Job Responsibilities
Advocate for long-term care residents in a nursing home
environment. MDS paperwork consists of 5 hours per week. Intake
assessments depends on how many residents are admitted to the
facility. Work very closely with administration and the nursing
staff as well as the medical director and on-site doctors.
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Job Requirements
Master's in Social Work is required but in some instances a
Bachelor's in Social Work is accepted. Workload is extensive,
quality of classes range from excellent to good, grading is fair
as well as the Professors.
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Uppers
The ability to make a difference in the elderly population.
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Downers
A great deal of paperwork makes it difficult at times to spend
the quality time with the residents.
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Lifestyle
One has to love working with the geriatric population to be successful in this
environment. Hours are regular full time hours some facilities include working on
an occasional Saturday. There is no travel. Fun side is dressing up for Halloween
and having the residents judge the best costume. The dress code is casual.
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Compensation
Salary ranges from $30,000 to $40,000 per year depending upon
location and experience. Health benefits are usually paid in full
by the employer. Called Professional courtesy. Dependents on
Health plan covers a co-pay or in some instances the facility
pays for a spouse in full. Usually there is a pension-plan where
one becomes vested and a 401 K Program that you are eligible for
after 90 days. Health benefits also 90 days. You receive anywhere
between 3-4 weeks paid vacation, 10-12 Holidays and Personal/Sick
days of 12 days. Some employers provide an incentive program
which entails if you do not use your sick time, you get paid at
the end of the year. Raises are on the down side. It depends on
how many beds are empty in the facility. Upside-there are so many
nursing homes that if you want to get a better salary, you can
always negotiate with a new employer if you so desire.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Remember this is a nursing home environment so as a social worker
you have to respect the opinions of the nursing home staff.
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