Hospital Accompaniment Program (HAP) Advocate

HopeWorks of Howard County Inc•Columbia, MD

12d•$3 - $3•Onsite

About The Position

Hospital Accompaniment Program (HAP) Advocates provide comfort, support, and advocacy to survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, MD. HAP Advocates are responsible for responding to the hospital within 30 minutes of receiving a dispatch from our 24/7 hotline. HAP Advocates receive a stipend for each completed in-person response, and a small hourly rate for on-call time. The successful candidate will have an understanding of the root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence and a commitment to social justice. They will also be able to engage in an anti-oppression and anti-racist lens when working with clients and survivors of gender-based violence.

Requirements

Be at least 21 years of age
Submit to a background check
Meet medical requirements
Current driver’s license and reliable transportation with up-to-date insurance
Availability to consistently provide 20-28 hours of on-call coverage per week
Able to respond to the hospital within 30 minutes of receiving a call out
Passionate about the mission and philosophy of HopeWorks
Ability to complete in-person hospital accompaniment with minimal supervision
Experience, ability, and willingness to work as a team with diversified staff
Successfully complete all required training
Ability to implement a strengths-based approach to providing trauma-informed, client centered services
Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner as well as skillfully gathers and analyzes information.
Communication: Oral and Written: Effectively transfers thoughts and expresses ideas orally or in writing in individual or group situations. Speaks comfortably with a diverse array of individuals and groups.
Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; and makes timely decisions.
Crisis Intervention: Responds appropriately to a client in crisis. Uses a variety of methods to offer short term, immediate help to individuals who have experienced an event that produces mental, physical, emotional or behavioral distress.
Crisis Management: Makes sound and timely decisions under pressure. Recognizes what is most suitable in particular situation. Effectively makes decisions in non-standard situations. Exhibits independence, decisiveness, and responsibility. Clearly and persuasively communicates decisions and orders to avert crises.
Planning and Organization: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; and develops realistic action plans.
Professionalism: Thinks carefully about the likely effects on others of one's words, actions, appearance, and mode of behavior. Selects the words or actions most likely to have the desired effect on the individual or group in question.
Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.
Diversity: Supports and promotes an environment that appreciates and holds opportunities for all, regardless of race, religion, nation of origin, culture, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, weight, health status, age or other diversity factors.

Nice To Haves

Previous professional experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or human trafficking OR a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, criminal justice, gender and women studies, or a related field
Prior experience working with victims of sexual and intimate partner violence and/or background in counseling, advocacy (preferred but not required)
Oral and written fluency in a second language (preferred but not required)

Responsibilities

Provide comfort and support to survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence
Inform survivors of services and options available
Work with survivors to develop safety plans and make referrals to other departments at HopeWorks and other resources in the community
Assist hospital staff as needed
Report to Howard County General Hospital within 30 minutes of call
Complete and return Hospital Accompaniment logs within 24 hours
Ability to drive the agency vehicle to provide transportation to clients when needed
Maintain regular communication with the Director of Advocacy about cases, trainings attended and availability
Attend Hospital Advocate meetings and trainings as needed
Maintain confidentiality and abide by HopeWorks’ boundary and confidentiality policies
Assist with Hotline coverage as needed
Accurately complete client paperwork and compile reports as needed
Input data into SharePoint/One Drive and ETO
Assist the Director of Advocacy Services with development of evidence-based programming related to health, wellness, and self-sufficiency
Maintain an up-to-date resource directory to easily provide client referrals
Document and communicate all pertinent information or client issues to the pertinent HopeWorks team
Attend All-Staff meetings and all other meetings as directed by the Deputy Director for Services and Director of Residential Services
Participate in regular one-on-one supervision with the Director of Advocacy Services to promote the provision of quality services
Other duties as assigned