Job Details
Level: Entry
Job Location: Hettinger, ND 58639
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: High School/GED
Salary Range: $20.83 - $25.66 Hourly
Job Shift: Day
Position Summary
The Social Services & Admissions Designee supports residents and families throughout the continuum from initial inquiry and admission through residency, care planning, transition, and discharge. This position serves as a primary resource for prospective residents and families, coordinates the admission and move-in process, supports census development efforts, and identifies and addresses the social, psychological, and emotional needs of residents.
The position works collaboratively with Administration, Nursing, Activities, other facility departments, West River Health Services, residents, families, and community resources to promote a positive resident experience, effective communication, successful transitions, and quality of life.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Admissions, Census & Resident Transitions
- Serves as a primary contact for prospective residents and families throughout the inquiry, admission, and move-in process.
- Consults with prospective residents and families to understand resident needs and assists in communicating available services, levels of care, and applicable pricing.
- Provides facility tours and responds to questions from prospective residents and families before, during, and following admission.
- Coordinates potential admissions with Administration, Nursing, and other appropriate departments to support timely review and decision-making.
- Coordinates all aspects of new resident admissions, including required paperwork, communication of admission timelines, immediate resident needs, and the move-in process.
- Works collaboratively with facility leadership and staff to support census development, appropriate admissions, and positive resident and family experiences.
- Performs or participates in home visits as appropriate for potential admissions or discharges.
- Assists residents with room transfers and other significant transitions within the facility.
- Works closely with the West River Health Services Discharge Planner and other referral sources to support continuity of care.
Resident & Family Social Services
- Develops a social history upon admission or within seven days of admission and updates information as appropriate throughout the resident's stay.
- Identifies residents' social, psychological, and emotional strengths and needs and communicates relevant information to the interdisciplinary care team.
- Provides residents and families with emotional support, education, resources, and assistance as appropriate.
- Assists residents with needs or requests related to social, emotional, family, adjustment, and discharge-planning concerns.
- Responds promptly and appropriately to social or emotional concerns identified by residents, families, or facility staff.
- Supports residents in adjusting to changes in health status, living environment, and placement within the facility.
- Encourages appropriate family involvement, communication, and support.
- Assists residents and families in locating specialized services and makes appropriate referrals to community agencies and other resources.
- Maintains current referral information and follows up on referrals and goals as appropriate.
- Makes appropriate referrals for supportive services following discharge and assists with discharge planning as applicable.
Care Planning & Resident Advocacy
- Coordinates resident and family care conferences in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and ensures residents and/or representatives are appropriately informed.
- Participates in interdisciplinary resident care planning and communicates identified social service needs to the appropriate departments.
- Completes required Social Services MDS entries and assists in maintaining applicable MDS schedules and documentation.
- Serves as a liaison to Resident Council and follows through with Administration and appropriate departments regarding resident concerns, recommendations, and opportunities.
- Supports resident rights and assists with annual review and education of resident rights with residents, families, and staff as appropriate.
- Maintains confidentiality of resident information and complies with HIPAA, facility policies, and applicable privacy requirements.
- Oversees or assists with resident inventories in accordance with facility processes.
Quality of Life & Organizational Support
- Collaborates with Activities, volunteers, Nursing, and other departments to develop or enhance programs that support resident relationships, engagement, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life.
- Maintains awareness of community and regional resources that may benefit residents, families, and staff.
- Participates in quality monitoring and performance improvement activities as assigned.
- Works collaboratively with all departments to improve resident experience and quality of life.
- Participates in resident funerals or memorial activities as appropriate and consistent with facility practices.
- Attends meetings and participates in committees as requested by the Administrator.
- Follows all facility safety policies, procedures, work rules, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Performs other duties within the scope of the position as assigned by the Administrator.
Qualifications
- Demonstrates a desire and ability to work effectively with elderly individuals, individuals with disabilities, residents, and their families.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the social, emotional, and psychosocial needs of residents in a long-term care environment.
- Must demonstrate strong communication, organization, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
- Must be able to work collaboratively with residents, families, healthcare providers, community partners, and all facility departments.
- Must maintain resident confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism when handling sensitive information.
- High School Diploma Required
- Education, experience, and/or licensure prefered.
West River Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer