SACET Victim Advocate (Knoxville)

Read on to find out what you will need to succeed in this position, including skills, qualifications, and experience.

Help Others, Make a Difference, Save a Life.

Do you want to make a difference in people's lives every day?
Or help people navigate the tough spots in their life?
And do it all while working where your hard work is appreciated?

You have a lot of choices in where you work…make the decision to work where you are valued!

Join the McNabb Center Team as the SACET Victim Advocate today!

The SACET Victim Advocate

Duties

• Answering crisis line and providing information and intervention over the phone.
• Responding to the hospital or SACET to provide accompaniment for SANE exams.
• Completes documentation related to calls and client interactions.
• Maintains a caseload of clients to provide ongoing support, resources, and advocacy.
• On-call duties as listed above in the Schedule

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

Summary of role of team

• Victim Advocates work in a team of four day-time staff members that are responsible for overseeing the coverage of the crisis line, responding to immediate needs for hospital accompaniment, client care, and walk-in services.
• The team works with the Services Coordinator on assignments, case coordination, and supervision.
• The advocates also work in conjunction with SANEs, therapists, and after-hours PRN advocates to coordinate client care.

Summary of position

• Sexual Assault Victim Advocates are responsible for providing case management and crisis intervention services, which include victim accompaniment during forensic evaluations, interviews, and legal proceedings; filing of Victims' Compensation paperwork, referral-related activities to link clients with needed services, and assisting clients through the criminal and/or civil justice process.
• Provides follow-up to ensure treatment.
• Answers the 24/7 crisis line and provides crisis counseling.
• Coordinates closely with the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) department, law enforcement, the district attorney's office, hospital personnel, and other agencies.
• Completes all necessary documentation in accordance with funding guidelines and policy and procedures.
• Participates in the weekend on-call rotation.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

• This position typically operates in the Knoxville based office with some travel to outer counties to meet with and assist clients.
• Some advocates may be expected to spend one day a week in an outer county office to provide direct services on a regular basis.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; and employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. Moreover, management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, or working schedules based on their duty to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

1. Provides 40 hours per week of advocacy services for sexual assault survivors
2. Provides direct coverage for 40 hours each week.
3. Answers the crisis line during business hours.
4. Accompanies SANEs to 100% of appropriate hospital requests within a one-hour timeframe of the request.
5. Flexibility to work after business hours in order to meet client needs.
6. Accurately documents time and mileage.
7. Fills in after-hours shifts when requested by Services Coordinator.

1. Works within a multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors
2. Attends weekly treatment team meetings without tardiness
3. Participates in bi-weekly supervision with Services Coordinator.
4. Responds to all emails and voicemails within 2 business days.
5. Attends all other staff meetings and trainings as required
6. Demonstrates and maintains a positive working relationship with team members, including other advocates, SANEs, law enforcement, hospital staff, and other community service providers
7. Demonstrates a consideration and concern for fellow workers and their jobs and promotes harmonious relationships and attitudes.

1. Engages clients in services and offers full education of options while providing goal planning, linkage, referral, and advocacy.
2. Reviews intake and attempts a follow-up within 72 hours of client intake.
3. Attempts to set initial face-to-face meeting with client within two weeks to develop mutual goals related to client's sexual assault or other case management needs.
4. Assists clients in accomplishing goal plan through education of the criminal justice process, the civil justice process, facilitation with law enforcement and the district attorney's office, and referrals to and coordination with other appropriate community supports, agencies, or services.
5. Accompanies clients to appointments, meetings, or court proceedings as it relates to goal plan and at client's request.
6. Follows-up with clients on a mutually agreed upon schedule.

1. Completes all documentation in compliance with center policies.
2. Enters notes in VELA within 48 hours of contact.
3. Keeps releases up to date and ensures validity.

COMPENSATION:

• Starting salary for this position is approximately $18.29 /hr based on relevant experience and education.

Schedule:

• Office hours are from 8:30am-5pm.
• Position requires timely, in person attendance on a daily basis.
• After-hours work may be required to facilitate client needs.
• Participation in the SACET on-call weekend rotation will be required in this position.
• The on-call rotation duties include, but are not limited to, responding to the SACET crisis hotline and accompanying the SANE department and clients during forensic exams.
• Weekend on-call hours begin Friday at 5:00 P.M. and end Monday morning at 12:00 A.M.
• Given the circumstances of the situation(s) on call, the SACET Services Coordinator may allow adjustments to be made to the Advocates schedule the following week.

Travel

• Travel is required throughout Knox and 12 surrounding counties in various community settings, hospitals, and McNabb offices.
• You may be asked to transport clients in your personal vehicle.
• An F endorsement is required for this position.

Equipment/Technical Competency

• Daily computer competency required.
• Must be able to use Word and Excel programming proficiently.
• Typing and basic computer knowledge is required.
• Must be able to use a scanner/printer and have professional phone etiquette.

Equipment/Technology:

• Daily computer and phone use are essential functions for this role.

QUALIFICATIONS - SACET Victim Advocate

Experience / Knowledge:

• Bachelor's degree preferred with experience/knowledge/front line service delivery in sexual assault, behavioral health, and/or victim services.

Education / License

• Bachelor's degree required, preference for health-related field of counseling, psychology, social work, sociology, or a behavioral science field with course work or experience in the areas of cultural diversity, human development, etiology and treatment of mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, physical and sexual abuse, suicide, crisis intervention, and developmental disabilities.
• This position requires a valid driver's license and will be required to obtain an F Endorsement upon hire to be available to transport clients as needed.
• This position requires utilizing a personal, dependable vehicle to conduct Center business.
• Maintaining a dependable vehicle and certified driver status is a condition of employment.

Physical/Emotional/Social -Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to present professionally and work within a team format to provide trauma-informed services to survivors of sexual violence.
• Ability to work within a team format to meet goals for clients and interface with other agencies involved in the process.
• Must be able to exercise sound judgment and effective decision-making under pressure, maintain self-awareness of personal emotions and manage appropriately, ability to set and demonstrate appropriate boundaries, ability to be an empathic listener, flexibility, willingness, and adaptability to working with diverse populations. Must also communicate effectively and possess good time management and organizational skills.
• Must be capable of assisting in utilizing nonviolent methods of crisis intervention including therapeutic holding.
• Required certification, provided upon hire, in implementing verbal and physical de-escalation techniques that include a wide range of bodily movements including but not limited to grasping, holding another person, running, and walking.
• Physical de-escalation techniques will only be implemented at Helen Ross McNabb Center facilities, and not in community settings.
• First Aid/CPR certification also required and provided through the Center.
• Exposure to biological hazards.
• Hearing of normal and soft tones.
• Close eye work; lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Pushing/pulling up to 150 lbs.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching. xhyhwjd
• Valid driver's license.

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