Registered nurse - forensic nurse examiner - health

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/SANE Nurse

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) provides compassionate, trauma-informed, culturally respectful medical forensic care to relatives/patients who have experienced sexual assault. The SANE is responsible for completing timely medical assessments, forensic evidence collection, injury documentation, patient education, crisis support, safety planning, mandated reporting when required, and referrals for follow-up medical, behavioral health, advocacy, and community-based services.

This position functions with primary responsibility for SANE services and secondary responsibility to provide as needed clinical nursing support within OHC clinics.

The SANE works closely with medical providers, nursing staff, behavioral health, advocacy agencies, law enforcement, child protection, prosecutors, and other community partners while maintaining patient consent, confidentiality, chain of custody, and professional standards of forensic nursing practice.

Essential Functions

Provide timely, compassionate, trauma-informed care to relatives/patients presenting after sexual assault or other forms of violence.

Conduct medical forensic examinations in accordance with applicable federal, state, tribal, organizational, and professional standards.

Obtain informed consent throughout the examination process and ensure the patient understands their options, including the right to decline, pause, or stop any portion of the exam.

Complete age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate assessments for adolescent and adult patients. Assess and document physical injuries, medical needs, emotional status, safety concerns, and risk factors.

Provide or coordinate treatment for injuries, sexually transmitted infection prevention, pregnancy prevention, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis referral or coordination, and other urgent medical needs according to protocol and provider orders.

Ensure relatives/patients receive clear discharge instructions, follow-up care guidance, and information on available advocacy and support services.

Collect, preserve, label, package, and secure forensic evidence according to applicable evidence collection kit instructions, chain-of-custody requirements, and GPTLHB protocols.

Complete accurate, objective, and timely medical forensic documentation.

Photograph injuries when appropriate, authorized, and consented to, following organizational policy and forensic standards.

Maintain chain of custody for evidence and coordinate evidence transfer with authorized law enforcement or designated agencies.

Ensure all required forms, consent documents, body maps, photographs, and narrative documentation are completed accurately and securely stored.

Maintain confidentiality of all patient information and forensic records in accordance with HIPAA, organizational policy, and applicable legal requirements.

Provide care in a manner that minimizes re-traumatization and supports patient choice, control, dignity, and emotional safety.

Coordinate with victim advocates, behavioral health providers, social services, and community resources when requested or appropriate.

Support safety planning for patients who may be at continued risk of harm.

Provide culturally respectful care that recognizes the impact of historical trauma, violence, grief, and systemic barriers experienced by Native communities.

Offer connection to traditional healing, cultural support, spiritual care, or other support services when available and desired by the patient.

Treat every patient as a relative, with respect, privacy, compassion, and nonjudgmental care.

Collaborate with providers, nurses, other clinical staff, behavioral health, patient advocates, law enforcement, child protection, prosecutors, and community partners as needed.

Participate in multidisciplinary case review, sexual assault response team activities, or community coordination meetings when assigned.

Serve as a clinical resource to staff regarding sexual assault response, trauma-informed care, forensic evidence preservation, mandated reporting, and patient-centered communication.

Assist with the development, implementation, and review of SANE protocols, workflows, policies, standing orders, and training materials.

Support coordination with tribal, state, federal, and local partners to strengthen the medical forensic response system.

Provide factual testimony in court or legal proceedings when subpoenaed or required.

Maintain professional boundaries and avoid actions that could compromise patient trust, forensic integrity, or legal proceedings.

Follow all mandated reporting requirements for children, vulnerable adults, elder abuse, human trafficking, or other reportable concerns.

Maintain required licensure, certifications, training, competencies, and continuing education.

Participate in quality review, peer review, chart audits, case debriefings, and ongoing performance improvement related to SANE services.

Maintain readiness for on-call response, if assigned.

Assist with tracking SANE program data, including exam volume, response times, evidence transfer, training completion, follow-up referrals, and service gaps.

Identify barriers to timely, compassionate, and effective care and recommend process improvements.

Participate in training, drills, mock exams, competency validation, and quality assurance activities.

Support GPTLHB's accreditation, compliance, patient safety, and workforce development efforts.

Promote continuous improvement in the organization's response to sexual assault and interpersonal violence.

Education/Experience

Current, active, and unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the State of South Dakota or compact state privilege to practice.

Associate degree in Nursing with 5 years of clinical experience or, Bachelor of Science in Nursing with 3 years of clinical experience.

Preferred clinical nursing experience in emergency, urgent care, women's health, public health, behavioral health, or forensic nursing.

Preferred experience working in tribal health and/or tribal communities with understanding of culturally centered care, experience collaborating with victim advocacy programs, law enforcement, prosecutors, child protection, or multidisciplinary teams, training in trauma-informed care, strangulation assessment, human trafficking response, intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, or forensic photography.

Active certification by an approved adult/adolescent SANE training program is required. SANE-A, or nationally recognized sexual assault nurse examiner certification is preferred.

Current Basic Life Support certification required.

Ability to complete all required forensic nursing competencies, skills validation, and ongoing continuing education.

Must successfully pass pre-employment background check and drug screening.

Must maintain all required licensure, certifications, and organizational competence condition of employment.

The GPTCHB is a tribal organization that follows tribal preference laws. Our policy is to give preference to qualified Indian/Tribal candidates over a qualified non-native candidate in hiring decisions if all other qualifications are equal.

Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks.

Compliance with our Employee Health Procedure is a condition of employment. You are required to agree that you will comply with all job-related employee health screening and immunizations prior to your first day of employment. Jobs require that you have documentation that you have completed the following immunizations prior to your first day of employment: MMR (Measles; Mumps and Rubella), Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis B, Influenza, T-dap (tetanus - Diphtheria - Pertussis), and COVID-19 vaccination is required.

This position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical demands and work environment may include:

Primarily sedentary work is performed in an office or administrative setting.

Requires the ability to sit for extended period and regularly use standard office equipment such as a computer, keyboard, telephone, and copier.

Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching may be required.

Ability to lift and carry office materials or supplies up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Requires manual dexterity and visual acuity for computer use and document review.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and hear.

Work is performed primarily in an indoor office or administrative environment.

The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that requires normal safety precautions typical of office settings, including proper use of office equipment and awareness of trips, falls, and fire regulations.

Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board