Social Worker

Optalis Healthcare; Alabama; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan options

Continuing education opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Optalis Healthcare in Alabama seeks a dedicated Social Worker to support psychosocial needs of residents in a skilled nursing facility. You will advocate for residents and families, coordinating services to promote rights, quality of life, and emotional well-being while collaborating with the interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities include assessments, care planning, counseling, crisis intervention, discharge coordination, and ensuring compliant documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work required; MSW preferred.
• Current state Social Work licensure or certification recommended per state regulations.
• Minimum 1 year experience in healthcare, skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, or hospital setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments at admission, periodically, and with significant changes.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized social service care plans.
• Provide emotional support, counseling, and crisis intervention to residents and families.
• Assist with adjustment to illness, placement, and long-term care living.
• Advocate for residents’ rights, dignity, privacy, and self-determination.
• Coordinate discharge planning and collaborate with hospitals, home health, hospice, and community resources.
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation in medical records and ensure HIPAA compliance.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team and participate in care conferences and meetings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW)

MSW preferred

Tools

Electronic medical records (EMR)

Job description

Position Summary

The Social Worker is responsible for supporting the psychosocial, emotional, and discharge planning needs of residents in a skilled nursing facility. This position serves as an advocate for residents and families while coordinating services that promote resident rights, quality of life, dignity, and emotional well-being. The Social Worker collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure residents receive appropriate support, resources, and care planning throughout their stay.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Resident Care & Support

• Complete psychosocial assessments for residents upon admission, quarterly, annually, and with significant changes.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized social service care plans.
• Provide emotional support, counseling, and crisis intervention to residents and families.
• Assist residents and families with adjustment to illness, disability, placement, and long-term care living.
• Identify psychosocial concerns and coordinate appropriate interventions.
• Advocate for resident rights, dignity, privacy, and self-determination.
• Participate in resident care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Monitor residents for signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, depression, anxiety, or psychosocial decline and report concerns according to facility policy.
• Assist with advance directives, guardianship concerns, and end-of-life planning when appropriate.

Discharge Planning & Care Coordination

• Coordinate safe and effective discharge planning processes.
• Collaborate with hospitals, physicians, home health agencies, hospice providers, dialysis centers, transportation providers, and community agencies.
• Arrange referrals and resources for residents transitioning to home or alternate levels of care.
• Ensure discharge documentation and resident/family education are completed timely and accurately.
• Participate in insurance-related discharge planning discussions as needed.

Family & Resident Relations

• Maintain regular communication with residents and responsible parties.
• Address resident and family concerns promptly and professionally.
• Assist with conflict resolution and grievance management.
• Educate residents and families on resident rights, facility policies, and available services.
• Promote resident and family satisfaction through effective communication and support.

Regulatory & Documentation Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the medical record.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and facility regulations, including CMS requirements.
• Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement activities.
• Assist during surveys and audits by providing requested documentation and information.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

Administrative & Team Responsibilities

• Participate in facility committees and meetings as assigned.
• Collaborate effectively with nursing, therapy, dietary, activities, and administration departments.
• Support facility initiatives related to resident-centered care and quality outcomes.
• Maintain current knowledge of community resources and long-term care regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) required; Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) preferred.
• Current state Social Work licensure or certification preferred or required based on state regulations.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in healthcare, skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, or hospital setting preferred.
• Knowledge of CMS regulations, discharge planning processes, and resident rights.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in electronic medical records and basic computer applications.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, and external providers.

Work Environment

• Skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility environment.
• Frequent interaction with residents, family members, healthcare professionals, and visitors.

Schedule

• Full-time position.
• Weekday schedule with occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed to support resident care and facility operations.

Key Competencies

• Compassion and empathy
• Resident advocacy
• Crisis intervention
• Communication and conflict resolution
• Time management and organization
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Team collaboration
• Professionalism and confidentiality

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Retirement plan options
• Continuing education opportunities
• Supportive team environment