Hospital Response Advocate- Full Time

Women Helping Women•Cincinnati, OH

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Women Helping Women (WHW) is seeking a Hospital Advocate to provide in-person crisis intervention and support services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in hospital settings. This role involves supporting survivors during forensic exams, navigating systems, and safety planning. The advocate will collaborate with medical professionals, law enforcement, and other systems while prioritizing survivor autonomy and informed choice. WHW serves survivors in Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, and Hamilton Counties and has grown into a mission-driven nonprofit with over 100 staff members since its founding in 1973. Our mission is to prevent gender-based violence and empower all survivors.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle; ability to travel between hospitals and other sites.
Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, public health, or related field; or equivalent experience (4+ years in the field).
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, databases, and email.
Active Listening: The ability to listen without judgment and understand a survivor's needs and experiences.
Empathy and Compassion: A deep capacity to understand and share the feelings of another person, especially in a time of crisis.
Crisis Intervention: The skill to provide immediate, short-term support to individuals in a state of emotional, mental, physical, or behavioral distress.
Advocacy: The ability to speak or write on behalf of a client and champion their rights and goals.
Confidentiality: A strict commitment to protecting a client's private information.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication to interact with clients, colleagues, and external partners. This includes explaining complex legal or procedural information clearly.
Cultural Competency: The awareness and sensitivity to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including different cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to help clients navigate complex and often challenging situations, such as safety planning or legal proceedings.
Record-Keeping: Meticulous attention to detail for maintaining accurate and timely client records and case notes.
Boundary Setting: The ability to maintain professional boundaries to avoid burnout and ensure a healthy working relationship with clients.
Stress Management: The resilience and coping mechanisms to handle emotionally challenging situations and prevent secondary trauma.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in crisis response or gender-based violence services.
Familiarity with the dynamics of gender-based violence and legal systems.
Fluency in a language other than English.

Responsibilities

Provide trauma-informed emotional support, advocacy, and safety planning to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking at area hospitals.
Build and maintain relationships with medical staff, law enforcement, and other community partners.
Foster a collaborative and cohesive work environment by actively engaging in agency meetings, training, and team initiatives.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation, including completion of monthly reports.
Conduct survivor follow-up contacts after hospital response to provide continued support, safety planning, and referrals.
Offer telephone, one-on-one support and accompaniment to court, or other appointments.