Domestic violence advocate job description

Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. Over 12,000 homeless individuals are cared for by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program each year. We are committed to ensuring that every one of these individuals has access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer treatment. Our clinicians, case managers, and behavioral health professionals work in more than 60 locations to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens.

From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity; centering dignity, compassion, mutual respect and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down barriers, including systemic racism which harms us all. We provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate, incorporating social determinants of health, with the goal of breaking down the physical and systemic barriers that our patients face.

Bilingual, Bicultural, LGBTQIA identifying, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about working at BHCHP, watch our video Please Click Here.

Job Summary:

Are you a fierce advocate against domestic and intimate partner violence? Do you have a strong desire to work with survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence? If so, consider applying for the Domestic Violence Program Advocate position with Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) where you will make an immediate impact by providing a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all survivors of trauma, including those impacted by domestic/intimate partner/ and sexual violence, substance abuse, sex trafficking, and other causes.

The DV Program Advocate will function as an essential member of the BHCHP Behavioral Health team, providing frontline support/responses to survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner violence/sexual assault and sex trafficking. This position will develop partnerships with community leaders and Boston Medical Center Domestic Violence Team and serve as the BHCHP’s liaison to various external constituents.

Hours: Full-time; 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm; some evening flexibility and occasional weekend hours required.

Responsibilities:

• Provide client-centered crisis intervention counseling to survivors of domestic violence; conduct intake, assessment, and safety goal planning with clients referred by BHCHP’s staff across the program, and referrals as needed; accompany survivors to the emergency rooms for SANE exams as appropriate; support survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault throughout the process of reporting to appropriate law enforcement agencies as desired by the survivor.
• Utilize survivor-led, trauma-informed practices to provide services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex tracking; provide ongoing services to survivors of domestic violence including counseling and case management.
• Cultivate professional and collaborative working relationships with community partners, including other service providers and larger systems in the community.
• Assist in grant applications with BHCHP’s development team and reporting, assist in training and educating staff on how to identify and support survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence.
• Attend trainings as required and quarterly supervision with Boston Medical Center’s domestic violence team and advocates.
• Complete administrative responsibilities that include database entry, client documentation, email/phone communications, etc.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma required, Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in human services, social work, or related field preferred.
• 1 – 2 years of demonstrated experience working with survivors of domestic/dating violence, trauma, and abuse within marginalized communities, particularly communities of color.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle with the ability to travel to other shelters in the program to assist survivors as needed is required.
• Familiarity with local Boston agencies and Community Resources.
• Demonstrate ability to provide a welcoming and safe space for all survivors (including LGBTQIA+, homeless, and/or low-income populations) to receive services.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, entering narrative and other data into a database, and the use of the Internet to conduct information searches.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The compensation starts at $22.07 per hour and increases based on years of experience.
• BHCHP full time employees are eligible for our competitive time off policy of 4 weeks’ vacation , health, dental and vision insurance, 403B retirement savings plan and employer retirement contribution, and pre-tax MBTA pass program with 40% discount. In addition, eligible employees will receive yearly increases, additional compensation of $7,500 added to your base hiring rate for demonstrated bilingual proficiency and the opportunity to work with local hospitals and community health centers.

Does this amazing opportunity interest you? Then we'd love to hear from you.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, BHCHP pledges not to discriminate against and encourages those from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds to apply, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA identifying, first generation college students and adults without a college degree, Bilingual and Bicultural persons; and individuals from low economic backgrounds.

Covid-19 Vaccination: For the protection of our workplace and patients, BHCHP requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination(s) is required for employment. All candidates offered employment will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination.

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Catholic Charities, the largest private non-profit provider of human services in Maryland, has a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment of 2,000 employees. We serve children and families, people living in poverty, individuals with intellectual disabilities, the immigrant community, and seniors. Year after year named as a Baltimore Top Workplace, we offer great benefits, generous paid time off, and provide career opportunities where you can make meaningful differences in the lives of others as we fulfill our mission to love, serve, teach and work for justice.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is currently seeking a Violence Interrupter that will assist Safe Streets sites in by providing conflict mediation services throughout the targeted Baltimore City neighborhoods or housing applications, process, and reporting. The work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.

Safe Streets is an evidence-based violence prevention and interruption program that works to reduce shootings and homicides in high violence areas, operated by Catholic Charities in collaboration with the Baltimore City Department of Health and the Mayor's Office for Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Identifying and detecting potential shooting events, individuals and groups at highest risk of involvement in a shooting or killing.
* Formulating action plans to resolve conflicts.
* Mediating conflicts between individuals and/or groups.
* Documenting all conflict mediations (form provided by Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE)
* Canvass in target area to build rapport and establish presence.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

* High School Diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience (Must be willing to pursue GED throughout employment as required).

REQUIRMENTS & ABILITIES:

* Experience working with at-risk youth and gang members.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Experience and/or training in crisis intervention.
* Knowledge of Baltimore communities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

* Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
* Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
* Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one work site to another.
* Requires the physical ability to respond to physically demanding situations. Includes the ability to run, lift, bend, drop to knees quickly, and utilize full range of motion of hands, arms, shoulders, knees and legs.

Catholic Charities has a COVID Mandated Vaccination policy for all employees, which includes an exemption process.

We offer a wide range of benefits to meet the ever-changing needs of our employees including but not limited to:

* Health/Dental/Vision
* Vacation/sick/holiday pay
* 403(b) Retirement Plan with a discretionary employer contribution
* Tuition Reimbursement

Join Catholic Charities of Baltimore where you will be an important member of a trauma-informed care organization that promotes a culture of safety, empowerment, healing, and self-care, and that believes that every person has infinite worth and promise.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer

Under general direction of the SAFE Program Manager and the SAFE DV Coordinator, the incumbent is responsible for provision of high quality crisis counseling and advocacy interventions with patients identified as having domestic violence (DV) or sexual assault concerns. Intervenes with patients providing assistance in safety planning, danger assessment, advocacy, resource linkage, emotional support to victims of domestic and sexual abuse and assault in the GBMC community. Responsible for weekend/after hour/holiday on-call shift coverage as determined by SAFE DV Coordinator. Documents in the patient's medical record. As per need, engages in community outreach to raise awareness about domestic and sexual abuse and assault.
Education

Required: Human Service-related college degree. May substitute suitable 2 years work experience with domestic violence and sexual violence victims. Preferred: Masters in Social Work or health- related field.

Experience

Preferred: Two years experience working with victims of violence. Experience working in an acute healthcare setting.

Skills

· Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence and sexual assault dynamics, impact on health and wellness.

· Skill in using computers including documentation in electronic medical records and use of Microsoft Office Word and Excel.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills.

· Advanced skills in working effectively and sensitively with persons in crisis.

· Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively with all types of health care providers in a hospital setting; and with various types of service providers and law enforcement in the community.

· Demonstrates ability to constructively and sensitively provide feedback to providers regarding care delivery to domestic violence patients.

Licensures, Certifications

· Current MD Driver's license, automobile and proof of automobile insurance

Physical Requirements

· Must be able to pay close attention to detail during intervention work time.

· Must be able to sit, stand and walk for up to 80% of the work time.

Working Conditions

· Emergency Department and hospital unit work environment.

· Some normal office work environment, use of office equipment not limited to computers, copiers, printers, fax machines.

· Working with interdisciplinary staff up to 70% of time with varied levels of stress.

· May be exposed to communicable disease, clinical environment, unpleasant conditions and hazardous chemicals.

Conditions of Employment

See Education and Licensures, Certifications