Corporate Director of Social Services

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Corporate Director of Social Services
DEPARTMENT: Administration / Operations
SUPERVISOR: Vice President of Operations, Chief Operating Officer, and/or Executive Director of Operations

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Corporate Director of Social Services & Discharge Planning is responsible for providing leadership, oversight, education, and operational support to Social Services departments across multiple skilled nursing facilities. This position ensures excellence in resident psychosocial care, discharge planning, care transitions, regulatory compliance, customer service, and quality outcomes.

The Corporate Director serves as a resource, mentor, and support to facility Social Workers and interdisciplinary teams to improve resident outcomes, reduce avoidable hospitalizations and readmissions, strengthen discharge processes, and maintain compliance with federal, state, and company regulations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following represents the essential functions of the Corporate Director of Social Services & Discharge Planning role. This list is intended to provide a general description of duties and responsibilities; however, it is subject to change according to the needs of the organization as determined by Executive Leadership.

Leadership & Oversight

• Provide leadership, guidance, oversight, and support to Social Services departments across assigned facilities.
• Develop, implement, and standardize best practices for Social Services, psychosocial care, discharge planning, and care transitions.
• Conduct routine facility visits, audits, and coaching sessions to ensure consistency, compliance, and quality performance.
• Mentor, train, and support facility Social Workers and Social Services Designees to strengthen leadership development and job performance.
• Assist facilities with recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and retention of Social Services staff.
• Provide guidance to Administrators and interdisciplinary teams regarding resident, family, and psychosocial concerns.
• Serve as a resource for complex discharge planning, behavioral health, family dynamics, and crisis intervention situations.

Discharge Planning & Care Transitions

• Oversee discharge planning processes to ensure safe, timely, and successful resident transitions.
• Monitor discharge-related metrics, including
  • Length of stay
  • Community discharge rates
  • Hospital readmissions
  • Successful home transitions
  • Discharge barriers
• Collaborate with nursing, therapy, physicians, hospitals, case managers, admissions teams, and families to improve discharge outcomes.
• Assist facilities with identifying and addressing barriers impacting discharge success and census growth.
• Develop and implement discharge readiness standards, transition protocols, and family education processes.
• Ensure discharge documentation is completed timely and accurately in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and company regulations related to Social Services and discharge planning.
• Support facilities during state surveys, federal surveys, audits, and complaint investigations.
• Conduct audits related to:
  • Social Services documentation
  • Resident rights
  • Psychosocial assessments
  • Grievances
  • Care conferences
  • Discharge planning documentation
• Develop corrective action plans and provide follow-up education and support when opportunities for improvement are identified.
• Assist facilities in maintaining survey readiness at all times.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities and initiatives.

Resident & Family Experience

• Promote resident dignity, resident rights, psychosocial well-being, and customer service excellence.
• Assist facilities with resident and family grievances, concerns, and conflict resolution.
• Support initiatives designed to improve resident and family satisfaction scores.
• Encourage resident-centered care practices throughout the organization.

Collaboration & Operations

• Collaborate with Operations, Clinical, Therapy, Admissions/Marketing, Finance, and interdisciplinary teams to support organizational goals.
• Participate in census development initiatives through improved discharge planning and successful community transitions.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators related to Social Services and discharge planning.
• Provide routine reports, recommendations, and operational updates to Executive Leadership.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and continuing education programs as requested.

General Responsibilities

• Must act in ways that promote professional and positive representation of the organization to the community.
• Communicates in a professional and courteous manner using effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills with residents, families, coworkers, vendors, and community partners.
• Maintains confidentiality of resident, employee, and company information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Maintain compliance with the company Compliance Program, Code of Conduct, and all company policies.
• Adhere to company attendance and dress code standards.
• Must be available to travel regularly between assigned facilities.
• May be required to assist facilities during emergencies or disaster situations.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE / REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Qualifications

• Freedom from illegal use of drugs.
• Freedom from use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace.
• Anyone found guilty by a court of law of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating individuals in a healthcare-related setting is ineligible for employment in this position.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Licensed Social Worker (LCSW, LMSW, CSW, or state equivalent) preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of skilled nursing or long-term care experience required.
• Multi-facility leadership or management experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of CMS regulations, discharge planning requirements, and long-term care operations.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

• Current Social Work licensure preferred as applicable by state regulations.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Successful community discharge rates
• Reduction in hospital readmissions
• Timeliness of discharge planning completion
• Regulatory and survey outcomes
• Resident and family satisfaction scores
• Social Services staffing retention and stability
• Length of stay management
• Documentation compliance and audit scores