Hospital Responder

Position Description:

Purpose

To work directly with hospital personnel to identify and support individuals and their families impacted by gun violence.

Scope: To provide supportive services to crime victims and their family members. Hospital Responders are notified when a victim of a gunshot wound, stabbing or other assault-related injury is taken to Partnered Hospitals. A Hospital Responder is expected to report immediately to the hospital where they will stay with the victim and actively work to de-escalate traumatized and angry family members and friends who may be planning retaliatory violence. Reporting to the Outreach Supervisor and Director of Programs. the Hospital Responder will help the victim and their family at the hospital cope with their shock and their grief, while working with the 414Life team to identify and intervene with others in the neighborhood most likely to instigate retaliation. The overall goal is to keep the peace and prevent further shootings and deaths.

Primary Functions:

• Report to partner hospitals to meet with victims and their friends and family members as requested by hospital staff and/or family members
• Educate survivors and family members about the 414 LIFE program, trauma and typical responses to traumatic events and chronic stress
• Work closely with 414 LIFE staff and hospital colleagues to reduce the possibility of retaliatory violence and re-injury.
• Schedule and conduct home visits upon the release of the survivor(s) from the hospital
• Participate in regular debriefing sessions to discuss hospital protocols and opportunities to improve the quality and success of the program
• Program activities may include having a scheduled shift in the Emergency Department and/or responding "on-call"
• Encourage survivors to involve themselves in breaking the cycle of violence
• Ensure that the data regarding hospital calls and responses are kept up to date
• Complete a daily log which includes hospital activations, interruptions, de-escalations, case notes and referrals DAILY
• Provide the daily logs at weekly debriefing meetings.
• Connect survivors with on-going case-management and mentorship from a 414 LIFE Outreach Worker or Violence Interrupter to help them reduce the likelihood of violent re-injury or retaliation
• Connect survivors to other community-based programs and resources reflective of immediate or long-term needs (e.g., job programs, GED, drug treatment, and mentoring)
• Build and maintain strong relationships with other stakeholders, youth, residents, businesses, and hospital staff
• Participate in responses to shootings that take place in the target area(s) of 414 LIFE
• Maintain regular communication with Hospital Responder Supervisor and keep him/her informed of all relevant hospital activities
• Plan, attend, and help facilitate events between 414 LIFE, hospital staff and community
• Attend and participate in all mandatory staff meetings, trainings, workshops and other team meetings as required
• Attend scheduled partnership meetings
• Be available for on-call situations 24/7
• All other duties assigned, when not responding to the Hospital

Preferred Schedule:



2nd Shift; Weekends Required, On-call Shifts

Position Requirements:

Specifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted on equivalent basis

• Minimum Required Education: High School diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum Required Experience: Experience working with at-risk youth, and economically distressed communities
• Preferred Education: BS/BA - Preferably in the Counseling or Social Worker Field
• Preferred Experience: Experience in youth development, violence prevention, social work, or similar field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

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MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination


The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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