Social Worker Assistant

The-Pearl-At-Fort-Lauderdale; North Bal Harbor (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pearl at Fort Lauderdale is seeking a dedicated Social Worker to support residents' adjustment to the facility and promote psycho-social functioning, with emphasis on discharge planning when appropriate.

You will perform initial assessments, maintain social histories, coordinate with families and staff, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including pre-paid burial discussions and surrogate filings.

Qualifications

• Must be physically and mentally capable of performing routine job duties.
• Understanding of psycho-social dynamics of the geriatric population and ability to empathize and guide them.
• Personable with residents, families, and staff in a professional and cooperative manner.
• Compassion, tolerance, and understanding for the elderly.
• Knowledge of hospital discharge planning and long-term care policies.
• Knowledge of JCAHO, OBRA, IDPH, and HFS regulations related to social services and directives.

Responsibilities

• Support the facility's philosophy of care and work to meet its goals.
• Greet new residents and orient them to the building and staff.
• Maintain departmental documentation: initial social history and discharge planning; quarterly updates.
• Record significant events in residents' lives and social service contacts.
• Monitor psychosocial notes and supervise psychosocial aides where needed.
• Educate residents and families about pre-paid burial/funeral arrangements and complete related steps.
• Complete the Social Service Section of the MDS form on admission and during changes.
• Maintain regular contact with residents and families to assess changing needs.
• Coordinate room changes and document them in medical records per IDPH regulations.
• Address problems with residents and families; strive to reconcile differences.
• Provide information about Advanced Directives and obtain surrogate signatures; maintain DNR lists.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Professionalism

Education

B.A. in Psychology or Sociology

B.A. or M.A. in Social Work

Licensed Clinical Social Worker certificate

Job description

The primary focus of the Social Worker is to assist in the resident's adjustment to the facility and maintain the highest possible level of psycho-social functioning within the facility environment. A secondary focus is to provide discharge planning when necessary to home or other appropriate facilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. Either a B.A. in Psychology or Sociology; a B.A. or M.A. in Social Work; or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker's certificate.
• 2. Two years experience in the field of social work in a long term care environment is required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• 1. Must be physically and mentally capable of performing routine job duties.
• 2. An understanding of the psycho-social dynamic of the geriatric population and ability to empathize and provide guidance to them
• 3. Be personable with residents, families, and staff in a professional and cooperative manner.
• 4. Must have compassion, tolerance, and understanding for the elderly.
• 5. Knowledge of hospital discharge planning and policies as it relates to the long term care population.
• 6. Knowledge of JCAHO, OBRA, IDPH, and HFS regulations relevant to social services, discharge procedures, and advanced directives.

MAIN DUTIES

• A. Support the facility's philosophy of care and strive to achieve its goals and objectives.
• B. Greet new residents to the facility and orient them to the building and staff.
• C. Maintain appropriate departmental documentation:
• a) assess all new residents upon admission and complete the social service initial admission notes, social history, social assessment, and discharge planning when appropriate.
• b) write quarterly and annual updates of Social Assessment and Social History.
• c) record all significant events in resident's life and social service contacts.
• d) monitor and assist psychosocial staff in maintaining psychosocial notes as well as provide additional supervision and support to psychosocial aids.
• e) inform and educate residents/families/legal representative regarding the importance of pre-paid burial/ funeral arrangements and follow up with the completion of the above arrangements.
• D. Complete the Social Service Section of the MDS form upon admission, quarterly, annually and/or in cases of significant change.
• E. Maintain as much personal contact as possible with the resident and his/her family or guardian in order to continue good relations and to determine changing conditions and needs.
• F. Coordinate room changes and make calls to families when necessary. Distribute list of changes to each involved department and document each room change in resident's medical record verifying change and justifying the need in accordance with IDPH regulations.
• G. Address problems of residents and families and attempt to reconcile differences when possible.
• H. Remain current and provide information to residents and families regarding Advanced Directives and assist in completion of documents as needed. Coordinate obtaining physician acknowledgments and signatures for surrogate forms. Maintain currency of all signed DNR forms and the list of all residents who have them in the data base.
• I. Contact families of private pay residents immediately after discharge to determine type of bed hold desired and report information to the billing office.
• J. Send bed hold letters for each discharge to hospital to Public Aid and private residents and answer questions generated by these letters.
• K. Provide information about community resources to families of residents.
• L. Meet with representatives from community agencies such as home health care and agencies providing outside programs for residents.
• M. Coordinate discharge planning for appropriate residents:
• a) complete the MDS discharge form when necessary.
• b) contact families to arrange care giving and/or transportation.
• AB. Perform other related duties as directed by the Administrator.