Social Services Assistant

Kern River Transitional Care Center
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Pay Range: $18.00 - $21.00 per hour (DOE)
Employment Type: Full-Time
General Purpose

The primary purpose of this position is to assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the facility's social services programs in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as established facility policies and procedures. This role ensures that the medically related emotional and social needs of residents are met and maintained on an individual basis.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Social Services Director/Consultant in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing social service programs
• Collaborate with administration, medical, nursing, and interdisciplinary teams to support resident care planning
• Assist in developing, administering, and coordinating departmental policies and procedures
• Participate in annual reviews and recommended updates of social service policies
• Identify and address residents' medically related social and emotional needs
• Assist residents in achieving the highest practicable level of self-care, independence, and well-being
• Provide medically related social services to support residents' physical, mental, and psychosocial health
• Complete administrative duties including documentation, reports, and required forms
• Educate residents and families regarding Medicare, Medi-Cal/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs
• Maintain regular social service progress notes reflecting resident adjustment and response to care plans
• Assist residents and families with emotional stressors related to illness, admission, disability, and long-term care placement
• Coordinate social services with other departments and community agencies
• Assist with discharge planning, including referrals for services, equipment, and community resources
• Schedule outpatient appointments and coordinate on-site ancillary services (optometry, podiatry, dentistry, psychiatric services)
• Support orientation and in-service education related to residents' social, emotional, and medical needs
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident information and report suspected unauthorized disclosures
• Report suspected or known incidents of fraud or abuse in accordance with facility policy

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred but not required
• Prior healthcare or long-term care experience preferred

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret policies, procedures, and regulations
• Ability to write reports and professional correspondence
• Ability to effectively communicate with residents, families, staff, and leadership

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to apply basic math concepts including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and adapt to variable situations
• Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions

Physical Demands

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Prolonged use of desktop or laptop computer
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, read, and hear
• Frequent use of office equipment including copier, scanner, fax, telephone, and calculator
• May be required to assist in resident evacuation during emergency situations
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions

Work Environment

• Typical office and healthcare facility environment
• Noise level is generally low to moderate
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to support essential job functions

Additional Information

This job description does not limit management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time. The duties listed describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Kern River Transitional Care Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification in accordance with applicable laws.