Victim/Medical Advocate, Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Posted by Congreso de Latinos Unidos on March 20, 2017

The Crime Victims Assistance Program will utilize a three-tiered, comprehensive approach to supporting crime victims in the East Division in Philadelphia from crisis to stability via trauma informed, client centered advocacy, crisis counseling, and ongoing case management.

The Victim/Medical Advocate is responsible for providing crisis counseling, case management, and advocacy to crime victims in the East Division (24th, 25th, 26th police districts). The Victim/Medical Advocate will provide intake and conduct follow-up as specified in the individual client service plan, and as needed by client. This position will maintain a physical presence at area hospitals and community health centers to support crime victims who have experienced an injury as a result of their victimization. This position will serve as a resource for the client, other Congreso and hospital/health center staff and social services agencies. The responsibilities of the Victim/Medical Advocate will be conducted at Congreso’s main office, area hospitals and health centers, client’s homes and in various locations in the community.

The Victim/Medical Advocate will have internal contacts with the entire administrative staff and external contact with clients, community resources, and the community. This position has access to sensitive Congreso information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism. This position has regular contact with members of the community and is expected to represent Congreso in a professional manner.

The Victim/Medical Advocate will report directly to the Manager of Victim Services and participate in department activities as necessary.

Essential Program Functions
1. Provide on-site counseling, referrals, advocacy, and educational services at Congreso’s main office, area hospitals and health centers, at client’s homes and in the community
2. Provide resource information to clients, other Congreso and hospital/health center staff and social services agencies.
3. Provide on-going crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and resources to a specific number of clients as determined by the agency and funding source.
4. Conduct an initial client intake, which includes: an agreement to services, a needs assessment, and the mutual development of a service plan.
5. Conduct client follow-up as specified in the individual client service plan, and as needed by client.
6. Comply with all client confidentiality regulations as specified by agency, funding source, local, state and federal regulations.
7. Maintain accurate and up to date client files and documentation.
8. Provide presentations to community members to help victims of crime and their families to identify their own victimization and learn about and access available services in the community.
9. Engages in professional communication with community partners, law enforcement, social service providers, and court personnel as needed for client coordination of care.
10. Conduct community awareness and outreach events to increase visibility of crime,
11. Engages in regular professional development as it relates to service victims of crime.
12. Serves as a liaison between North Philadelphia victim/witness service providers and the assigned hospitals or community health centers

Non-Essential Functions
1. Attends relevant workshops and/or join professional groups as necessary to maintain professional knowledge.
2. Adheres to the Congreso’s security guidelines and ensures the appropriate handling of sensitive information.
3. Facilitates and attends relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.
4. Completes special projects specific to the function of the department or as needed for the Department as directed by Supervisor.
5. Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Career Pathway: Direct Services)
All Staff Competencies
 Basic understanding of Congreso’s mission, vision, values, programs and services, and business plan.
 Knowledge and understanding of the targeted community needs and demographics.
 Understanding of legal criteria for issues such as confidentiality, domestic abuse, child abuse, and mandated reporter requirements.
 Ability to provide nonviolent intervention with a high level of ethical standards of conduct, cultural sensitivity and within appropriate boundaries and limits.
 Ability to effectively use standard office equipment.
 Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.
 Ability to operate a computer and use a variety of common software programs including Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, UNIDAD, and customized databases.
 Adheres to all Congreso and departmental policies and procedures.
 Attends all Congreso in-services as required.
 Strong written and verbal communication skills and effectively communicate with individuals and groups.
 Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Direct Services Staff Competencies
 Knowledge of legal and political issues, and community resources and benefits that impact and/or benefit the targeted client needs.
 Knowledge of basic client management procedures (PCM Model) for determining eligibility, assessing needs, identifying resources, making referrals, following up, and documenting client interactions and proactively supporting client’s pursuit of education and employment goals throughout the agency without regard to program service.
 Demonstrates understanding and knowledge of the Latino culture and availability of North Philadelphia community resources.
 Ability to effectively interview and engage a client in appropriate programming.
 Ability to exercise conversational English and Spanish.
 Ability to effectively conduct one on one advocacy and/or educational presentations.
 Ability to work in a team structure – demonstrating ability to collaborate and contribute to the team’s work.

Experience, Education, and Licensure

• Minimum Experience: 1-3 years’ experience providing supportive counseling, information and referrals to victims of crime. Knowledge of North Philadelphia community. Bilingual (Spanish/English) required.
• Minimum Education and Certificates: Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, or other related field. Suitable combination of education and two to three years direct counseling experience in related field may be considered in lieu of Bachelor’s degree requirement.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell.
2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
3. Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools.
4. Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
2. Although work is primarily indoors, you will be required to travel outside to court and community locations.
3. Position requires occasional trips to attend conferences seminars, and meetings.
4. Certain visits or work related appointments might be scheduled outside of traditional work hours as necessary.
Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To Apply
To apply for this position please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements here. For more information about Congreso and other career opportunities please go to http://www.congreso.net.

EEOC
Congreso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Congreso is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants for employment. All employment decisions at Congreso are made without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability or military/veteran status, or any other protected class as set forth under applicable State, Local and Federal Civil Rights Laws.

About Congreso
Congreso is a multi-service nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen Latino communities through social, economic, education, and health services; leadership development and advocacy. Founded in Philadelphia in 1977, Congreso has grown into a national thought leader on nonprofit performance management with an expert focus on the Latino community. Congreso is anchored by its innovative Primary Client Model (PCM™), and provides direct services to residents of the Philadelphia region while providing consult to other nonprofits and government systems nationally.