VOCA Community Liaison and Victim Advocate
The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) seeks an energetic, confident, and culturally sensitive individual for a position in its Philadelphia office (123 Chestnut Street) for an exciting and new initiative: helping low-income crime victims navigate Medicaid to get health care services and supports.
PHLP has received Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funding to help victims of crime; especially, survivors of violent crime (e.g., shootings, drunk driving collisions) with lifelong disabilities (e.g., paraplegia) caused by the criminal encounter.
This position may be part-time up to full-time position. The successful candidate is expected to work remotely, however, occasional attendance in the Philadelphia office will be required. All required training will be provided. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling and expedited basis.
PHLP Mission and Strategies: PHLP is the designated state-wide health advocacy project of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. PHLP has a single focus: to protect and advance the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals. In support of this mission, we primarily serve clients seeking health insurance coverage or services through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
About the Position: The Community Liaison and Victim Advocate is a new position who will report to PHLP’s VOCA Program Manager. The Liaison will spend most of his or her time communicating with victims and victims’ advocacy organizations about Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program and PHLP’s services. Excellent communication skills, delivered virtually (via remote platforms) or telephonically to victims of crime and their advocates, are a must. Additionally, this position will carry a small caseload to assist victims navigate the healthcare system and provide referrals for needed services in the community. Funding for this position will end September 30, 2021; however, we are optimistic that funding will continue pending positive outcomes of this project.
Duties and Description: The position will require some or all the following:
- Significant contact with crime victims, their family members and advocates about Medicaid and PHLP’s services
- Maintaining thorough and accurate records of all contacts with victims, their family members, and victim service organizations
- Generating referrals of crime victims to PHLP by working with victim service organizations (e.g., county district attorney offices, Mothers Against Drunk Driving county chapters) and media outlets (e.g., newspaper reporters covering crime)
- Creating education materials such as fact sheets, newsletter articles, and presentations/trainings to professional and lay audiences
- Be (or capable of becoming) well-versed in speaking about the wide range of services and supports available through Medicaid (crime victims are often not aware that Medicaid can pay for personal care, home and vehicle adaptations, home delivered meals, and respite for caregivers, for example)
- Being a point of contact for crime victims by helping them fill out Medicaid application paperwork and (with other PHLP staff) advocating on their behalf to help them overcome enrollment barriers
- Actively participate in case management meetings with PHLP staff (including other VOCA-funded team members)
Required Qualifications
- Associate’s or higher degree required; Bachelor’s degree and relevant professional work experience preferred
- Background working with crime victims strongly preferred
- Knowledge of the Medicaid program preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent active listening skills to understand the specific situation of each victim of crime and to recall this information in follow-up conversations
- Possess compassion, positivity and patience in abundance to build authentic relationships with low-income victims of serious crime
- Significant travel; a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel within the state to conduct outreach and training
Salary: Starting salary is $44,000 with generous benefits
How to Apply: Please submit a resume and a cover letter identifying relevant experience by email to hr@phlp.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling and expedited basis. All applicants will be contacted to confirm acknowledgment of the materials and then contacted only if selected for an interview. Address cover letter to:
Mr. Laval Miller-Wilson, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Health Law Project
123 Chestnut Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
PHLP is committed to a diverse staff. People of color, persons who are bi-cultural or bi-lingual, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who identify as LGBTQ are encouraged to apply.
