Social Services Assistant

Kids for the Future; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Kids for the Future in Indianapolis, IN is seeking a Social Work Assistant to support the Social Services Department in delivering person-centered, compassionate care to residents and their families. You will collaborate with nursing, rehabilitation, activities, admissions, and other team members to promote resident rights, quality of life, and compliance with federal and state requirements.

This role emphasizes discharge planning, care coordination, documentation, and responding to concerns

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in social work, human services, gerontology, psychology, sociology, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience in a nursing home, assisted living, healthcare, social services, behavioral health, or customer-service environment preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day social work functions and resident follow-up.
• Provide supportive communication and active listening to residents and families regarding concerns, adjustment, preferences, and needs.
• Assist residents with identifying and communicating psychosocial, emotional, social, and environmental needs to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member.
• Assist with admission, readmission, transfer, and discharge processes, including gathering information, providing resources, and coordinating follow-up as directed.
• Assist with discharge planning and community resource coordination, including helping residents and families identify appropriate services and supports.
• Assist with care plan meetings, care plan preparation, invitations, documentation, and follow-up as assigned.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation in the electronic medical record and other required records.
• Respond to resident and family concerns promptly and communicate unresolved concerns to the Social Services Director or appropriate department leader.
• Promote resident dignity, privacy, choice, independence, and self-determination in all interactions.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect resident information in accordance with HIPAA, facility policy, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Complete required in-service education and maintain knowledge of facility policies, resident rights, and applicable long-term care requirements.

Skills

Effective communication

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or Bachelor's in social work or related field

Tools

Electronic medical record systems

Job description

• Location 7001 Hoover Road,Indianapolis, IN, 46260,United States

Position Summary

The Social Work Assistant supports the Social Services Department in providing person-centered, compassionate, and timely services to residents and their families. This position assists with resident psychosocial needs, communication with residents and representatives, documentation, discharge planning, care plan processes, referrals, customer service, and other social services activities. The Social Work Assistant works collaboratively with nursing, rehabilitation, activities, business office, admissions, and other interdisciplinary team members to promote resident rights, quality of life, successful transitions, and compliance with applicable federal and Indiana requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Social Services Director and social services team with day-to-day social work functions and resident follow-up.
• Provide supportive communication and active listening to residents and families regarding concerns, adjustment, preferences, and needs.
• Assist residents with identifying and communicating psychosocial, emotional, social, and environmental needs to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member.
• Assist with admission, readmission, transfer, and discharge processes, including gathering information, providing resources, and coordinating follow-up as directed.
• Assist with discharge planning and community resource coordination, including helping residents and families identify appropriate services and supports.
• Assist with care plan meetings, care plan preparation, invitations, documentation, and follow-up as assigned.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation in the electronic medical record and other required records.
• Assist with obtaining and maintaining required resident information, contacts, advance directives, preferences, and other social services documentation.
• Respond to resident and family concerns promptly and communicate unresolved concerns to the Social Services Director or appropriate department leader.
• Assist with referrals to community agencies, ancillary providers, transportation resources, counseling services, financial or benefits resources, and other services as appropriate.
• Assist residents and families with understanding facility processes, resident rights, grievance procedures, and available resources.
• Assist with routine psychosocial follow-up, including residents experiencing adjustment difficulties, loneliness, anxiety, grief, behavioral concerns, or changes in social circumstances.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, quality assurance/performance improvement activities, and other meetings as assigned.
• Assist with monitoring and follow-up on resident appointments, referrals, family communications, and other assigned social services tasks.
• Promote resident dignity, privacy, choice, independence, and self-determination in all interactions.
• Maintain professional relationships with residents, families, visitors, staff, community partners, and vendors.
• Recognize and report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, mistreatment, or other safety concerns in accordance with facility policy and applicable law.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect resident information in accordance with HIPAA, facility policy, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Complete required in-service education and maintain knowledge of facility policies, resident rights, and applicable long-term care requirements.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Social Services Director or Administrator.

Resident and Family Support

• Serve as a supportive point of contact for residents and families while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Assist with orientation of new residents and families to the facility, services, routines, and available resources.
• Assist in identifying barriers to successful discharge or transition and communicate those barriers to the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide follow-up after significant changes, transitions, or identified concerns as directed.

Documentation and Compliance

• Complete documentation accurately and within required timeframes.
• Support compliance with federal and Indiana long-term care requirements applicable to social services and resident rights.
• Follow facility policies and procedures related to documentation, confidentiality, grievances, abuse prevention, emergency preparedness, and resident safety.
• Participate in audits and corrective action activities related to assigned responsibilities when requested.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in social work, human services, gerontology, psychology, sociology, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience in a nursing home, assisted living, healthcare, social services, behavioral health, or customer-service environment preferred.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn the needs of older adults and individuals with physical, cognitive, behavioral, or psychosocial needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, and community partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and demonstrate sound professional judgment.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn electronic medical record systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Preferred Skills and Characteristics

• Compassionate, patient, and resident-centered approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Professionalism, dependability, and follow-through.
• Ability to de-escalate concerns and respond to difficult situations appropriately.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Respect for diverse backgrounds, values, preferences, and life experiences.
• Commitment to service excellence and a positive resident and family experience.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. The position requires regular interaction with residents throughout the facility and may require walking, standing, sitting, bending, reaching, and occasional movement of light office or resident-related materials. The employee may be exposed to typical nursing home environmental conditions and must follow infection prevention and safety practices.

Nonprofit Mission and Culture

As an employee of a nonprofit nursing home, the Social Work Assistant is expected to support the organization's mission and values by promoting dignity, compassion, stewardship, service, and person-centered care. The employee is expected to contribute to a respectful workplace and to treat residents, families, and coworkers with courtesy and professionalism.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Duties may be modified based on organizational needs, resident needs, regulatory requirements, and the employee's qualifications and experience. This job description should be reviewed and updated as needed to remain consistent with applicable federal and Indiana requirements and organizational policy.

Employee Signature: ________________________________ Date: ______________