Q: What's a typical workday like for you?

A: At the morning meeting, nurses and social workers discuss residents' issues. In addition to managing my caseload of 22 residents, I manage five other social workers and oversee the admissions coordinator. We are here to help residents and families with all the non-medical information, and work with residents to achieve their highest quality of life.

Q: How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?

A: We're the key advocates for resident rights, making sure that our residents can do what they want as long as it's safe. Not everyone who comes here has to stay here if they can do better in another setting, whether it's assisted living or at home with special services. We help determine what setting is best for them.

Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?

A: I interact with residents, families or responsible parties such as friends, conservators and guardians; nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing assistants; therapeutic recreation specialists; occupational, physical and speech therapists; administration; volunteers; home care and hospice agencies; and the county Medical Assistance office.

Q: Why did you become a social worker?

A: I liked working with people and it was something I could do with my undergrad degree. The internships gave me a chance to see if this was something I really wanted to do. And there are so many opportunities within social work.

Q: What do you like about your work?

A: I really like that every day is not the same. I love working with elderly residents and their families, and working with and supporting my social workers.