Social Services Advocate

Position Summary

The Social Services Advocate is responsible to provide medically related social work services so that each resident may attain or maintain the highest practicable level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. The Social Services Advocate participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team and may assist patients in treatment planning.

• Assess and evaluate each resident’s psychosocial needs and develop goals for providing the necessary service and take part in admission process as needed.
• Incorporate the social service goals in the resident’s plan of care and attend care planning conferences.
• Assist the residents in adjusting to the corporation and promote a positive environment for the continuity of relationship with family and community.
• Assist residents and families to utilize the community resources when not provided directly by the corporation.
• Maintain confidential records and interviews with residents and families as appropriate.
• Provide supervision for social work student interns.
• Assist in development, supervision and education of staff.
• Serve as the team lead in discharge planning.
• Serve as a member of the marketing committee.
• Ensure completion of any required components of DPOA or guardianship paperwork.
• Coordinate services with psychiatric providers.
• Coordinate services with OBRA.
• Assist the clinical IDT in resident room management.
• Assist residents and families in resolving grievances as assigned.
• Attend clinical IDT meetings and serve as an advocate for resident rights.
• Provide social work consults to evaluate and recommend Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnoses for residents as requested.
• Perform related tasks as required.

Requires a master’s degree in gerontology or a related field and at least one year of experience in a social services program for the elderly or related field.

• Requires knowledge of the skills necessary to conduct and evaluate assessments of the social and economic aspects of resident care and to identify and evaluate changes in mood and behavior, which affect their lives.
• Requires a working knowledge of the skills necessary to provide continuity in and coordination of resident care, i.e.; possesses skills to interview residents and their families, and communicate with community resources, when necessary.
• Must have knowledge of community agencies and other resources for making referrals for family and resident problems.
• Basic business computer knowledge required.
• Requires ability to communicate effectively with staff, residents and families.
• Must be able to plan, implement and work with only minimal direct supervision.
• Must be able to write clearly and concisely in preparation of social histories and care plans.
• Must be a good listener and be able to display understanding and a helpful attitude toward the problems and concerns of the residents with terminal illnesses and their families and others.
• Requires ability to provide social work consults to evaluate and recommend Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnoses for residents as requested.
• Must be familiar with the most recent DSM and keep current with any changes made to the manual.
• Must be able to provide full axis (1-5) diagnoses and recommendations for resident care.

• Manual dexterity required to operate modern office equipment.
• Ability to travel as needed or assigned.