Social Worker

Position Title:

Social Worker

Position Summary:

The social worker will work with residents in the nursing home by identifying their psychosocial, mental and emotional needs along with providing, developing, and/or aiding in the access of services to meet those needs. Services will be provided in accordance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics along with strict adherence to government regulations. The nursing home social worker is responsible for fostering a climate, policies and routines that enable residents to maximize their individuality, independence and dignity. This climate shall provide residents with the highest practical level of physical, mental and psychosocial well-being and quality of life.

Qualifications:

• Licensed as a social worker in KS.
• Prior work with elders in a community or long-term care setting and experience with infection controlled practices is preferred.
• Must have excellent communication and assessment skills.
• Proven social work methods and techniques.
• Must have a working understanding of social systems along with the ability to implement pertinent State and Federal regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review facility policies and procedures as part of the facility’s interdisciplinary team to assure compliance with State and Federal regulations.
• Participate in reviewing and setting policies concerning resident care and quality of life.
• Participate in developing facility social work policies.
• Develop, maintain and utilize a listing of current community resources that are useful to residents and their families/significant others.
• Participate in quality assurance interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Understand and meet all government requirements for social service documentation.
• Document progress in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents.
• Work with the interdisciplinary team and administration to promote and protect resident rights and the psychological wellbeing of each resident. Prevent and address resident abuse as mandated by law and professional licensure.
• Identify community changes and opportunities such as legislation, regulations and programs that affect nursing home residents.
• Work with residents, families, significant others and staff to provide support, information and organization for taking a more proactive role in self-advocacy to improve the quality of life/care for individual residents and those who live and work within the nursing home and the community at large.
• Complete a social history and psychosocial assessment for each resident that identifies social, emotional, and psychological needs.
• Participate in the development of a written, interdisciplinary plan of care for each resident that identifies the psychosocial needs/issues of the resident, the goals to be accomplished for those needs/issues, and the appropriate social worker interventions.
• Ensure or provide therapeutic interventions to assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs.
• Ensure or provide support and education to residents/family members/significant others to assist in their understanding of placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to the appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services.
• Keep records of grievances and report to state as needed.
• Coordinate and lead the resident care plan meetings.
• Coordinate the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for appropriate home care services prior to the resident’s return to the community.
• Educate staff regarding the role of the social worker in the facility and the psychosocial needs of the residents and their families/significant others including the problems of aging and disability.
• Educate staff regarding cultural diversity and each staff member’s importance when caring for residents. Educate staff regarding residents’ rights and how to recognize and prevent abuse, neglect and mistreatment.
• Educate residents and families/significant others regarding their rights and responsibilities, effective problem solving and the extent of community, health and social services that are available to them, including those necessary for effective discharge planning.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

To Apply:

Applicants should email an updated resume and cover letter with salary requirements to recruiting@scls.org.      EOE