SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT

POSITION: 

This position is Temporary.

The Social Service Assistant functions under the guidance and supervision of the Social Service Director to provide related social services which assist residents in maintaining or improving the ability to manage their physical, mental and psychosocial needs. 
 
REPORTING: 
This position is responsible to the Social Service Director.   
 
FLSA STATUS:      Non-Exempt 
 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• As directed, assist with the admission process; facility tours, inquiries, interviewing prospective residents, families or responsible parties 
• Make arrangements/appointments for personal care issues/items such as hair care, transportation to appointments and arrangements to obtain requested adaptive equipment, clothing and personal items 
• Participate in quality assurance programs, as directed 
• Maintain contact with family members and attending physicians for invitations to care plan meetings and/or other appropriate communication as requested 
• Document on social service log all contact and referrals 
• Assist in resolution of grievances and theft and loss issues as requested 
• Assist residents/families in completing various forms and applications, including advance directives, Medi-cal applications, voter registration, etc. 
• Participate in Behavior Management programs as directed 
• Attend facility in-service and staff meetings as directed 

JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Demonstrates knowledge of, and respect for, the rights, dignity and individuality of each resident in all interactions 
• Appreciates the importance of maintaining confidentiality of resident and facility information 
• Demonstrates honesty and integrity at all times in the care and use of resident and facility property 
• Strict adherence to the corporate integrity agreement, standard of compliance 
• Current knowledge of county, state and federal laws and regulations, as applicable, that apply to social service’s in long term care 
• Able to express self adequately in written and/or oral communication and to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff members, representatives of community and government agencies 
• Able to understand and follow written and verbal directions 
• Able to effectively communicate with staff members and residents through verbal and/or written means 
• Able to act as role model by protecting and promoting residents’ rights in all interactions with residents and families 
• Carries out all duties in accordance with the facility mission and philosophy 
• Knowledge of emergency and disaster procedures of facility.  Able to locate nearest exit, to understand and respond to written or oral instruction in case of emergency 
• Sufficient mobility and strength to move freely through the building, to assure resident safety at all times and to assist, transfer or otherwise move residents of facility out of danger in case of emergency 
• Demonstrates respect for co-workers and responds to needs of residents by complying with facility policies on attendance and punctuality and dress code 
• Able to arrive and to begin work on time and to report for duty as scheduled on all shifts, weekends and holidays 
• Working knowledge and ability to comply with facility policies and procedures for workplace safety 
• Demonstrates ability to prioritize tasks/responsibilities and complete duties/projects within allotted time 
• Able to respond to change productively and to handle additional tasks/projects as assigned 
• Able to carry out the essential functions of this job (with or without reasonable accommodation) without posing specific, current risk of substantial harm to health and safety of self and others 
• Other duties as assigned  

PHYSICAL CAPACITIES:   (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices) 

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. 
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met. 
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which includes an annual TB screening and physical examination.  
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time. 
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.   
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position. 

 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:      
Primarily inside work, normal temperatures, some noise, occasional fumes/odors, chemical exposure, and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens. 
 
This job cannot be performed without exposure to the stresses associated with an intimate, 24 hour skilled care environment that delivers care and services primarily to disabled and cognitively impaired residents in an aging population.  Examples of these stresses include, but are not limited to: emergency health or safety response, weekend and holiday duty, unusual or impaired behavior by residents, family reactions to having a loved one in a nursing home, death and dying, oversight of state surveyors, ombudsmen and federal officials, presence of consultants and attorneys, and variable involvement of medical staff. 
 

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: 
Education:       
    High School graduate or equivalent  
License:       
    None 

Work Experience:     

• Classes/experience in social work or related field preferred 
• SSD Certificate enrollment within 6 months of employment 

Language Skills: 

• Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 

Mathematical Skills: 

• Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 
• Ability to perform these operations using units of weight measurement, and volume. 
• Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical information, and to be easily understood through verbal communication in the English language.   

Communication Skills: 

• Must have exceptional communication and customer service skills, and be empathetic.   
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, responsible parties, staff and outside resources and agencies.