Bellevue Job Opening - Children’s Sexual Assault Advocate

SOCIAL WORKER 1 - VICTIM ADVOCATE (50% FTE)
Req #: 59821
Department: HMC CHILDREN’S RESPONSE CENTER
Appointing Department Web Address: www.ChildrensResponseCenter.org
Job Location: Other Locations
Job Location Detail: Bellevue, Washington
Posting Date: 12/08/2009
Closing Info: Closes On 12/15/2009
Salary: 50% of $3916-$5775 per month
Union Position: Yes
This classification is governed by a negotiated labor contract and is subject to union shop provisions. For more information about union shop provisions, visit Union Information
Notes: This is a part-time, 50% FTE position. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.

As the region’s only Level I Trauma center, Harborview Medical Center (HMC) is well known for innovations and excellence in trauma care and its centers of emphasis: Trauma, Burn, Neurosciences, AIDS/STD, Center for Advanced Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (CARER), and mentally-and medically- vulnerable populations. In addition to the centers of emphasis, HMC serves a mission population for King County. Harborview employees are committed to the vital role the institution plays in the immediate community, as well as the entire Northwest region. HMC is owned by King County and managed by the University of Washington (UW) and serves as a training site for UW’s School of Medicine. The UW is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

Harborview Medical Center received the prestigious 2007 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service, one of the most esteemed honors of excellence in community service in healthcare.

The Children’s Response Center has an outstanding opportunity for a Social Worker 1 - Victim Advocate. Under the direction of the Associate Director Health Services or Social Worker II as assigned, perform a variety of duties in the following areas. Duties will be structured depending on qualifications:

Legal Advocacy
Perform a variety of tasks designed to assist clients/families residing in the program’s service area who are involved in the legal system to ensure their interests and rights are represented.
Follow the program’s legal advocacy protocol in determining clients to be served and services to be offered. Make recommendations for protocol enhancement and improvement as appropriate.
Work cooperatively and proactively with the program social work staff to ensure that all clients in need of legal advocacy services receive them.
Outreach to and network with law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor’s office to communicate the program’s legal advocacy services and coordinate cases as appropriate.
Attend King County Special Assault Network meetings. Coordinate with other system personnel including Community Sexual Assault Programs (CSAPs) to meet needs of client families and improve the system response.
Develop and maintain appropriate legal advocacy materials, handouts, flyers, etc. that will assist clients/families in their involvement with the legal system.
Document client contacts per program procedure and keep accurate accountability information concerning services provided. Ensure this information is filed appropriately when client terminates from the program.

Medical Advocacy
Per established protocol, arrange for medical services and appointments as needed for program clients in collaboration with Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress (HCSATS). Follow-up with client families as appropriate.

Client Intake:
As needed, performs intake screening / information and referral and crisis services by phone and occasionally in-person. Respond to requests from a variety of constituents including clients/consumers and other professionals.
Assess client needs for in-person appointments and coordinate all initial communication and follow-up information to ensure timely services and smooth entry into the program.
Document all calls on established program intake forms in concise and legible manner.
Send appointment confirmation information and additional literature as appropriate to client.
Log all intake calls per established protocol and participates in program data collection practices as needed.

Crisis Intervention:
Meet with client families for short-term crisis intervention services to offer support and help determine further action including appropriateness for referral to clinical staff for assessment/therapy.

Prevention & Education:
In collaboration with the program’s Prevention/Education Coordinator, provide CSAP defined services to the community as needed. Duties may include presentations to community groups and professionals on issues related to sexual assault and the program’s services.

Other:
Attend and actively participate in program staff, consultation and other meetings as appropriate.
Participate in departmental and program Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance activities as directed.
Attend professional workshops and conferences relevant to the agency’s mission as approved by the supervisor.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:
A Master of Social Work Degree from a program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education AND six months of experience in a health care delivery system OR equivalent education/experience. Health care experience can include a practicum placement as part of a social work training program and/or employment experience.

Legal Requirement - Registration as a Counselor, Social Work Associate Advanced or Independent Clinical, or Agency Affiliated Counselor by the State of Washington within 90 days of employment.

Must be eligible for credentialing through the Harborview Medical Center Administrative Credentialing Committee for Allied Health Practitioners.

Desired:
Prior experience in the field of child maltreatment including sexual assault and with victims of crime. Knowledge of criminal justice system. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and organizational skills. Experience in working with diverse populations. Able and willing to travel and provide services. Flexibility to be able to perform requirements of job some evening/weekend hours as needed.

To apply, please visit the University of Washington employment page and search for ref#59821 or click HERE for a direct link to the job posting