Intervention Specialist

Advocate Health Care; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care seeks a Trauma Recovery Services representative to support trauma survivors within the Advocate Health system. You will engage with patients post-trauma, bridging the clinical team and community resources, and provide outreach, advocacy, and psychoeducation.

You will liaise with hospital teams and violence prevention partners to coordinate wraparound services for patients and families, while delivering trauma-informed support in hospital and community settings.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year experience in social services.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed emotional support, advocacy, and resources to hospitalized patients.
• Assist discharge planning and connect patients to outpatient care.
• Respond to trauma alerts and coordinate with outreach teams.
• Schedule appointments with TRC and community partners for ongoing care.
• Maintain patient records and action plans.
• Collaborate with hospital and community partners for comprehensive care.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Collaboration

Microsoft Office

Organization

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Collaborates within the Advocate Health system as a representative of the Advocate Trauma Recovery Services team to support our trauma survivors. This role involves engaging with patients who have recently experienced intentional trauma, serving as a vital link between the patient, trauma medical team, TRC, and community resources. As first responders at assigned Advocate Health Hospitals, they will provide acute intervention, outreach/advocacy, and emotional support to patients affected by intentional trauma (e.g., shootings, stabbings, assaults, domestic violence). They screen patients for trauma-related and social service needs, and connect them to community resources to reduce the risk of re-injury. These teammates conduct extensive patient outreach to ensure connections to appropriate services, deliver trauma-informed psychoeducation, and offer informal emotional support in both hospital and community settings. Additionally, they act as community liaisons and patient advocates, partnering with violence prevention organizations to gather information about incidents, mitigate retaliation, and coordinate wraparound services for patients and their families.

Major Responsibilities

• Patient Support: Provides immediate trauma-informed emotional support, advocacy, and resources to hospitalized patients following trauma, including connecting them with the clinical team when appropriate, assisting with discharge planning, leading support and psychoeducation groups, and safety planning. Also, complete assessments and facilitate warm hand‑offs to outpatient providers for ongoing care.
• Resources Navigation: Responds to trauma alerts, safety calls, pre‑escalation needs and collaborates with street outreach teams and facilitates mediation to mitigate retaliation risks.
• Outreach: Provides patient support, collaborating with teams, and engaging in intensive community outreach. In addition, this includes making follow‑up calls, connecting to resources, and sending letters to patients that have been discharged to connect them to outpatient resources.
• Continuity of Care: Schedules patient appointments with the TRC, other Advocate internal resources, or community partners before discharge to ensure ongoing care, which requires strong collaboration with other providers. Participate in the facilitation of psychoeducational and support groups.
• Assessments: Conducts intakes and needs assessments, linking patients to appropriate resources and outpatient services. It may also require notifying other hospital providers of unmet needs to be addressed while in the hospital.
• Record Keeping: Maintains accurate records of patient interactions and action plans.
• Collaboration: Works with the hospital treatment team and community partners to ensure comprehensive treatment, discharge planning, and continuity of care.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or GED

Certification / Registration / License

• N/A

Experience

• Minimum of one year experience in social services.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and independently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to handle difficult conversations and maintain professionalism.
• Willingness to adapt to evolving job responsibilities.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Full‑time position (40 hours per week), with flexibility to cover all shifts as needed.
• Availability to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Reliable, punctual, and open to learning.
• Familiarity with and experience working in the designated service area.
• Adaptability to evolving hospital expectations to meet site needs and ensure quality patient care.
• Passion for and dedication to serving the community.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and rapport‑building skills.
• Empathy‑driven, service‑oriented attitude.
• Ability to engage in meaningful conversations, motivate patients, and communicate effectively with diverse populations, including seniors.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds unassisted; for heavier lifts, assistance from at least one other team member will be required.

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

• Associate’s Degree

Experience

• 2 or more years related experience in social services.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Previous supervisory experience.
• Experience working with trauma‑affected populations.
• Billingual

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.