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 Advocate participates in multi-disciplinary, cross-departmental 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 Program manager. 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/rape 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 on-going follow-up with clients regarding safety planning, and identification of additional advocacy needs and resources; including referrals to appropriate follow-up services and treatment.

• Participates in departmental and multi-disciplinary meetings as appropriate.

• Serves on the BMC Domestic Violence Advisory Committee, in support of the DV Program’s on-going 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 hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the department and the hospital’s mission and goals.

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

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s 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 self-directed, to set priorities, balance numerous responsibilities and to follow-through.

• 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