By: Laura More, MSW, LCSW and Edie Deane-Watson, MS, CCC, CCM

The Social Worker in Long-Term Care is a new 2-hour online continuing education (CE/CEU) course that provides a framework for providing care in a skilled nursing facility. It is intended to give the clinician an overview of the important aspects of long-term care that effect treatment, including the structure, organization and reimbursement system of skilled nursing facilities. Course #20-88 | 2014 | 27 pages | 14 posttest questions

As the population of the United States ages, a growing number of social workers are specializing in elder care and work full or part-time in skilled nursing facilities. Success in long-term care requires the social worker to be familiar with the treatment issues of elders. Knowledge of common medical issues is needed to thoroughly understand the elder’s condition. In the long-term care environment most residents have multiple medical conditions that impact their functioning. Persistent pain and a decreased ability to perform activities of daily living, for example, impact the person’s affective state. Depression, loneliness, and grief are common in elders, and are often seen in long-term care. Understanding Medicare and Medicaid in this setting is vital, as is knowledge of the resources for needed services or equipment. Learning critical issues in elder care gives the social worker an opportunity to improve the quality of life for frail elders in skilled nursing facilities, and help families cope with medical and financial issues surrounding placement in long-term care. This course will provide a framework for providing care in a skilled nursing facility. It is intended to give the clinician an overview of the important aspects of long-term care that effect treatment, including the structure, organization and reimbursement system of skilled nursing facilities. The average resident and common treatment areas will also be discussed.

This online course provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. Successful completion of the online CE test (80% required to pass, 3 chances to take) and course evaluation are required to earn a certificate of completion. You can print the test (download test from My Courses tab of your account after purchasing) and mark your answers on while reading the course document. Then submit online when ready to receive credit.

About the Authors:

Laura More, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and healthcare author. She earned her Masters of Social Work from Florida State University and has over twenty years of healthcare experience, with a focus on geriatric and head injury rehabilitation. Laura has directed case management, social service, and rehabilitation in skilled nursing, outpatient and inpatient hospital settings. She has managed long-term care rehabilitation from facility, area, and regional positions, with a strong emphasis on training and education of staff and client caregivers in the provision of care for geriatric patients in skilled nursing facilities. Laura was one of the founding partners of Care2Learn, a provider of online continuing education courses for the post-acute healthcare industry. She has authored or edited over 120 online continuing education titles, co-authored evidence-based care assessment area resources and a book, The Licensed Practical Nurse in Long-term Care Field Guide. She is the recipient of the 2010 Education Award from the American College of Health Care Administrators.

Edie Deane-Watson, MS, CCC, CCM, has served in the post-acute care industry in various capacities for 25 years. She developed and managed SNF based rehabilitation programs at the facility and regional level and was one of the founding partners of Care2Learn, a provider of online continuing education courses for the post-acute healthcare industry. In addition, she has worked in acute care, head injury, life care planning, and e-learning. She is currently the Director of Education and Training at American Health Tech, a leading provider of post-acute care integrated software.

CE Information:

Professional Development Resources (ACE Approval #1046) is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Program. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for the online/home study program. ASWB Approval Period: 6/12/2013 – 6/12/2016. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits.

Social workers participating in this course will receive 2 clinical continuing education clock hours.

Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (Provider #BAP346); the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (Approval #PCE1625); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board (Provider #RCST100501); and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678).