Sexual and Domestic Violence Advocate - Aurora Healing & Advocacy Services

Major Responsibilities:

• Provides initial crisis intervention based on the trauma and provides culturally specific care for victims of sexual assault. Provides medical and police accompaniment.
• Meets with patients/clients in-person or by telephone and provides support through the healing process as they deal with being a survivor of sexual violence. Conducts survivor follow up calls.
• Observes, listens and assesses clients trauma reaction and helps them develop personal plans for safety, by helping the client understand their stress and fears and ability to cope with the sexual violence.
• Supports clients through personal and legal issues, crisis intervention, support groups, crime victim compensation information and referrals to appropriate services. Advocates with landlords, employers, educational institutions and community resources on client's behalf as needed.
• Facilitates support sessions in collaboration with the abuse response team. Provides support to center hotline.
• Maintains appropriate documentation and records and pertinent statistics. Assists with collection of data and evaluations of the program.
• Participates in the direct service provision and support of volunteers.
• Assists with program development, evaluation, improvement, planning and budgeting. Assists with developing policies and procedures.
• Develops strong collaborative relationships within Aurora Health Care and the community and is knowledgeable about community services, agencies and other individuals that may aide the client.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• A valid drivers license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or related field, or
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Services or related field.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in working with clients who have experienced trauma, sexual abuse and/or violence.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated ability to assess client needs.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice, health care and social service systems.
• Ability to make and maintain community connections to resources.
• Ability to handle multiple cases simultaneously, attend to details and solve problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Must have a car and be willing to make home visits.
• Flexibility as may not know what day will look like until it has started, number of patients, location etc. will vary.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work well with others.
• Must have functional speech, hearing, and vision.
• Must be able to work in a moderately stressful environment.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, and reach above shoulders frequently.
• May be exposed to hazardous road and weather conditions.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This position will also work more closely with our Safe Mom Safe Baby and Safe Home Environment Programs, which work specifically with pregnant and/or recently delivered moms experiencing interpersonal violence.

Aurora Healing & Advocacy Services is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team (nurses, advocates, support staff, therapists) that provides support to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Crisis services are 24/7. This department works closely with other departments in the hospital (women’s health clinics, the Emergency department), and with outside community agencies (nonprofits that do similar work, law enforcement and the criminal justice system, etc.)

This is a grant funded position with an 18 month funding commitment. There is a possibility for extended funding, but is not something that can be guaranteed.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.