Advocate Specialist - Crisis Intrvention

TITLE: Crisis Intervention Advocate

FT/PT: Full time (35+ hours per week, may include some evenings and weekends)

CLASSIFICATION: Salaried Exempt

PAY GROUP: Level 16

REPORTS TO: Crisis Intervention Director

SUPERVISES: None

FUNCTION: Crisis Intervention Advocate Specialist-counselor who works specifically as a domestic abuse counselors; counselors at police departments. Experience: sexual assault intervention specialists; mental health and substance abuse counseling. Crisis intervention advocate role is to help clients in crisis who have experienced difficulties in navigating the challenges they will face in the days, weeks, and months to come. Duties include counseling one-on-one with clients, documenting their situation and progress, working with other staff at all levels involved in the case, helping procure services by working and referral to outside agencies, and more.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Using intermediate level skills, conducts comprehensive client assessment: works with more complex cases.
• Develops a written service plan with the client to meet client needs, specifying goals to be achieved and services to be pursued.
• Supplements/service plans to meet client needs.
• As appropriate, provides advocacy, case management, and supportive counseling to individuals, families, and groups in coping with environment and interpersonal relationship issues.
• Uses expanded knowledge of resources and helps clients utilize them. Works collaboratively with community resources.
• Works within contract, grant, and program requirements including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Reassess and monitor client situation and adequacy of service plan.
• Collaborates and participates with other program staff in the planning and implementation of service plans.
• Identifies systems issues and reports to Program Director as appropriate. May work with community groups and may carry a special community assignment.
• Takes increasing responsibility for own professional development, utilizing supervision and other developmental opportunities within and outside the agency to enhance skills and understanding.
• Up to 10% other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service populations.
• Develops the knowledge and skills needed to address the complexities of ANE and collaborate with community resources to reduce risk.
• Works with supervisor/s, other staff members, support staff to meet the day to day needs and goals of the program.
• Handles emergency and crisis situations within target population which may include appropriate use of financial assistance and engagement of first responders.
• Provides community outreach activities to raise awareness of agency programs.

MARGINAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide critical resources and support to individuals in crisis.
• Collect data and use it to make informed decisions regarding individual populations.
• Assessing patients to determine their needs
• Provide crisis management services during the acute stage, then tapering off as the individual, as a result of counseling, learns coping mechanisms and regains control of their life
• Follow up as required
• Maintain communication with family members, medical providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Handle time-sensitive calls and email, even during off hours
• Maintain confidential data; including medical and financial etc.
• Organize patient data and maintain files
• Communicate both orally and in written form, with other members of a team to improve program efficiency or overall crisis intervention success
• Disseminate information to others need it inside or outside of the agency
• Add to the overall disclosure in the field with research, reports, publications and more
• Conduct briefings and workshops
• Research and/or gather resources to directly assist clients
• Assist in other programs both inter-agency as well as inter-program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• A Master’s Degree in social service or related field with one (1) year of applicable experience.
• Will consider a Bachelor Degree with two (2) or more year’s applicable experience.
• One year of case management experience in a social service or healthcare setting required.
• Must have 40-hour domestic violence training (within 3 months of hire date).
• Must be Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (within 1 year of hire date).
• Must be CPR/first aid certified (within 6 months of hire).