Social Worker

**Job Description**:
**Administrative**:

- Review policies and procedures as part of the multidisciplinary team to assure compliance with Enhanced Nursing Home Standard
- Participate in reviewing and setting policies concerning resident care and quality of life.
- Participate in developing social work policies.
- Develop, maintain and utilize a listing of current community resources that are useful to residents and their families/significant others.
- Participate in quality assurance interdisciplinary team meetings.
- Understand and meet all government requirements for social service documentation.
- Document progress in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents.

**Clinical**:

- Complete a social history and psychosocial assessment for each resident that identifies social, emotional, and psychological needs.
- Participate in the development of a written, multidisciplinary plan of care for each resident that identifies the psychosocial needs/issues of the resident, the goals to be accomplished for those needs/issues, and the appropriate social worker interventions.
- Ensure or provide therapeutic interventions to assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs.
- Ensure or provide support and education to residents/family members/significant others to assist in their understanding of placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to the appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services.
- Provide groups for residents/family members/significant others as appropriate to their needs.
- Provide clinical interventions to address catastrophic events that occur during the resident’s stay in the facility.
- Coordinate the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for appropriate home care services prior to the resident’s return to the community.

**Education**:

- Educate staff regarding the role of the social worker in the facility and the psychosocial needs of the residents and their families/significant others including the problems of ageing and disability.
- Educate staff regarding cultural diversity and each staff member’s importance when caring for residents. Educate staff regarding residents’ rights and how to recognize and prevent abuse, neglect and mistreatment.
- Educate residents and families/significant others regarding their rights and responsibilities, effective problem solving and the extent of community, health and social services that are available to them, including those necessary for effective discharge planning.
- Supervise students assigned to social services in accordance with the respective school guidelines and monitor and document the progress of their work.

**Group Therapy**
- Social worker is responsible for leading group therapy sessions for residents. The topics of the therapy sessions may vary, but usually focus on adjustment, support, socialization, stimulation, understanding and information. For example, you might lead informal coffee groups that involve discussions about different topics, like movies, art or other topics of general interest, or help new residents acclimate to life in the nursing home by leading adjustment groups. Sometimes, you might be asked to come up with new group topics to help provide a stimulating and nurturing environment for the residents.

**Requirements:
Degree in Social Work or Graduate Diploma in Social Work

1 - 3 years in Social Work; Experienced working with elderly and/or person with dementia

Registered with Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW)