Director of Social Services

Elderwood Administrative Services; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off & Holidays

401(k) with Employer Match

Continuing Education Opportunities

Employee Referral Program

Career Growth Opportunities

Interdisciplinary Team Environment

Job summary

Parkway Health & Rehabilitation Center in Boston, MA seeks a Director of Social Services to lead the Social Services department and advocate for residents and families. You will collaborate with nursing, rehabilitation, medical, dietary, and other teams to ensure holistic, person-centered care.

The role focuses on guiding care transitions, discharging planning, and upholding residents’ rights with compassion and professionalism in a busy skilled nursing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field required.
• Casework experience required.
• Experience with geriatric populations or long-term care preferred.
• Ability to meet the public easily, handle problems diplomatically, and cooperate with other staff members.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Social Services staff, ensuring resident needs are addressed, documentation is completed, and policies are followed.
• Serve as resident advocate, supporting rights and emotional well-being of residents and families.
• Develop meaningful relationships with residents and families from admission through stay.
• Complete social histories and psychosocial assessments for new residents and identify needs.
• Participate in development and implementation of interdisciplinary care plans and care transitions.

Skills

Compassion for seniors

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Case management

Organizational skills

HIPAA compliance

Education

Baccalaureate Degree in social work or related field

Job description

Salary

$ 62,205 / yr - $ 82,485 / yr

Overview

Director of Social Services

Make a Difference in Every Resident's Journey.

At Parkway Health & Rehabilitation Center, our Director of Social Services plays a vital role in helping residents and their families navigate their healthcare journey with dignity, compassion, and support.

Parkway Health & Rehabilitation Center is a 141-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation community in Boston, Massachusetts, providing Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. Our specialized programs support residents recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, as well as those who require ongoing skilled nursing care. Our interdisciplinary team works together to deliver comprehensive care that supports each resident's individual needs, promotes independence, and enhances quality of life.As Director of Social Services, you'll serve as both a leader and advocate—overseeing the Social Services department while working closely with residents, families, and our interdisciplinary care team. From helping a new resident adjust to life in a skilled nursing setting to supporting successful transitions back into the community, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference throughout every stage of care.

If you're a compassionate social services professional who believes exceptional care begins with understanding the whole person, we'd love to welcome you to our team.

Why Join Parkway Health & Rehabilitation Center?

At Parkway Health & Rehabilitation Center, we recognize that every resident brings a unique story, set of experiences, relationships, and goals to their care.

Our Social Services team helps ensure those individual needs remain at the center of the care experience. You'll work alongside nursing, rehabilitation, medical, dietary, and other interdisciplinary professionals to help residents navigate transitions, address concerns, maintain important connections, and access the resources they need.

Whether you're supporting someone through a short-term rehabilitation stay or helping a long-term care resident establish a sense of home and community, your work will have a direct and lasting impact.

Benefits Include:

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Continuing Education Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Career Growth Opportunities
• Supportive Interdisciplinary Team Environment

Join a Team That Puts CARE Back Into Healthcare

At Parkway Health & Rehabilitation Center, every member of our team contributes to creating a culture built on Performance, Integrity, Transparency, Respect, and Communication.

As Director of Social Services, you'll help bring those values to life by ensuring residents are heard, their rights are respected, and their psychosocial and emotional needs are never overlooked.

If you're ready to lead with compassion, advocate for residents, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families, we encourage you to apply today.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

As Director of Social Services, you'll lead the Social Services department while advocating for the emotional, psychological, social, and overall well-being of our residents.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead and supervise Social Services staff, ensuring resident needs are addressed, required documentation is completed accurately, and facility policies and procedures are followed.
• Serve as a resident advocate, helping residents understand and exercise their rights and supporting their psychological and emotional well-being.
• Develop meaningful relationships with residents and their families from admission throughout their stay.
• Complete social histories and psychosocial assessments for newly admitted residents and identify their social, emotional, and psychological needs.
• Participate in the development and implementation of individualized, interdisciplinary care plans.
• Participate in baseline, initial, routine, and discharge care plan meetings.
• Facilitate family and interdisciplinary meetings as needed to address resident needs, concerns, and goals.
• Provide or coordinate therapeutic support to help residents adjust to long-term care and cope with transitions, loss, grief, and stressful life events.
• Serve as the facility's Resident and Family Grievance Officer, investigating concerns and working with the interdisciplinary team to achieve timely resolutions.
• Coordinate facility cooperation with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
• Assist residents and families with advance directives, care planning, and other important decisions related to their care.
• Coordinate referrals and services from outside providers and community resources, including hospice, behavioral health professionals, specialists, translation services, and other support services.
• Support residents in obtaining resources and services such as Social Security, Medicaid, SSI, pensions, legal assistance, and other community benefits.
• Participate in discharge planning and care transitions, including coordinating appropriate referrals and home care services.
• Complete required PASARR screenings and review Level II assessments as applicable.
• Conduct resident interviews and assessments and ensure complaints, concerns, and identified needs are appropriately addressed.
• Facilitate discussions and interventions related to behavioral and psychosocial needs, including individualized non-pharmacological approaches to care.
• Participate in assessments related to cognitive status, mood, and behavior and complete applicable portions of the MDS assessment.
• Assist residents with room change requests and ensure appropriate documentation and notifications are completed.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and ensure resident information is protected in accordance with HIPAA and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Conduct quality assurance audits and participate in ethics committee activities as assigned.
• Assist with admissions activities when needed, including resident and family tours, admission paperwork, pre-admission coordination, room readiness, and new resident orientation.
• Collaborate with the Business Office and other departments to support a smooth and welcoming admission experience.
• Promote excellent customer service and serve as a champion for resident and family satisfaction.
• Participate in census, admission, and interdisciplinary meetings as required.
• Develop and maintain Social Services policies and procedures in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Support new employee orientation regarding resident rights, abuse prevention, neglect, exploitation, and the delivery of quality services.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, HIPAA, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Administrator or management team.

Skills That Help You Succeed

• • Genuine compassion and concern for older adults and individuals receiving long-term care.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent assessment, problem-solving, and case management abilities.
  • Ability to advocate effectively for residents while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
  • Strong understanding of social systems and community resources.
  • Ability to develop meaningful relationships with residents, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage sensitive situations with empathy, professionalism, and sound judgment.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Working knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations governing long‑term care and resident rights.
  • Proficiency with computers and electronic documentation systems.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate Degree in social work or a related field from an accredited institution.

• Casework experience required.

• Casework with the elderly or work in a supervisory capacity requiring initiative and responsiveness to the needs of others preferred.

• Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record required.

• Ability to meet the public easily, handle problems diplomatically, and cooperate with other staff members necessary.

• Evidence of professional growth, continuing education and community involvement considered.

• This position requires regular interaction with residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors.In order to ensure a safe work environment for residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors of the Company, and to permit unfettered communication between the employee and those residents, coworkers, visitors, and supervisors, this position requires that the employee be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.

EOE Statement

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.