Sexual Assault Advocate Per Diem chez Suncoast Center

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; in social services related field.   One year of full-time employment or volunteer experience equaling 1 year of full-time work working in direct client services with a focus on gender-based violence required.

 Licensure: None Required

 Experience/Skills: 

• Knowledge of dynamics of trauma and impact of violence especially domestic and sexual violence
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative community relationships
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Computer and technical skills sufficient to perform responsibilities and train others
• Demonstrates an appreciation of and ability to connect with diverse populations
• Demonstrates emotional maturity and ability to be an effective team member for multiple organizations
• Ability to work flexible hours and some evenings
• Commitment to ethical standards and excellence

Must be 21 years of age.

Negative Drug Screening prior to hire and throughout employment.

Clear Criminal Background Check throughout employment with Suncoast Center and local checks prior to hire and annually along with DCF Level II prior to hire and as required by DCF, and Must have valid Florida Driver’s License Motor Vehicle checks prior to hire and annually with acceptable driving record maintained throughout employment along with reliable vehicle, valid registration, and valid vehicle insurance. (must be in compliance with Florida Laws and Administrative Codes with fingerprinting and determined to be of good moral character).

Working Conditions/Physical Attributes: Must have valid Florida driver's license, proof of personal automobile insurance and a driving record that is acceptable to Suncoast Center.  Community locations such as, but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, county jail, county health departments.  Schedule is on-call.  

• ability to access and move freely throughout exam room, 
• ability to lift 10 lbs overhead, 
• ability to carry 25 lbs, 
• ability to walk approximately 150 yards 
• ability to sit or stand during the duration of exam, 2-4 hours
• ability to sit in front of computer screen for compile reports 

Computer Literate: Computer and technical skills sufficient to perform responsibilities and train others.

Job Duties: 

To ensure organizational excellence, the incumbent advocates on behalf of victims/survivors of sexual violence crimes through crisis intervention and support at community locations that serve underserved populations. Provides in-person crisis counseling, and information to promote recovery and healing to underserved victims of sexual violence.

• Provide crisis intervention, individual crisis counseling, advocacy, support, information and referrals  to underserved populations of primary and secondary survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment;
• Participate in structured outreach efforts, including scheduling walk-in hours at the courthouse, the jail and community partners that serve survivors who speak languages other than English;
• Provide crisis intervention by fielding crisis calls and attending SAVE exams;
• Participate in 24 hour on call rotation to respond on site or in a community setting to advocate for clients during the examination;
• Participate actively in advocacy for and supporting clients by offering comfort during the exam process;
• Complete all necessary SAVE paperwork; 
• Attend and actively participate in all staff development and quality assurance meetings to obtain up to date information on status of program and protocols, as well as obtaining training information relevant to position.  Participate in training, orientation, and assessment of new staff as requested;
• Participate in the agency and program's visionary goals by communicating with Sexual Assault Services Manager regarding vision of what the program can become.  Provide written and oral communication to the Sexual Assault Services Manager regarding current program vision, and status of the program, through open communication;
• Maintain good working relationships with professionals in the community by maintaining professionalism at all times.  Establish and maintain good working relationships with Suncoast, Inc. employees to further an atmosphere based in teamwork;
• Maintain excellent professional conduct including but not limited to personal responsibility, ethical behavior, and treating individuals with dignity and respect.   Adhere to all Suncoast Centers, Inc. policies including:  Ethics, Supervision, Confidentiality, Safety, and Information and Security policies;
• Attend annual HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) training, will read and follow the Suncoast Center, Inc. Program Procedures Manual regarding protected health information, and will adhere to all HIPAA requirements;
• Complete ACT Trained Advocate training (30 hour Florida Council Against Sexual Violence Advocacy Core Training);
• Complete annual ACT recertification training (8 hours);
• If pre-approved by Sexual Assault Services Manager, incumbent may co-facilitate and prepare materials for sexual trauma support groups;
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• The ability to function and operate as a team player, showing dignity and respect for all.
• The ability to comply with all equal employment opportunity and ethical standards and regulations.
• The ability to take direction in a respectful and productive manner from supervisors and managers.
• The ability to work, as scheduled, in a timely fashion, and with an attitude oriented to service.
• The ability to have cordial and professional relationships both within the organization and with vendors, clients and third parties.
• If appropriate, the ability to produce all appropriate paperwork and reports consistent with contractual, state or federal standard, and to prepare and submit such paperwork on a timely basis.
• The ability to understand and comply with Suncoast Center, Inc. policies and procedures.
• The ability to render compassionate care and equal commitment to serve clients in need of healthcare assistance.