About a Third of Nursing Home Social Services Directors Have Earned a Social Work Degree and License

Mercedes Bern-Klug; Kevin M. Smith; Amy Restorick Roberts; Nancy Kusmaul; Denise Gammonley; Paige Hector; Kelsey Simons; Colleen Galambos; Robin P. Bonifas; Chris Herman; Deirdre Downes; Jean C. Munn; Giang Rudderham; Elizabeth A. Cordes; Robert Connolly

doi:10.1080/01634372.2021.1891594

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About a Third of Nursing Home Social Services Directors Have Earned a Social Work Degree and License

Journal article

Open access

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About a Third of Nursing Home Social Services Directors Have Earned a Social Work Degree and License

Mercedes Bern-Klug, Kevin M. Smith, Amy Restorick Roberts, Nancy Kusmaul, Denise Gammonley, Paige Hector, Kelsey Simons, Colleen Galambos, Robin P. Bonifas, Chris Herman, …

Journal of gerontological social work, Vol.64(7), pp.699-720

10/03/2021

DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2021.1891594

PMID: 33656405

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Abstract

Nursing home (NH) residents have high psychosocial needs related to illness, disability, and changing life circumstances. The staff member with the most expertise in addressing psychosocial needs is the social worker. However, federal regulations indicate that only NHs with 120+ beds need hire a social services staff member and that a "qualified social worker" need not have a social work degree. Therefore, two-thirds of NHs are not required to employ a social services staff member and none are required to hire a degreed social worker. This is in stark contrast to NASW professional standards. Reporting findings from this nationally representative sample of 924 social services directors, we describe the NH social services workforce and document that most NHs do hire social services staff, although 42% of social services directors are not social work educated. 37% of NHs have a degreed and licensed social worker at the helm of social services. The odds of hiring a degreed and licensed social workers are higher for larger NHs, especially if not-for-profit and not part of a chain. NH residents deserve psychosocial care planned by staff with such expertise. Quality of psychosocial care impacts quality of life.

Social Services

healthcare workforce

nursing facilities

Details

Title: Subtitle: About a Third of Nursing Home Social Services Directors Have Earned a Social Work Degree and License
Creators: Mercedes Bern-Klug - University of Iowa
Kevin M. Smith - University of Iowa
Amy Restorick Roberts - Miami University
Nancy Kusmaul - University of Maryland, Baltimore
Denise Gammonley - University of Central Florida
Paige Hector - Paige Ahead Healthcare Education & Consulting, LLC, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Kelsey Simons - VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System
Colleen Galambos - Bader Philanthropies
Robin P. Bonifas - Indiana State University
Chris Herman - National Association of Social Workers
Deirdre Downes - Social Work and Supportive Care Programs , Isabella Geriatric Center, MJHS, New York, USA.
Jean C. Munn - Florida State University
Giang Rudderham - University of Iowa
Elizabeth A. Cordes - Manor College
Robert Connolly - Retired CMS Health Insurance Analyst, Marriottsville, MD, USA.
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of gerontological social work, Vol.64(7), pp.699-720
DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2021.1891594
PMID: 33656405
NLM abbreviation: J Gerontol Soc Work
ISSN: 0163-4372
eISSN: 1540-4048
Publisher: Routledge
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100016026, name: RRF Foundation for Aging
Language: English
Date published: 10/03/2021
Academic Unit: International Programs; School of Social Work; Public Policy Center (Archive)
Record Identifier: 9984307256602771

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