Mission Statement: The mission of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response® (STAR®) is to support survivors of sexual trauma, improve systems response, and create social change to end sexual violence.

Position Description: The Medical Advocate performs a variety of duties involved in providing support and advocacy for the rights and protection of survivors of sexual trauma and their loved ones. The primary duty of the Medical Advocate is to accompany survivors of sexual assault to CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital (Rapides Parish), Avoyelles Hospital (Avoyelles Parish), or Doctors Hospital at Deer Creek (Vernon Parish) in order to provide support and resources before, during, and after a forensic medical exam. Medical Advocate are also responsible for answering the 24 hour hotline during designated shifts. Medical Advocates are expected to be available on holidays, nights, and weekends.

Classification: Must work at least two (2) weekends a month; a weekend consists of 5 shifts. Weekends begin on Fridays at 5:00pm and end on Mondays at 8:30am. Position is part-time to be paid on a semi-monthly basis.

Reports to: Advocacy Director

Salary: Salary for this position is $15 per completed 12-hour shift and $15 per hour of direct service. Travel time, supervision, and monthly meetings are classified as direct service hours.

Position Duties

• Provide advocacy for survivors of sexual trauma at the individual and system level by:
  • Providing comprehensive crisis intervention to primary and secondary survivors of sexual assault
  • Providing emergency, 24/7 response to survivors receiving forensic medical exams for evidence collection
  • Accompany survivors to law enforcement interviews that happen while in the hospital setting
  • Ensuring survivors' rights are upheld
  • Educating survivors on the criminal justice process and interpreting specific jargon used by other sexual trauma response professionals.
  • Providing assistance to survivors in filing applications for crime victims' reparations
  • Connecting victims with additional services throughout the community as needed
  • Conducting safety plans with all survivors
  • Assisting survivors with accessing transportation and emergency shelter as needed
• Complete accurate and detailed reports upon conclusion of each medical advocacy accompaniment
• Maintain good working relationships with other agencies
• Ability to communicate effectively, problem solve, and work well with people from other organizations including community partners, hospital staff, and law enforcement
• Participate in monthly supervision meetings
• Undergo progress report check-ins at the end of two months and four months, and undergo performance reviews at the end of six months of service, then annually following the first year
• Submit mandated reports to DCFS and/or law enforcement per Louisiana law
• Performing other duties as assigned by supervisor