ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

§  Uses all information sources available, assesses participants’ psychosocial health status and social work needs. 

§  Completes assessments at admission and for required care planning according to regulatory requirements and as condition change indicates. 

§  Determines participant and family needs related to social support, financial support, counseling and housing. 

§  Confers with participant and family to identify participant goals and expectations 

§  Coordinates with the Interdisciplinary Team to develop a comprehensive care plan for each participant. 

§  In cooperation with the Interdisciplinary Team, plans and performs psychosocial interventions designed to keep the participant in the community and enhance quality of life to the greatest extent possible.  

§  Assists in the completion of participants’ healthcare wishes and advance directives in cooperation with their primary care physician and/or nurse practitioner, the participant and family. 

§  Provides discharge planning in the event of disenrollment. 

§  Acts as participant advocate and liaison between participant and various governmental and private agencies in order to maximize the participant’s support network and obtain needed services: 

§  Facilitates communication between participant and various government programs such as Medicaid, SSI, Medicare and Social Security 

§  Reviews Medicaid eligibility, monitors time frame for recertification 

§  Facilitates Medicaid applications for certification and recertification in conjunction with Medicaid Eligibility Specialist 

§  Participates in interagency meetings as needed and assists participants in obtaining housing and eligibility for low-income housing options. 

§  Evaluates need for and assists with the set-up of money management systems for participants who require assistance. 

§  Keeps up-to-date on changing rules and regulations regarding Medicaid and Medicare eligibility and other entitlement programs and services. 

§  Acts as participants’ advocate and liaison between participant, family and Care Team: 

§  Facilitates communication between participant, family and Care Team to maximize or maintain participant support systems. 

§  Facilitates or participates in family meetings as required 

§  Facilitates the Participant Council to create and maintain a vehicle for dialogue between participants and the Care Team, and to empower participant responsibility. 

§  Conducts family support groups, education or training sessions, and routine family caregiver meetings for education, support and dialogue. 

§  Works with Executive Director to provide orientation and in-service programs for Care Team to enhance staff understanding of psychosocial issues and to meet regulatory requirements and support performance improvement. 

§  Coordinates with mental health-related providers, including drug and alcohol treatment, to arrange appointments and share pertinent information. 

§  Participates in surveys and inspections made by authorized government agencies. 

Specified Duties: 

§  Serves on, participates in, and attends meetings of various teams and/or committees, as required and appointed by the Executive Director. 

§  Provides written and/or oral reports of the social services programs and activities, as required or may be directed by such committees. 

§  Evaluates and implements recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to social services. 

§  Performs administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submits such to Executive Director as required. 

§  Makes written and oral reports/recommendations to the Executive Director concerning the operation of the Social Services Department. 

§  Reviews departmental complaints and grievances from participants and makes written reports to the Program Manager of action(s) taken. 

§  Assists the Quality Improvement Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies. 

§  Assures that all progress notes charted are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the participant’s response to the service. 

§  Maintains a reference library of written material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations that will provide assistance in maintaining quality social service. 

§  Meets with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning social service programs and activities. 

§  Maintains an excellent working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinates social services to assure that daily social services can be performed without interruption. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

 Education: 

§  Master’s degree in Social Work required 

Credentials/Licensure Required: 

§  Current Social Work license in Arkansas 

Experience: 

§  Three-years experience in long-term care or home care/geriatric setting 

§  Proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, and electronic health records strongly preferred. 

 Age of Patients Rendered Care: 

§  Adult and geriatric patients  

ADDITIONAL NOTES

§  Must possess a valid driver's license.

§  Must be willing to travel occasionally