Job Location Louisville Campus - Louisville, KY 40203 Position Type Full Time Education Level Bachelor's degree or Experience
The Crisis Response Advocate, Hospital-Based provides immediate, trauma-informed crisis intervention and advocacy to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault in hospital and medical settings. This role focuses on in-person response to adult and pediatric hospital calls, offering emotional support, safety planning, information, and advocacy during forensic exams, medical treatment, and initial decision-making.
The Advocate works collaboratively with medical staff, law enforcement when applicable, and internal crisis response teams while maintaining a survivor-centered, confidential, and nonjudgmental approach.
Respond in person to adult and pediatric hospital calls to support survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
Provide immediate emotional support, grounding techniques, and trauma-informed presence during medical exams and treatment.
Explain options related to reporting, forensic exams, protective orders, and available services without pressure or coercion.
Support survivors through Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exams when applicable, ensuring informed consent and survivor autonomy.
Assist survivors in identifying immediate safety concerns and developing short-term safety plans.
Serve as a liaison between survivors and medical personnel to help clarify needs, requests, and next steps.
Provide information and referrals related to shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, transportation, and follow-up services.
Coordinate with internal programs and community partners to ensure continuity of care after hospital discharge.
Support survivors in navigating complex systems while reinforcing choice, dignity, and self-determination.
Complete accurate, timely documentation of hospital responses and client interactions in required databases.
Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with agency policy, HIPAA considerations, and funding requirements.
Follow mandated reporting requirements and crisis response protocols as applicable.
Communicate effectively with on-call staff, supervisors, and crisis response teams regarding hospital activity and follow-up needs.
Participate in supervision, required meetings, and ongoing training.
Maintain readiness for on-call response, including adherence to response time expectations.
Engage in debriefing and self-care practices following high-impact cases.
Skill Requirements
Strong trauma-informed crisis intervention skills.
Ability to provide calm, steady support in medical and high-stress environments.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly with individuals experiencing acute trauma.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professional boundaries.
Strong organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to work independently while remaining connected to a team-based response model.
Basic computer and technology proficiency.
Experience & Education Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.
Prior experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, or trauma strongly preferred.
Experience in hospital, medical, crisis response, or emergency settings is highly desirable.
Fluency in languages other than English is a plus.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet agency insurance requirements if operating a company vehicle.
Ability to work evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays as required by on-call schedules.
Successful completion of background check and required crisis response training.
Essential Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout hospital environments for extended periods.
Ability to remain alert, emotionally regulated, and responsive during crisis situations.
Occasional lifting or transporting of materials as needed.
Capacity to work in high-stress environments while maintaining professionalism and self-care practices.
The Center for Women and Families provides free services to all people who have experienced intimate partner violence and sexual assault. We help our clients and their dependent children become survivors through trauma-informed advocacy. Our goal is to mitigate the impact of their trauma by reducing their risk factors and building their resiliency. We serve anyone in Jefferson, Bullitt, Spencer, Shelby, Oldham, Henry, and Trimble counties in Kentucky and Floyd and Clark counties in Indiana.
The work is rewarding! When you choose to work at The Center for Women and Families you choose to join a team that is making a difference in the lives of a vulnerable population every day. We are an agency of warm, caring, and empathetic individuals driven by our desire to help others.
We have advocates who answer our 24/7 crisis line, and we have advocates who assist clients and their children living in our 79-bed emergency shelter. We also have advocates who go to area hospital emergency rooms and courtrooms to provide services to our clients.
Anyone in need of our assistance can either call our 24/7 crisis line at 502-581-7222 or 812-944-6743 or walk-in to our Louisville location at 927 S. 2nd Street or our Southern Indiana location at 1301 Akers Ave in Jeffersonville (located behind Clark Memorial Hospital).
