Domestic Violence Advocate

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Domestic Violence (DV) Advocate provides a range of domestic violence victim services to both patients and employees of Boston Medical Center as well as consultation with those working to support victims and survivors of abuse. The Advocateparticipates in multidisciplinary crossdepartmental case reviews training and other institutional initiatives to improve the health care and employer response to domestic violence. The DV Advocate works under the supervision of the Domestic Violence Programmanager. IND123

Position: Advocate

Department: Domestic Violence

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPOSIBILITIES:

• Provide services for adult and adolescent victims of domestic violence referred from a wide range of inpatient outpatient and other settings across the hospital with particular focus on (but not limited to) the Emergency Department. Direct victim services include:

• Crisis intervention and supportive counseling.

• Risk assessment and safety planning with client.

• Assistance with obtaining emergency orders of protection victim compensation and a wide range of community resources including safe housing/shelter legal financial employment and other services including additional DV advocacy/ crisis counseling and other support as needed.

• Accompanies victims to court legal medical housing and other appointments as appropriate.

• Provides support and consultation regarding the causes dynamics impact and associated risks of domestic violence for victims and their families. Provides ongoing followup with clients regarding safety planning and identification of additional advocacy needs and resources; including referrals to appropriate followup services and treatment.

• Participates in departmental and multidisciplinary meetings as appropriate.

• Serves on the BMC Domestic Violence Advisory Committee in support of the DV Programs ongoing effort to improve institutional response to domestic violence.

• Attend trainings and meetings sponsored by community domestic violence agency partners to maximize knowledge of and access to a range of victim services.

• Collect and maintain confidential client services data generate reports as requested for the purposes of program development evaluation quality assurance and required reporting to funders.

• Adheres to department/program and hospital protocols including the following:

• Adapts to changes in the departmental needs including but not limited to: offering assistance to other team members floating to other areas adjusting assignments etc. as needed.

• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct including those pertaining to patient rights so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.

• Utilizes hospitals behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the department and the hospitals mission and goals.

• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures. Performs other duties as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Bachelors Degree (or equivalent) in Social Work Public Health Psychology or related field required.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 3 years of general work experience and demonstrated understanding of the dynamics of intimate partner abuse/victimization principles of advocacy/empowerment approaches to victim services or experience in domestic violence intervention required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Training and/or experience in the impact of domestic violence on health; familiarity with the health care response to domestic violence including screening assessment documentation etc.

• Excellent direct service/support skills comfortable working with both adult and adolescent victims of domestic violence.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to instill confidence and to advocate for survivors and their family.

• Excellent organizational skills to be selfdirected to set priorities balance numerous responsibilities and to followthrough.

• Excellent English speaking and writing skills.

• Additional language skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served preferably Spanish

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to work with a culturally and linguistically diverse patient and employee population.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans