Volunteer Rape Crisis Helpline Counselor

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DESCRIPTION:

The Volunteer Rape Crisis Helpline Counselor is supported by the Survivor Response Program Manager at Victims Assistance Services. The Rape Crisis Helpline Counselor provides crisis intervention, advocacy, information and referrals, safety planning assistance, and support to clients utilizing the VAS' 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline during non-business hours. VAS employs helpline software to answer Hotline calls when the office is closed. On-call Hotline Volunteers receive a call from the software on their phone when there is a caller on the crisis line. Four shifts per month for 12 months required.

RAPE CRISIS COUNSELOR (RCCV)

Volunteers must:

1) Successfully complete a thirty-hour New York State Department of Health (DOH) course

2) Complete annual competency assessments

3) Attend monthly supervision meetings via Zoom.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - ADMINISTRATIVE:

The RCC will commit to the program for at least one year by submitting on-call shifts, responding to calls while on-shift, and completing all call documentation.

1. Commit to the Rape Crisis Program for at least one year,

1. Submits at least four available, full, on-call shifts per month, including one shift on one of the major holidays per year by the 25 th of each month to the SRPM.
2. Responds to all calls during scheduled shift.
3. Submit all helpline forms completed during coverage period to VAS by 11 AM the following business day.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - IMPLEMENTATION:

The Rape Crisis Helpline Counselor shall:

1. Provide crisis intervention
2. Assess for safety and needs of the caller
3. Serve as a mandated reporter
4. Provide appropriate referrals for follow-up care for all clients and referrals to Victims Assistance Services
5. Document in an objective and comprehensive manner information required by VAS on individual helpline forms.
6. Maintain confidentiality of records and communications