Medical Advocate - Stroger Hospital Office

BACKGROUND Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group counseling, and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. RVA provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault.

RESPONSIBILITIES The Stroger Medical Advocate, based at the Fantus Health Center in the medical district, is the primary medical advocate at Rape Victim Advocates and is responsible for providing non-judgmental crisis intervention, emotional support, information regarding the victim's rights, options regarding follow-up services, and appropriate referrals/linkages to sexual violence survivors and their significant others through the emergency department of partner hospitals, telephone crisis calls, and walk-in requests. The Stroger Medical Advocate also provides follow-up medical advocacy services, including corresponding with the victim/survivor or medical personnel regarding specific concerns about the victim/survivor's case and assisting with accessing pregnancy-related options. Responsibilities also include providing institutional advocacy and professional training to the Cook County Health and Hospitals System and other medical institutions.

The Stroger Medical Advocate is part of the staff on-call rotation providing 24-hour crisis response to partner hospitals, and is an essential part of the Advocacy Services Program.

The Stroger Medical Advocate is a full-time, salaried, exempt position and reports to the Director of Advocacy Services.

Qualifications (required):

• BA/BS or equivalent in related field
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to objectively advocate for the needs/rights of others
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong public speaking skills with a variety of audiences
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, as well as with a team
• Exceptional organizational and record-keeping skills
• Positive attitude and pro-active approach to problem solving
• Regular access to a vehicle, valid driver's license and proof of insurance for effective service delivery
• Completion of the state-mandated 40 hours of sexual assault training required within 2 months of hire

The following qualifications are preferred:

• Bilingual (Written and verbal fluency) in Spanish/English preferred; Bicultural strongly preferred
• Previous experience in health care setting preferred
• Previous experience working on women's and/or human rights issues, addressing sexual violence/gender-based violence, and working with diverse populations including LGBTQ communities strongly preferred
• Previous completion of the state-mandated 40 hours of sexual assault training is strongly preferred

Persons of color and LGBTQ persons are encouraged to apply. RVA is an equal opportunity employer