POSITION SUMMARY:

The Survivor Advocate Community Health Worker (CHW) will provide outreach, counseling, navigational, and case management services to patients who are victims and survivors of human trafficking and/or intimate partner violence. Services provided by the CHW will utilize the trauma informed approach and will be respectful of the patient's experiences and values. The CHW will provide supportive services to survivors of human trafficking and will respond to potential survivors in multiple settings to provide information on CMC services including substance use and/or mental health services. The CHW will build relationships with victims identified in the healthcare setting, as well as victims identified in other settings or from other referral sources. This position will be co-located at the Family Justice Center and will require field work and travel throughout San Joaquin County to provide services to trafficking survivors in the San Joaquin region.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be a survivor of human trafficking
• High School Diploma, GED or higher degree
• Substance Abuse Counselor certification highly preferred
• BSW or BA is social work preferred but not required
• Two (2) years of verifiable experience providing information, education, intervention and/or referral services to culturally diverse victim populations and/or providing client-centered services.
• Experience with client assessment, treatment planning, conducting interviews/investigations, advising/counseling clients, and participating in health promotion and health education activities.
• Ability to work in various environments, including court environments, shelters, street outreach, home visits, patient's residence, and homeless encampment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is not required but preferred
• Valid California driver's license, proof of auto insurance, and personal transportation

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Respond in-person to potential survivors of human trafficking in health center settings, at the FJC, and other community-based or law enforcement settings
• Engage survivors and provide crisis intervention
• Share personal life stories as it pertains to supporting other survivors with their paths to recovery
• Provide support and resources for potential survivors of human trafficking
• Provide follow-up calls an in-person meetings for potential survivors to engage and connect survivors to desired resources and services
• Provides support, empowerment, education, and case management services to victims/survivors of human trafficking with co-morbid substance use and mental illness individually and in a group setting.
• Recruits patients by conducting outreach activities in the community.
• Conducts periodic assessments of patient's substance use, physical activity, dietary habits, cigarette smoking habits, and social and economic resources.
• Educates clients with chronic illness about evidence-based standards of care and self-management of their chronic illness.
• Educates patients about the health care system and facilitates relationship building between the two.
• Documents work with patients through appropriate record keeping that follows the project's policies and procedures.
• Process referrals for needed services and facilitates access to community resources.
• Participates regularly in program meetings.
• Attends ongoing training for community health workers.
• Advises patients and others regarding health care and other facilities available to them; assists patients in utilizing services; makes follow-up contacts when required.
• Serves as liaison between the professional staff and the community; including developing relationships with various stakeholders in the survivors of violence community.
• Assist in gathering and evaluating data concerning the program to which assigned; may perform incidental clerical duties such as keeping records, answering the telephone and arranging client appointments.
• May transport ambulatory patients between their homes and clinics, hospitals or other social agencies; may transport staff members to meetings with administration approval; report malfunctions of the vehicle to supervisor.
• All services shall be performed using the trauma informed approach being respectful of patient's experiences and values.
• Perform other tasks as assigned

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of routine office practices
• Knowledge of community resources and referral agencies
• Knowledge of computer systems and applications
• Knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation to compile and type reports
• Sincere commitment to working independently and responsible. Must be a self-starter, able to work in a team environment, and manage time effectively.
• Knowledge of instructional skills and educational techniques to influence and guide participants
• Appreciation of sensitive confidentiality issues with demonstrated commitment to strengths-based, client centered practice
• Willingness and ability to learn about the complex issues of human trafficking and modern day slavery and to abide by the mission, philosophy, and values of CMC
• Knowledge of group dynamics

• Skill in interviewing and communicating to elicit information and cooperation from patients
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, staff, and the public
• Skill in public speaking
• Skill in facilitating support groups
• Ability to communicate information on sensitive issues including sexual activities and drug related practices
• Ability to identify problems, provide information, and recommend solutions
• Ability to prepare routine records and reports using terminology common to outreach programs
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply appropriate written guidelines and work practices
• Ability to work flexible job hours (including some evenings and weekends).
• Ability to work in various environments, including prison/jail settings, street
• Excellent organization, follow through, and ability to juggle multiple priorities in fast- paced environment with multiple collaborators.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Require sitting for long periods of time. May require occasional bending, stretching or lifting. Requires frequent walking and standing for prolonged periods of time. Lifts and carries items weighing in excess of 50 pounds. Vision must be correctable to 20/40 and hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contacts. May require contact with individuals with communicable diseases. Requires the ability to work under stressful conditions. Ability to prepare written reports. Requires ability to drive to outreach areas for presentations and other activities.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Normal office environment and occasionally work performed outside where exposure to rain, heat, dust, wind, pesticides, pollens, and other weather demands common to a labor camp, park, community center or health fair. Exposure to individuals who are violent, abusive and/or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.