Director of Social Services

Hc; Irvington (NJ); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Life and disability insurance

Employee-assistance program

Professional-development opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Hc is seeking a Director of Social Services for a Skilled Nursing Facility in New Jersey. You will lead the Social Services Department, coordinate discharge planning, and support residents’ psychosocial well-being, rights, and transitions of care.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s in social work and relevant licensure, with prior leadership in long-term care, strong communication, and regulatory knowledge to ensure CMS compliance and high-quality resident care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field.
• Social work license or certification as required by state law.
• Experience in a skilled nursing facility or long-term care setting.
• Knowledge of resident rights, care planning, discharge planning, and regulations.
• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with residents, families, staff, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the facility’s Social Services Department.
• Assess residents’ psychosocial, emotional, and discharge-planning needs.
• Participate in resident assessments, care plans, and team meetings.
• Coordinate discharge plans and link to community services.
• Provide residents and families with counseling, advocacy, and support.
• Assist with advance directives, rights, and financial resources.
• Support admissions and help residents adjust to long-term care.
• Address concerns promptly and document grievances per policy.
• Maintain confidential documentation in residents’ records.
• Ensure CMS and state regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with nursing, rehab, dietary, and admin teams.
• Develop relationships with hospitals and referral partners.

Skills

Communication

Documentation

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Director of Social Services – Skilled Nursing Facility

Job Type: Full-time

About Us

We are a Skilled Nursing Facility committed to providing compassionate, resident-centered care. We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Director of Social Services to lead our Social Services Department and support the psychosocial well-being, dignity, and quality of life of our residents.

Position Summary

The Director of Social Services plans, develops, organizes, and directs the facility’s social services program. This position works closely with residents, families, interdisciplinary team members, community providers, and regulatory agencies to support successful admissions, care planning, discharge planning, and transitions of care.

The ideal candidate is compassionate, organized, knowledgeable about long-term care regulations, and comfortable managing sensitive resident and family concerns.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the facility’s Social Services Department.

• Assess residents’ psychosocial, emotional, behavioral, and discharge-planning needs.

• Participate in resident assessments, care plans, care conferences, and interdisciplinary team meetings.

• Coordinate safe discharge plans, community services, transportation, equipment, home-care referrals, and follow-up resources.

• Provide residents and families with counseling, education, advocacy, and support.

• Assist residents with advance directives, resident rights, financial resources, guardianship matters, and other social-service needs.

• Support the admissions process and help residents and families adjust to the long-term care environment.

• Address resident and family concerns promptly and professionally.

• Investigate and document grievances, allegations, and psychosocial concerns in accordance with facility policy.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation in residents’ medical records.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS requirements and resident-rights standards.

• Collaborate with nursing, rehabilitation, dietary, activities, behavioral health, admissions, and administration.

• Develop relationships with hospitals, community agencies, healthcare providers, and other referral partners.

• Supervise, train, and support Social Services Department staff, as applicable.

• Participate in quality-assurance and performance-improvement initiatives.

• Perform other duties related to resident care and social services as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, or a related field.

• Social work license or certification when required by state law.

• Previous social services experience in a skilled nursing facility, long-term care facility, rehabilitation center, hospital, or similar healthcare setting.

• Knowledge of resident rights, care planning, discharge planning, and applicable healthcare regulations.

• Strong communication, documentation, conflict-resolution, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work effectively with residents, families, staff, healthcare providers, and community organizations.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters with professionalism and compassion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work.

• Current LSW, LMSW, LCSW, or equivalent state credential.

• Two or more years of social services experience in a skilled nursing or long-term care setting.

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience.

• Experience with MDS-related documentation and electronic medical records.

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive:

• Competitive compensation

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and paid holidays

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Life and disability insurance

• Employee-assistance program

• Professional-development opportunities

• Supportive and collaborative work environment

Benefits may vary based on employment status and facility policy.

Schedule

• Full-time

• Monday through Friday

• Day shift

• Occasional evenings, weekends, or on-call availability may be required based on resident and facility needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.