Purpose/belief statement:

The position of Resident Services Director provides planning, assessing, coordinating and implementation of services to enhance each resident’s social and psychosocial wellbeing and assure that care standards are met and the highest degree of quality resident care is provided at all times. This position enhances each resident’s quality of life during their stay buy addressing his or her social and psychosocial needs, along with the appropriate staff. The Resident Services Director will coordinate the activity programming and social services as they relate to meeting the individual resident’s needs. He or she will also work in harmony with other health care professionals in the community, staff members, family members and residents to achieve 100% customer satisfaction. The position must function as a team member, team leader, and supervisor to ensure that work is accomplished and quality care is delivered, supporting team members and leading the way in celebrating team successes. While focusing on delivering quality care, the position must also manage the resources within their control and assist others in managing resources.

Job duties & responsibilities

• Perform all duties involved in resident advocacy

• Develops and maintains a good working rapport with other direct care givers to assure their participation and support of all programs/services to benefit the residents’ psychosocial wellbeing.
• Leads the Resident Council Monthly meeting and keeps records.
• Leads the Family Council Monthly meeting and keeps records.
• Create and provide monthly Support Group meetings.
• Monitor the living space of the facility on a daily basis and assist other staff in addressing issues and taking action.
• Participates in all care conferences and attends any other meetings re: resident care planning and/or center policymaking that affects the caring community concept.
• Work with others to see that all concerns of family/responsible party are addressed and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
• Participate in appropriate room changes.
• Counsels family members, residents, and/or staff members.
• Exhibits strong advocacy for resident’s rights, involving appropriate family members, staff members and residents.
• Reports all grievances and complaints and make necessary oral/written reports to the Administrator/designee.
• Serves as the resident’s advocate at all times working in harmony with all direct care giving staff to assure that the resident’s needs are being met at all times (i.e. appropriate dress and clean appearance). Is aware of any changes in a resident’s condition and report immediately to the charge nurse.
• Identify and consider information that would:
• Help to solve the problems of residents to better meet their needs.
• Determines the proper approach to an issue in question.
• Assist in identifying and correcting problem areas.
• Improves the quality of activities and/or services and increase a variety of opportunities and choices for the resident.
• Involves family members and guests in activities whenever possible.
• Maintains confidentiality of all resident/family information at all times.
• Maintains contact with resident’s families encouraging them to remain involved in the care and life of the resident and informing them of any change in the resident’s psychosocial well-being as needed.

• Responsible for the performance of all social and psychosocial functions

• Provides meaningful 1 on 1 interactions for all restrained/bed-bound residents during waking hours to assure psychosocial needs are being met
• In cooperation with the Administrator and the Director of Nursing, is responsible for the evaluation of resident’s psychosocial and social needs.
• Responsible for establishment of psychosocial goals to be included in the resident’s plan of care in conjunction with nursing and other departments.
• Provides a continuing assessment of resident care plan by having direct contact with family members on a regular basis, and maintaining a friendly, supportive relationship. (1-1, family meetings).

• Maintain proper documentation and perform general duties

• Documents initial social assessment, social history, discharge plan, progress notes and other assessments as indicated per center.
• Assesses the prospective resident prior to admission.
• Coordinates care and services for new resident with direct care staff on day of admission, providing written copy of information.
• Markets the facility through facility tours and in the community (pre-admission visits to hospitals, speaking engagements, etc.)
• Receives missing item reports and distributes copies to appropriate staff members and follows up with complainant for customer satisfaction.
• Receives complaint reports and distributes copies to appropriate staff members and follows up with complainant for customer satisfaction.
• Maintains clean office area, organized and presentable at all times in order for you to be able to meet with resident families and other service providers
• Coordinates departmental and center meetings and projects as directed by the Administrator/designee.
• Participates in orienting new staff and volunteers to the center and working with them, supporting their services/contributions to the center.
• Participates in all projects assigned by the Administrator in conjunction with the Activities Dept. to promote the Caring Community concept to the public, staff, family and friends of the center, i.e.: Volunteer and family appreciation events, Holiday Buffet, Thanksgiving Day Feast, Planting Day, Special interest stories for the newspaper, etc.
• Maintain a professional appearance, manner and approach while on duty.

• Attend and participate in scheduled training, education classes, and orientation programs to maintain and enhance quality of care.

• Develop and present in-services on a regular basis to enhance staff’s understanding/knowledge base in working with residents with dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease, the facility’s philosophy of providing care and services, as well as addressing facility issues.
• Attend all required in-service and training programs required within your department.
• Attend any mandatory meeting as required by your center.

• Perform other related activities as assigned or requested.

• Maintain and work within established departmental, center, and home office policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement program, and safety, environmental and infection control standards.

• Promptly reports any suspected resident abuse, neglect or misappropriation to the DON.

Qualifications & Experience requirements

• 4 year college degree in social work or related field.
• 3-5 years of prior work/life experiences, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Must be licensed by the State
• Licensure exam through the State Social Worker and Counselor Board.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Must be knowledgeable of social services practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guideline that pertain to long-term care.
• Must have strong communication skills.
• Must have the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must be able to deal tactfully with team members, other staff, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, and the general public.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing practices.
• Basic computer literacy and skills.
• Prior experience preferably with related software applications.

Work environment

• May work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, when necessary.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Field based work required. Occasional overnight travel will be required as times with field based assignments.

Physical effort/demands (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Ability to move (sit, stand, bend, lift) intermittently throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of 50 pounds.

Mental effort/demands (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Ability to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and ability to work effectively with staff and support agencies.
• In good health and demonstrating emotional stability.
• Ability to cope with the mental and emotional stresses of the position.

Communication (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.

Sensory requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Ability to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.