Medical Response Advocate

*Please Apply via Rockfordil.gov. Please Do Not Apply on really.com*

NATURE OF WORK

The Medical Response Advocate position is a full-time position that is responsible for implementing the agency’s hospital-based Medical Response Advocacy Project, working on behalf of survivors of intimate partner violence in collaboration with interdisciplinary staff at UW SwedishAmerican Hospital. This role involves providing on-scene trauma-informed support, advocacy, information, and referrals to survivors seeking treatment within the Emergency Room while maintaining strict confidentiality standards. Additionally, the Medical Response Advocate provides information and training on the intersection of intimate partner violence, specifically strangulation, and health care to healthcare providers and emergency medical technicians. They serve on various community committees and task forces representing the healthcare needs of intimate partner violence survivors.

GRANT FUNDING ADVISEMENT:

This position is 100% funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). DCEO grant funding for the current project will end on June 30, 2025 with an anticipated extension to December 2025. Acceptance of this position shall not be construed as a guarantee of employment beyond the grant-funded period.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Medical Response Advocate dedicates their time to being the primary advocate and support for survivors of intimate partner violence at the UW Health Emergency Department. They facilitate collaboration between healthcare staff, team members, and outside agencies, identifying and addressing the educational needs of medical personnel regarding intimate partner violence through in-service training and consultation. Focusing on crisis intervention, they conduct intake and assessment to determine clients' needs and eligibility for services, triage immediate needs, provide crisis responses, make appropriate referrals, and ensure a warm handoff to additional mid- and long-term support services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (These essential duties are only illustrative.):

Facilitate collaboration between health care staff, Family Peace Center staff, project team members, and outside agencies serving survivors of intimate partner violence.

Ascertain intimate partner violence education needs of medical personnel and coordinate and provide in-service training and consultation to healthcare providers on intimate partner violence issues to meet the identified needs.

Accept referrals from health care staff. Interview patients to determine the appropriate services to be initiated and to obtain patients’ consent to receive project services, direct services, and referrals.

Provide support, options, safety planning, referrals, and advocacy to survivors of intimate partner violence as requested, in alignment with the Family Peace Center’s philosophy.

Ensure all interactions, both within and outside the agency, affirm the value of diversity and respect individuals' gender, class, race, ethnicity, ability, religion/spirituality, cultural identity, immigrant or refugee status, and sexual orientation.

Adhere to the Family Peace Center’s confidentiality and information-sharing process.

Uphold trauma-informed and survivor-driven principles and policies of the Family Peace Center.

Maintain current, thorough knowledge of issues about intimate partner violence, including their intersections with other forms of oppression and the need for empowerment-based survivor-centered advocacy.

Develop and distribute intimate partner violence materials to patients and healthcare providers.

Maintain and submit statistical information, reports, records of contact, and activities.

Assist as needed with accomplishing the goals and objectives of the Medical Advocacy Response Project via other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director of The Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention general and day-to-day supervision and direction of the Project Manager of the grant, who reviews work for effectiveness, timeliness, and overall results achieved.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position does not require supervisory duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in a hospital setting, often in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.

SUCCESS FACTORS (KSAs)

Thorough knowledge of intimate partner violence and human trafficking prevention efforts and the impact and intersection of community violence, including best practice prevention efforts and strategies.

Comfortable working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with multiple organizations. Sensitivity to the concerns of partner entities, willingness to receive and use feedback in program design, interpersonal interactions, and policy development.

Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing, to conduct research, and to prepare clear and concise reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, medical professionals, other government agencies, law enforcement, the general public, and community organizations.

Possess knowledge of and sensitivity to the diverse cultural backgrounds of survivors of intimate partner violence, and demonstrate effective ways to accommodate these differences.

Show commitment to the mission of our work and uphold organizational values, consistently performing all job duties with integrity and professional ethics.

Observe safety and security procedures.

Adapt to changes in the work environment.

Skill in the use and care of a personal computer.

Ability to ask for help and support.

Ability to treat clients, staff, and partners with kindness, dignity, and respect in challenging circumstances and conditions.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Maintain strict confidentiality standards.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in human services, social services, or the equivalent, and three years’ experience in client navigation and/or crisis intervention. Must have or be able to complete the 40-hour ICADV Intimate Partner Violence Training and other training in confidentiality and mandated reporting within 30 days of hire. Possess knowledge about the local efforts to address intimate partner and community violence in the city of Rockford and the Family Justice Center movement and the purpose of this model and service delivery.

Knowledge of best practice interventions for persons in trauma from intimate partner violence or sexual violence, child or elder abuse, or human trafficking. Experience with computer programs, and data collection desired. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be substituted for the required experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid Illinois driver’s license.

Residency Requirement:

All employees (except Police and Fire) shall reside anywhere in Winnebago County or anywhere within fifteen (15) miles of the Rockford City Hall within six (6) months of completion of their introductory period, department heads and City Administrator shall live within the municipal boundaries of the City of Rockford within six (6) months of their completion of their introductory period.

*Please Apply via Rockfordil.gov. Please Do Not Apply on really.com*

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $47,548.80 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Language:

• Bilingual (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Rockford, IL 61104 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Rockford, IL 61104: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $47,549