Senior Life Specialist

At Alden Gardens and Courts of Des Plaines, we are looking for a Senior Life Specialist to join our team. We are a small, resident-focused assisted living community.

In addition to overseeing the social and emotional care of our residents, and for the respomsibilities described below, this roll included staff engagement and scheduling, coordination of education and in-services and front desk management. Please continue reading below for more detail.

• Responsible for performing the assigned social work duties and responsibilities within the facility. The SLS works closely not only with Residents, but families as well. The SLS will plan, develop, and organize social services in accordance with current Alden policies and procedures, Federal, State, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations. The SLS reports to the Executive Director and accepts consultation and supervision from the Corporate Coordinator of the Social Services Program and the Director of Operations of Clinical programs.

• Preferred bachelor’s degree in human services field; high school
• diploma required.
• Have two years of experience working in the social service realm of the healthcare field.
• Current knowledge of Federal and State Long Term Care (sheltered care) social service regulations.
• Demonstrate skills and ability in working with and understanding the needs of the residents, families, and other staff members along with personnel from community agencies.
• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language in an understandable manner. The ability to produce concise, meaningful, clinical written reports, assessment, documentation, and care planning initiative articulate the social/psychological needs of the residents.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action that are in the best interests, staff, and families. Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with the residents, family members, visitors, personnel, government agencies-personnel and the general public in a professional manor.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• The ability to accept and utilize professional supervision, consultation, and in-service training-educational opportunities.
• Must demonstrate the ability to handle confidential data with professional discretion.
• Have the experience and qualified marketing skills to effectively express Alden services to other health professional, outside professionals and potential resident and family members.
• Possess a knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to effectively deal with the senior population.
• Possess the qualities of empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, and humor in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.
• Willingness to be flexible regarding work hours in order to ensure quality of care.
• Understand and be able to manager emotional needs of yourself and the staff.
• Must have the right attitude of being personable, enthusiastic, and resourceful.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with customers, visitors, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people.
• May be required to lift, push, pull, and move equipment, supplies, etc., throughout the day.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. including exposure to the (HIV) Aids and Hepatitis B viruses.

• Coordinate and schedule all Resident Service Plan meetings with residents, families, and staff. Make sure necessary paperwork for meeting is completed and signed by family.
• Prepare resident files to make sure all…