments

• Record and maintain regular Social Service progress notes indicating response on treatment plan

• Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary

• Assist with reviewing and developing a plan for social service deficiencies noted during survey inspections

• Interview residents, or family members, as necessary to obtain social history

• Assist in developing and maintaining a community and social services file of agencies and organizations and organizations that provide assistance to residents

• Demonstrate a passion for caring as evidenced by interaction with co-workers, residents, families, and visitors

• Perform all other duties, as requested

TALENT:

Relationship Building

Demonstrate friendliness and enthusiasm

Build relationships with all types of people

High energy and upbeat

Ability to foster teamwork

Client oriented

Executing

Ability to organize and prioritize 

Detail oriented and follow through

Self-starter and independent worker

Strategic Thinking

Solve problems effectively

Creative in coming up with options and solutions for efficiency

Influencing

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Must be knowledgeable of laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to hospital and nursing facility administrative procedures

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must possess, as a minimum, a high school diploma or its equivalent

• Some health care experience preferred

JOB TRAINING: 

• How long it usually takes to completely perform this job when the incumbent has the minimum knowledge, skills, ability, work experience and/or education: up to 3 months

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Moves intermittently during working hours 

• Is subject to frequent interruptions

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

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

• Works beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary

• Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.)

• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc. throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants

• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses

• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals

• Drives frequently in company or personal automobile

• Uses computer and cellular telephone frequently

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

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

• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a mental and physical examination.

• 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 be able to push, pull, move, and /or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

OTHER:

• Must maintain a valid, unrestricted Colorado driver’s license

• Proof of COVID vaccination or qualifying exemption required

• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled. No Agencies or Affiliations please!