Forensic Interviewer, UPMC Pinnacle

Description

Purpose:
The Forensic Interviewer is the key role within the Child Advocacy department at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. This position acts as the consultative representative within the hospital for intervention circumstances with regard to potential child abuse and neglect . This position will perform appropriate forensic assessments of children, parents, or caretakers in order to delineate cases of abuse. This role works with applicable key law enforcement and state/county offices to manage cases of abuses and provides necessary documentation, support, and follow-up.

Responsibilities:

• Function in a team setting on a regularly scheduled basis to present cases and receive feedback from a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
• Complete follow up calls to families to ensure their needs are being met and provide them with additional resources as needed. Follow all hospital and departmental procedures.
• Maintain expertise in the fields of child investigative interviewing, child sexual abuse, developmental levels, and other pertinent topics via on-going training, research and readings and supervision.
• Engage with the UPMC legal and risk management team when appropriate regarding case activity.
• Conduct forensic interviews with the victim, family, medical staff, social workers, CYS, law enforcement, in order to obtain sensitive information in all cases of abuse and neglect. Assess/evaluate circumstances utilizing expertise and applicable law to complete assessment. Work appropriately with applicable agencies/ individuals to assist with case disposition and safety planning.
• Effectively and professionally represent UPMC and Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Department through legal appearance in court etc. Maintain exceptional testimony skills in order to clearly represent circumstances.
• Complete intake assessments through triage of calls, documentation of required information and then schedule by coordinating with all parties involved with the family.
• Develop clear and concise documentation of evaluations and maintain accurate and thorough records for internal and external sources as deemed appropriate.
• Complete and maintain all tracking pertinent to the patient in relation to tracking policy.
• Provide service recommendations for the child and family to assist CYF, law enforcement, the court and other applicable personnel to develop plan of services for the family to achieve the best possible outcome in a case.
• Conduct investigative interviews with non-offending caretakers as a part of the child forensic interview process.
• Utilize forensic photography for documentation as needed for evidence.
• Complete referrals to community agencies for counseling and victim services as necessary.
• Participate in on call rotation to ensure forensic interviews are available 24 hours/7 days a week/365 days a year for child protection services and law enforcement to assist them in ensuring the safety of the children they service.
• Act as a resource to both the hospital, the UPMC Health System and the community regarding child abuse and all related system and community resources.
• Follow all hospital and departmental procedures and policies in regards to referrals, reporting and confidentiality in relation to child abuse cases.
• Participates in on-going education, peer review and literature review to enhance forensic skills and maintain a level of ongoing education and knowledge in field as outline by the National Children’s Alliance Accreditation Standards

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a child related, social service or criminal justice field and three years experience working in child welfare field OR Master’s degree in child related, social service or criminal justice and 6 months internship at an accredited Child Advocacy Center. Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to interact with child and caretakers in high stress situations. Ability to function in a team setting and work well with a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Skilled professional writing capability for documentation of interviews and case findings. Knowledge of research in child abuse or related field. Must complete National Forensic Interview Training within 1 year of hire

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
National Forensic Interview Training within 1 year of hire

• • Driver’s License

• UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran