Position: Social Services Designee
Status: Full-Time
Shift: Day Shift
Job Summary
Provide medically related social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, spiritual and psychosocial well-being of each resident.
Performance Requirements
Responsibilities
- Recognize each resident's unique strengths, desires, resources and limitations, and provide services and opportunities that maintain each resident's right to self-determination, personal dignity and value as a human being as reflected in the mission of Wesley Towers.
- Act as a resident advocate.
- Ensure development of individualized daily programming for each resident to help meet needs and enhance the atmosphere of caring.
- Assist in the resident's adjustment to the facility and/or changes in mental, physical or psychosocial condition.
- Provide supportive services when needed.
- Assist with coordination of admissions.
- Assist residents with problems and concerns and coordinate communication with families.
- Monitor significant events in residents' lives.
- Assist residents in becoming aware of, understanding and exercising their Resident Rights.
- Honor Resident Rights policies at all times.
- Develop a Social History on each resident and update annually.
- Maintain social data and records related to residents' social, emotional and psychological needs and status through documentation of pertinent psychosocial information.
- Address CAAs/Triggers and assist the MDS Coordinator in addressing psychosocial approaches.
- Identify resident social, psychological and emotional strengths and needs and develop a plan of care, including goals, for residents on caseload.
- Participate in care planning meetings for each resident and provide appropriate input.
- Write progress notes in a timely manner.
- Help residents maintain the maximum level of independence.
- Alert staff to special needs and proper approaches to individual situations.
- Coordinate discharge planning for residents leaving the facility.
- Develop and provide Social Services programs and individual visitation as designated on the individual's Plan of Care.
- Develop close relationships with residents as appropriate to meet social needs.
- Work with families to provide orientation, discuss concerns, inform them of the plan of care, address personal needs and schedule family conferences as needed.
- Assist with daily delivery of mail and forward mail as appropriate.
- Comply with federal and state regulations for Social Services.
- Work closely with Activities in meeting residents' needs.
- Run errands, arrange outings and shopping trips for residents, monitor personal care needs, and assist with parties and family events as necessary.
- Set a positive tone and enthusiastic working atmosphere for the Social Services department.
- Report regularly and meet as needed with the VP of Health Services regarding Social Services programs and operations.
- Accompany residents to physician appointments as requested.
- Attend resident funerals as able, depending on time and location.
- Work with Resident Council.
- Assist in developing the agenda as requested by council leadership.
- Assist with regular Resident Council meetings and work with priorities, concerns and resolutions as assigned.
- Document services provided or offered according to regulations and facility policies.
- Visit residents who are in the hospital for an extended stay.
- Contact outside sources for speakers and others to address resident and family needs.
- Assist with planning, recruiting, training, scheduling and maintaining the social services/activity volunteer program in conjunction with the overall facility volunteer program.
- Participate in ongoing education and in-service training.
- Provide training as appropriate.
- Provide evening and weekend social services as necessary.
- Be responsible for the safety of residents under his/her supervision.
- Work with community resources to help meet residents' needs.
- Attend appropriate community group meetings as time allows.
- Participate in budgetary plans for the program.
- Participate in the facility-wide continuous service improvement program as necessary.
- Assist with needs of the Social Services department as assigned.
Special Demands
- Must use patience and tact in dealing with residents, families, staff and the community at large.
- Establish and maintain rapport with volunteers.
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, their families and staff.
- Must be flexible with scheduling.
- Must believe in the importance of human relationships and have an understanding of human behavior.
- Must keep all information confidential.
- Must have the ability to design and facilitate individual and group programs to meet residents' social needs.
- Must be able to hear normal and soft tones during resident conversations.
- Must demonstrate sensitivity to the particular needs of the elderly.
Physical Demands
- Position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking and bending.
- Occasional pushing of residents in wheelchairs.
- Must be able to lift 30 pounds unassisted.
- Daily documentation is required.
Qualifications
- Social Services Designee certificate valid in Kansas, or must be willing to attend classes to obtain the certificate.
- Must be a certified nurse aide or be willing to attend classes to obtain a license.
- Must have or be willing to obtain an Activity Director certificate through a 36-hour course.
- Previous experience with the geriatric population or in a social services position preferred.
- On-the-job training provided.
Working Environment
- Well-lighted and ventilated building.
- May be exposed to residents with communicable diseases.
- May be exposed to disagreeable odors.
About The Wesley
The Wesley is a 50-acre vibrant retirement community nestled in a quiet neighborhood in northwest Hutchinson, Kansas.
We offer independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation and skilled home care.
We currently have multiple positions available.
Join our team TODAY!
Apply Now
Apply at TheWesleyKS.com.