Emergency Room Advocate

Position

Description:

The Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is seeking compassionate, empathetic people to work as Emergency Room Advocates for survivors of sexual violence. ERAs provide support and crisis intervention to survivors at the hospital emergency room or police department after office hours and on weekends. Emergency room calls may range from 2-6 hours.

SARA provides 24-hour support to survivors of sexual violence as well as nonoffending family and friends. This includes survivors of all ages and genders. Advocates stay with the survivor throughout the forensic/medical exam if the survivor wishes. Advocates provide active listening, support, referrals, and information to the survivor and any friends or family that may accompany the victim to the hospital.

The Advocate ensures that the client has a safe place to go after leaving the hospital and has a safe mode of transportation to get there. This is not a counseling or therapeutic position. Strong professional boundaries and an understanding of the limits of one’s competence and role are essential.

Pay for Emergency Room Advocates:

• Training:
  Upon completion of the training and after passing a background check, trainees will complete the required paperwork for part-time employment e hired, Advocates will earn a $400 training stipend in addition to their on-call wages.
• On-call: $3/hour for passive on-call hours
• Weeknights: 16-hour shifts at $3/hour = $48
• Weekends: 64-hour shifts at $3/hour = $192
• Weekdays: 8-hour shifts at $3/hour = $24

Active Pay: $20/hour for active hours during accompaniment

Requirements:
- Able to commit to at least 1 year of part-time employment with the agency
- Available to be on-call for:
Four weekdays (overnight) each month
Federal Holidays observed by SARA; 1 each year required, availability for multiple is appreciated.
- Keep a cell phone on their person while on-call, must be alert and able to respond, and must remain within a reasonable distance to respond if called to do so. Sleeping during overnight shifts is acceptable as long as the advocate is able to respond to incoming calls.
- Able to arrive at the University of Virginia Hospital Emergency Department within 45 minutes from the time the call is received.
- Complete 40 hours of Crisis Services Training and 12 hours of Emergency Room Advocate Training.
- Following each accompaniment, complete data entry and follow-up procedures.
- Promptly respond to emails regarding scheduling and updates on policies and procedures as well as attend meetings as scheduled.

Advocates must pass a criminal background check.

Qualifications:
- Must be comfortable working in a hospital environment, including but not limited to, seeing the drawing of blood and visible injuries.
- Able to follow procedures and standards set by the agency and community partners.
- Be creative in problem solving and resourceful.
- Able to work with a variety of professionals, such as law enforcement and hospital personnel.
- Able to remain nonjudgmental and maintain confidentiality in accordance with SARA policies.
- Have reliable transportation throughout each shift.

Spring 2026:
Hiring priority for individuals with weeknight and weekend availability.

On-call

Shifts:

Weekday

Shifts:

8 hours
Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Weeknight

Shifts:

16 hours
Monday – Thursday 5:00 pm to 9:00 am the following day

Weekend

Shift: 64 hours
Friday 5:00 pm to Monday 9:00 am

To Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to jacqueline
. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a Final date to receive applications on February 9, 2026
.

We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In reviewing applications, we look for evidence that candidates have experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with traditionally marginalized populations.