Contracted First Response Advocate

TITLE: First Response Advocate (contractual)

REPORTS TO: Director of First Response Advocacy

CLASSIFICATION: Contractual Status

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: 

Turning Point, Inc in Mount Clemens, MI is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) Turning Point, Inc empowers domestic, sexual violence and Human Trafficking survivors through comprehensive services and resources while advocating for community action to end oppression and violence. We offer emergency shelter, housing, advocacy/counseling services, forensic nurse examiner program & first response advocacy services, 24-hour hotline, personal protection order and legal advocacy services, and community outreach.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The First Response Advocate works within the Forensic Nurse and First Response Advocacy Program. Our specially trained advocates meet the immediate emotional needs of survivors and loved ones. Providing 24/7 on-call coverage for both Macomb and St. Clair County at secure and confidential sites, area hospitals or facilities. Through strength-based, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed interventions the First Response Advocate provides support to adults and children that have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner strangulation, and human trafficking.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Implement agency and program mission, vision, and anti-oppression /empowerment philosophies.
• Administer and implement agency policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintain agency policy on confidentiality, accurate record keeping and professional ethics. 
• Maintain relationships with colleagues that promote mutual respect, improvement of services, and problem solving.
• Provide 24/7 support for survivor’s immediate needs; survivor rights, impacts of trauma, safety planning, reporting options, supportive resources, referrals, and all other personal survivor needs.
• Provide advocacy support for survivors with systems or agencies including but not limited to law enforcement, medical professionals, social services, and legal systems.
• Provide medical Chaperone role as needed.
• Fulfill the minimum 48 hour on-call shifts monthly
• Fulfill two 12-hour holiday shifts per year
• Assess lethality of suicidal clients, follow appropriate action plan and agency/program policy.
• Provide information about the criminal court processes, evidence gathering, reporting, victim rights, and the Personal Protection Order (PPO) process to survivors.
• Document all advocacy and services provided on program forms completely, clearly and accurately
• Work in partnership with forensic nursing staff to ensure survivor-centered services and collaborative approach.
• Engage in professional and educational development pertaining to the role as an advocate.
• Utilize current referral list of local service agencies, referrals and resources. 
• Attend and engage mandatory Forensic Nurse and First Response Advocacy Combined monthly team meetings
• Communicate with Administrative on call lead for guidance, questions, policy, process and emergency or safety situations
• Meet all mandatory agency training requirements pertaining to contractual team members.
• Complete 8 hours of skills development through yearly advanced advocacy training. 
• Adhere by agency policies, procedures and contract guidelines. 
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the First Response Supervisor or on call admin.
• Submit Invoice monthly documenting on call services provided, meeting attendance and trainings completed by due date.

 QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Must have knowledge of survivor-centered, trauma informed, and advocacy-based interventions with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault that are rooted in empowerment and anti-oppression values.
• Possess the ability to work and communicate with diverse populations nonjudgmentally with dignity, empathy, and respect.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and oral communications skills.
• Exhibits both critical and analytical thinking, professional behaviors, empathy, and boundaries.
• Ability to work independently including overnight, weekends, and holidays.
• Must have reliable transportation, auto insurance, a valid Michigan Driver’s License, and a good driving record; must successfully pass a criminal background check.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively with a team
• Must allow for flexibility in schedule, work location and job function. 
• Ability and willingness to be available for non-scheduled emergency call-in when necessary.
• Ability to travel to Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and St Clair Counties all shifts.
• Ability to operate general office equipment (copier, scanner and electronic fax)
• Ability to utilize Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDFs and electronic submission of documents. 
• Ability to use Sling scheduling system.

COMPENSATION:

Compensation varies depending on: on-call hours, case pay, phone advocacy pay.