Social Services Director

Social Services Director

Dawson Springs Health & Rehab | Concord Health Systems

Dawson Springs Health & Rehab, a Concord Health Systems facility, is seeking a compassionate, experienced, and results-driven Social Services Director to lead and manage the facility's social services department. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing psychosocial services, resident advocacy, discharge planning, care coordination, crisis intervention, and regulatory compliance within a skilled nursing and rehabilitation environment.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, extensive knowledge of long-term care regulations, and a commitment to improving resident outcomes, quality of life, and patient satisfaction through person-centered care practices.

Dawson Springs Health & Rehab is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) including Disability and Protected Veteran status.

Position Summary

The Social Services Director provides leadership and oversight for all social services operations, ensuring residents and patients receive comprehensive psychosocial support throughout their healthcare journey. This role collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, families, community agencies, healthcare providers, and regulatory bodies to coordinate services, facilitate successful transitions of care, and maintain compliance with federal, state, and facility standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Department Management

• Lead, develop, and supervise the Social Services Department within a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility.
• Recruit, onboard, train, mentor, and evaluate social services personnel.
• Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Monitor service delivery, caseload management, and resident satisfaction outcomes.
• Promote a culture of accountability, compassion, professionalism, and patient-centered care.
• Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to strategic facility initiatives.

Resident Advocacy & Psychosocial Services

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for residents, patients, and families.
• Develop individualized care plans that address emotional, social, behavioral, and environmental needs.
• Advocate for resident rights, dignity, autonomy, and quality of life.
• Provide counseling support, crisis intervention, grief support, and conflict resolution services.
• Assist residents and families in navigating healthcare decisions and available resources.
• Support residents through admissions, transfers, discharges, and significant life transitions.

Care Coordination & Discharge Planning

• Coordinate discharge planning and transition-of-care services to ensure safe and successful outcomes.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, therapists, case managers, and healthcare providers to develop discharge plans.
• Arrange referrals to community agencies, home health services, hospice providers, behavioral health resources, transportation services, and supportive programs.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary care plan meetings and resident reviews.
• Monitor discharge outcomes and identify opportunities for process improvement.

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain compliance with CMS, Medicare, Medicaid, state licensing regulations, and facility policies.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete documentation within electronic medical records (EMR/EHR) systems.
• Develop, implement, and maintain social services policies and procedures.
• Prepare for surveys, audits, inspections, and accreditation reviews.
• Monitor departmental practices to ensure adherence to HIPAA and resident confidentiality requirements.
• Support facility quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives.

Community Outreach & Resource Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, agencies, hospitals, and healthcare partners.
• Educate residents, families, and staff regarding community resources and support services.
• Represent the facility at healthcare networking events, professional associations, and community outreach programs.
• Identify new partnerships that enhance resident support and continuity of care.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
• Current Social Work licensure preferred (LCSW, LMSW, CSW, or state-equivalent credential).
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience in healthcare social services.
• Experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, post-acute care, assisted living, hospice, or hospital settings preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, discharge planning processes, and healthcare regulations.
• Experience working within interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Social Services Leadership
• Long-Term Care Administration
• Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Operations
• Resident Advocacy
• Psychosocial Assessment
• Discharge Planning
• Transitional Care Management
• Case Management
• Care Coordination
• Crisis Intervention
• Family Counseling
• Conflict Resolution
• Regulatory Compliance
• CMS & Medicare Guidelines
• Medicaid Programs
• HIPAA Compliance
• Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI)
• Electronic Medical Records (EMR/EHR)
• Staff Development & Coaching
• Community Resource Coordination
• Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
• Cultural Competency
• Communication & Relationship Management

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Supportive Team Environment