Job Description

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is hiring a full-time Forensic Interviewer for our Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) in Park Forest, IL. 

At La Rabida Children’s Hospital, our mission is simple: we’re dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for each of our patients with complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. The path to completing this mission, however, is often complicated.  Fortunately, we’ve got the best team around.  If you are looking for your next career opportunity to partner with a compassionate multidisciplinary collaborative team, we have the job for you. 

Job Summary:   

The Forensic Interviewer conducts legally sound, neutral, fact-finding interviews with alleged child abuse or violent crime victims working as a part of a multi-disciplinary team including law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services, State’s Attorney’s Office, and other disciplines involved in the investigation and prosecution of  abuse and violent crime cases to avoid duplicative interviewing. The purpose of a forensic interview in a CAC is to obtain information from a child or adult with an intellectual disability about the abuse allegations in a developmentally and culturally sensitive, unbiased, fact-finding and legally sound manner that will support accurate and fair decision-making by the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) within the criminal justice, child protection, and service delivery systems. The forensic interviewer will also be responsible for facilitating the coordination of joint investigations and scheduling forensic interviews, and completing daily data entry and case reports. 

Essential Forensic Interviewer Functions: 

Forensic Interviewing: 

• Conduct neutral, developmentally responsive forensic interviews according to a nationally accredited forensic interview model in accordance with CAC protocol. 
• Adhere to research-based forensic interview guidelines that create an interview environment that enhances free recall, minimizes interviewer influence and gathers information needed by all the MDT members involved to avoid duplication of the interview process. 
• Consult with investigative Multidisciplinary Team Members in a formal pre and post interview staffing to share information that may be pertinent to the interview or subsequent investigation to avoid duplication.
• Coordinate information sharing and viewing of the forensic interview for team members who were not present at the initial appointment.
• Coordinate and schedule additional forensic interviews that result from information shared in the initial interview.
• Maintain mandated reporting certificate status every two years and regularly report abuse and negelct incidents as required. Follow up on hotline calls to determine if forensic interview coordination is needed.
• Complete 32 hours of a nationally accredited forensic interview training. (See NCA 2023 Accreditation Standards, Standard 3, Essential Component A.)
• Participate in ongoing education in the field of child maltreatment and/or forensic interviewing consisting of a minimum of 8 contact hours every 2 years. (See NCA 2023 Accreditation Standards, Standard 3, Essential Component B.)
• Attend and participate in at least four peer reviews annually. (See NCA 2023 Accreditation Standards, Standard 3, Essential Component G.)
• Participate in twice monthly supervision, at minimum, with the CAC Supervisor.
• Participate in regular Multidisciplinary Team Case Review Meetings to ensure accountability and collaboration between team members.
• Provide after-hours emergency forensic interviews on a rotating, on-call basis.

What we need from you :  

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, human services, or similar degree required. Individuals without a master's degree who have training and experience conducting forensic interviews in a child advocacy center setting will be considered with a bachelor's degree, by exception. Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred. 
• Two years of experience within the field of child abuse investigation, and knowledge of child development and psychological impacts of childhood trauma is strongly preferred. 
• CPR Required - Only certifications issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross will be accepted. 
• Child First Certification preferred
• Excellent organizational and scheduling skills; outstanding written and verbal communication abilities; effective interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Knowledge of overall child abuse dynamics, trauma, and the child welfare and legal systems. 
• Ability to focus under pressure with interruptions and meet strict deadlines. Must be able to perform job duties independently, proactively, and with a variety of people in a team setting. Position involves sensitive and confidential information about abuse victims and partner agency personnel at all levels. Strict confidentiality must be maintained.

This is a grant-supported position. Should the grant be reduced or ended, this position may be reduced or eliminated. Future salary increases will be available only when funding is provided in the grant/contract

What you will receive:

• Competitive Salary  

• Medical, Dental, and Vision  

• Pet Insurance 

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)  

• Life & Disability Insurance  

• Retirement Savings Plans & Matching  

• Tuition Reimbursement  

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  

• Generous Paid Time Off & Holidays  

• Free Parking  

• Free breakfast and lunch on the last Friday of every month  

Compensation Information:
Pay Range: $55,000 - $62,000 

Who we are:  

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head on. 

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.  

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