Social Service Assistant Jobs in Springfield, IL

Department: Social Services

Reports To: Administrator

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

PAY: $30.00 per hour

HOURS: 8:00AM - 4:30PM

The Social Services Director is responsible for directing and coordinating social services for residents and their families to promote residents’ psychosocial well-being, quality of life, dignity, independence, and rights. The Social Services Director serves as a resident advocate and works collaboratively with nursing, activities, dietary, therapy, medical staff, MDS, and administration to ensure residents’ psychosocial needs are identified and appropriately addressed.

The Social Services Director is also responsible for ensuring that social services practices, documentation, resident rights, grievance processes, and discharge planning activities are conducted in accordance with applicable federal and Illinois requirements.

Resident Assessment & Psychosocial Support

• Complete psychosocial assessments for residents upon admission and as required.

• Identify residents’ psychosocial, emotional, behavioral, social, and adjustment needs.

• Develop and implement individualized social service interventions based on resident needs, preferences, and goals.

• Provide appropriate counseling, support, and intervention to residents experiencing adjustment difficulties, grief, loss, behavioral concerns, or other psychosocial needs.

• Conduct regular resident visits to monitor psychosocial well-being.

• Identify and report significant changes in mood, behavior, social functioning, or emotional status to the appropriate members of the interdisciplinary team.

• Assist residents in maintaining meaningful relationships with family, friends, and community resources

Care Planning

• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings and resident care conferences.

• Provide psychosocial information and recommendations for individualized care plans.

• Develop and update social service goals and interventions as residents’ needs change.

• Monitor resident progress toward identified psychosocial goals.

• Communicate resident concerns and recommendations to the interdisciplinary team.

Resident Rights & Advocacy

• Promote and protect residents’ rights, dignity, privacy, independence, and choices.

• Serve as an advocate for residents and assist them in expressing concerns and making informed decisions.

• Educate residents and families regarding resident rights, facility policies, and available resources.

• Assist residents with exercising their rights and accessing appropriate services.

• Identify and report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other violations of resident rights in accordance with facility policy and applicable regulations.

Grievances & Complaints

• Receive, document, investigate, and follow up on resident and family grievances and complaints.

• Coordinate with appropriate departments and leadership to address concerns and develop appropriate resolutions.

• Maintain required grievance documentation and ensure timely follow-up.

• Identify trends in complaints and make recommendations to management for improvement.

Admissions & Discharge Planning

• Participate in the psychosocial portion of the admission process.

• Meet with new residents and families to assist with adjustment to the facility.

• Obtain information regarding residents’ social history, family relationships, support systems, preferences, and routines.

• Participate in discharge planning and assist residents and families in identifying appropriate resources and services.

• Coordinate with hospitals, community agencies, family members, and other providers as appropriate to facilitate safe and successful transitions.

• Provide appropriate discharge planning documentation and follow-up.

Family & Community Relations

• Maintain appropriate communication with residents’ responsible parties and families regarding psychosocial needs and concerns.

• Assist families in navigating facility services and community resources.

• Develop and maintain relationships with community agencies and organizations that provide services or resources to residents.

• Assist residents in accessing appropriate financial, transportation, counseling, legal, behavioral health, and other community resources.

Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete social services documentation in the resident medical record.

• Complete required assessments, progress notes, care plan documentation, and other required records within established timeframes.

• Maintain resident confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and facility policies.

• Maintain current knowledge of applicable CMS, IDPH, and Illinois requirements related to social services, resident rights, and discharge planning.

• Assist with regulatory surveys, audits, and requests for documentation.

Quality Improvement & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities as assigned.

• Monitor trends related to grievances, psychosocial concerns, discharge outcomes, and resident satisfaction.

• Make recommendations to administration regarding opportunities to improve resident care and quality of life.

• Collaborate with nursing, MDS, activities, therapy, dietary, admissions, and other departments.

• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, staff meetings, and facility committees as assigned.

Leadership & Administrative Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for the facility’s social services functions.

• Maintain organized social services records and required documentation.

• Provide staff education regarding resident rights, communication, psychosocial needs, and related topics as appropriate.

• Assist the Administrator and Director of Nursing with resident-related projects and initiatives.

• Maintain professional relationships with residents, families, staff, physicians, outside providers, and community agencies.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.

• Required: Current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license in the State of Illinois, in good standing.

• Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited program.

• Previous experience providing social services in a long-term care, skilled nursing, healthcare, or geriatric setting preferred.

• Knowledge of long-term care regulations, resident rights, discharge planning, psychosocial assessments, and social services practices.

• Strong assessment, counseling, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive resident and family information.

• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

• Proficiency with electronic medical records and basic computer applications.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the facility as needed.

• Ability to interact with residents in resident rooms, common areas, offices, and other facility locations.

• Ability to travel into the community or to outside appointments and agencies as required.

• Ability to respond appropriately to resident-related situations and emergencies.

The Social Services Director works throughout the skilled nursing facility and regularly interacts with residents, families, visitors, employees, physicians, outside providers, and community agencies. The position requires professional handling of confidential and sensitive information and the ability to respond appropriately to resident and family concerns.

• Competitive Wages

• Paid Holidays

• Vacation Time

• Sick Time

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• 401 (K)

• Worker’s Compensation Insurance