TITLE: HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE

DEPARTMENT: Advocate

REPORTS TO: TRAINING SPECIALIST

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Part time; Volunteer COMPENSATION AND HOURS: Unpaid; 24 hours per month for 6 months minimum required after completion of training; ongoing training required.

VACANCIES: Unlimited

ACADEMIC LEVEL: Minimum high school degree or GED

START DATE: Rolling start date based on training sessions; 4 training sessions a year (January, April, August, and November)

POSITION SUMMARY: Crisis Services Advocate Department is the New York State Department of Health Certified Rape Crisis Center and a New York State approved non-residential Domestic Violence Service Provider. Our Hospital Response Intervention Program provides trauma-informed crisis intervention and response to all 10 Erie County Emergency Departments on an on-call basis for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, family violence, and/or elder abuse. During these interventions, Volunteers provide emotional support, lethality assessment, crisis intervention, and client advocacy. Volunteers collaborate with medical staff, law enforcement, and Crisis Services Staff to ensure the best possible care for the survivor.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Maintain a commitment to the mission and work of Crisis Services with a deep appreciation for and sensitivity to the guiding principles of the agency.
2. Maintain a commitment to professionalism when interacting with the agency, allied partners, members, and communities at large.
3. Complete 40 hours of Volunteer Training and receive supervisory clearance to attend hospital cases.
4. Provide crisis intervention (safety planning, providing support, etc.) to survivors who present at any of the 10 Hospital Emergency Departments in Erie County, as required during on call shifts for the minimum commitment of 6 months.
5. Complete 24 hours of hospital on call each month for a minimum of 6 months.
6. Meet quarterly with assigned Volunteer Supervisor.
7. Attend at least five hours of advance training for minimum commitment of 6 months.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge: No prior education in domestic and sexual violence, counseling, or advocacy required. Must be at least 18 years old and have access to reliable transportation.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: The Advocate Volunteer will maintain productive relationships with agency management, program staff, other volunteers, and employees.

External: Will work collaboratively with a variety of community partners (including but limited to; medical staff, law enforcement, employees of other agencies).

ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• General office environment for in person meetings/trainings; no exposures to extreme heat, cold, dust, noise.
• Travel to local hospitals (Erie County only) required.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: Primarily a sedentary position with occasional standing, sitting, bending and reaching required. Volunteer must have the ability to display empathy and support for Advocate Clients.

EEO STATEMENT:

Crisis Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law.

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.