SAAVE Advocate

Job Summary:

To provide trauma informed and victim/patient centered crisis intervention advocacy, forensic exam accompaniment in WMC Emergency Department, safety planning, referral services and general information to survivors and secondary victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, stalking, harassment, and general trauma. In addition, to accompany survivors to medical appointments, clinics, police departments, appointments with law enforcement and attorneys and court appearances. Assist Senior Director with day-to-day administrative maintenance of office, grants, trainings, screenings, and other tasks.

Responsibilities:

• Accompanies sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking and trauma victims/clients to medical/forensic exams, court, police stations, and other appointments as needed.
• Provides information, referrals, practical assistance, and crisis intervention to victims in WMDHospitals for sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, harassment, stalking and other forms of sexual misconduct.
• Conducts screenings in hospital for various types of victimology.
• Provides and/or oversees all crisis interventions, supportive listening and case management for all victims.
• Assists with applying for victim compensation through the New York State Office of Victims Services (OVS) including emergency HIV prophylaxis prescription payments.
• Participates in implementation of countywide Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) including direct services, safety planning, data collection, reporting and referrals.
• Provides information and referrals to victims for services on WMCHealth Valhalla campus and the network of Westchester County community partners/providers, such as domestic violence shelters, mental health treatment facilities, medical care practitioners, and other local service providers.
• Performs trauma informed and patient centered rounding and completion of screening tool for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder assessment/referrals in adult trauma patients in coordination with Westchester Medical Center’s Trauma Program. Maintains thorough, accurate and timely records as required.
• Performs trauma informed and patient centered virtual or telephonic screening tool for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder assessment/referral in pediatric trauma patients/caregivers in coordination with Westchester Medical Center’s Pediatric Trauma Program. Maintains thorough, accurate and timely records as required.
• Collaborates with police officers to effectively provide assistance to victims including medical and mental health appointments and facilitate kit pick up.
• Maintains and monitors computerized data for accurate and timely grant management and reporting.
• Maintains thorough, accurate and timely case records and statistics.
• Provides data for accurate grant reports which comply with New York State regulations.
• Maintains logs and forms for all program services offered (direct services, hotline, walk-ins and the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) for domestic violence.
• Coordinates on a weekly basis and as needed with Forensic Acute Care Team and Emergency Department regarding forensic cases and statistics.
• Advocates for victims with victim service providers including domestic violence providers and Family and Criminal Court staff.
• Works collaboratively with other SAAVE staff in the development of new protocols and practices.
• Maintains programmatic documentation including training manuals.
• Provides victims follow-up to ensure needs are met and addresses additional issues as they arise.
• Maintains logs for additional training/certifications of staff and volunteer advocates.
• Assists Program Manager in developing and maintaining accurate schedules for FACT accompaniment on-call, crisis hotline and LAP Line shifts
• Maintains and monitors online training platform for onboarding of new volunteer advocates. Maintains volunteer advocates training completion paperwork and certifications for program.
• Answers 24/7 crisis hotline and provides support for callers in crisis in need of information and referral. Completes required documentation of services provided.
• Schedules and coordinates team meetings and/or trainings for program.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Crime Victims Advocacy Services
• Helps with providing outreach, education and training to departments within the WMCHealth hospital network as well as off campus including community agencies, schools, colleges and universities as needed.
• Participates in staff, direct service and supervision meetings; Attends WMC Child Protection Committee, Westchester County Domestic Violence Council, Westchester and Rockland Counties Anti-Trafficking Task Forces and other meetings as necessary.
• Engages in a minimum of 10 hours of additional professional development trainings annually.

Experience:

0-3 years’ experience.

Education:

High School Diploma, required. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, preferred. Professional experience sufficient in scope, depth, and performance may serve in place of academic requirements.

Licenses / Certifications:

(SAAVE will provide training for the certification requirements below):

• Certification as SAAVE Rape Crisis Advocate (pre-certification and annual training required).
• Certification as LAP advocate with Westchester County Domestic Violence High Risk Team.

Other:

• The ability to communicate with, supervise and empower volunteers to be effective in their roles – experience with volunteers preferred.
• Ability to work cooperatively with different types of personalities.
• Knowledge of:
  • victim-centered and trauma informed care,
  • crisis intervention techniques and case management responsibilities;
  • human behavior and needs at times of crime and crisis;
  • behavioral health, social services, and other community resources;
  • the criminal justice system, NY State Criminal Code, and Rights of Victims;
  • police department operations, policies and procedures.
• Current up-to-date computer skills required.
• Responsible, accountable, and takes ownership for actions
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Detail-oriented and excellent follow through
• Strong MS Office application skills, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Webex and internet research.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.