Bilingual Medical/Legal Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

Advocate on behalf of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors with law enforcement, criminal justice and emergency department personnel. Engage law enforcement, criminal justice and medical systems in improving services to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Provide training to professionals on issues related to sexual abuse/sexual assault and domestic violence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide crisis intervention to survivor survivors and their significant others as needed.
• Provide back-up to 24-hour volunteer hotline on a rotating basis with the other Medical/Legal advocates.
• Participate in departmental, line of service, and organizational meetings as required.
• Act as liaison between survivor and person(s) involved in the investigatory process, i.e., police, DCFS, state's attorney, ER nurse or physician. Coordinate services to reduce the number of investigative interviews survivors are expected to participate in.
• Prepare survivors and significant others for court proceedings to ensure their full participation.
• Facilitate survivor in court to obtain a civil no contact order (CNCO) for protection from the perpetrator.
• Accompany survivors and significant others to court hearings in order to provide support and to act as liaison between survivor and state's attorney's office, as warranted.
• Represent the survivor at their request with service institutions, including court, police, DCFS, hospital.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with players in the criminal justice system, emergency room personnel, rape crisis center staff in order to coordinate services in the best interest of the survivor and their non-offending family members.
• Provide support, crisis intervention and individual advocacy until the states' attorney office refuses to prosecute the case; or, through to the disposition of the case in court. When the states' attorney office drops a case, the advocate refers the survivor to counseling services.
• Document and maintain service statistics and client files and case notes in compliance with policies and procedures of Pillars Community Health Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services. Turn in service statistics, personnel activity reports (PARs), and case notes to data entry worker on a weekly basis.
• Facilitate required number of training and education events with service providers on treatment of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, sexual assault/domestic violence legislation, criminal justice and medical advocacy.
• Perform other duties as assigned to accomplish program goals and objectives.
• Participate in training and awareness activities during Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April and October.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with a disability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Human Services or Criminal Justice, or equivalent combination of education and human services or criminal justice experience required. Illinois 60 hour sexual assault/domestic violence training preferred.

Valid IL driver's license. ( Personal vehicle needed for transportation to/from office, courthouses, hospitals, or other community based events. Mileage for authorized work-related purposes is reimbursable .)

LANGUAGE: Bilingual (English/Spanish) is required

PAY & BENEFIT INFORMATION

$19.50 per hour to $25.77 per hour

* Wage is based on one's experience, qualification, and bilingual language skills as compared with our position requirements and other similar employees within the organization.

Medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability, life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, FSA, Employee Assistance Program, 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off for vacation, sick, personal time, & holidays. Professional development membership to Relias Essential Learning. Reimbursement for position related certifications.