Comprehensive Job Description Report: Forensic Nurses (SANE)

This report details the job description for Forensic Nurses, also known as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs). It outlines the role's responsibilities, including providing compassionate care to sexual assault victims, conducting forensic examinations, and supporting legal proceedings. The report specifies required skills, education, and experience, such as a Registered Nurse license and training according to IAFN guidelines. It covers the work environment, challenges like gathering patient history and dual responsibilities, and rewards such as saving lives and providing emotional support. The report also includes information on salary, duties, and the nature of the work, with references to relevant sources.

JOB DESCRIPTION FORENSIC NURSES (SANE)
STUDENT NAME:
STUDENT ID:

SANE is sexual assault nursing examiner, nurses who after
getting their license of a RN can practice as a SANE in anti-
violence communities or hospitals, with at least 2 years of
experience. The average salary of a SANE in United States is
about $110,000 ("forensic nurses", 2019). For this a SANE
has to complete training according to the IAFN guidelines.
SANE generally works in hospitals or anti-violence
communities dealing with sexual assault. There are many
challenges and rewards a forensic nurse has to go through in
order to serve the victim or the patient (Pierce-Weeks &
Campbell, 2008). SANE nurses are required to provide the
patients with emotional as well as physical wellbeing.

Job Title: SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)
Salary Range: $70,200 - $107,218 a year
Skills Required: Clinical Assessment is important with a title
of Registered Nurse or equivalent. Should
know about state/province or country laws
and regulations related to medical.
Education Required: A title of unrestricted RN (Registered
Nurse) along with certified training courses
of the state that follow the guidelines of
International Association of Forensic
Nursing (IAFN)
Experience Required: Must have at least 2 years of experience as a
RN and also experience of working with a
physician and advance forensic nurse.
Completion of clinical requirements
according to the IAFN guidelines. One
should have experience of working with
adults as well as adolescents. Should be able
to control one’s physical as well as
emotional trauma (FRIS, 2019).
Duties : The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner or
SANE will give compassionate care to the
sexual assault victim, without any
judgements. Additionally, will see through
tests reports like pregnancy, sexually

transmitted disease, forensic exam, support
and participation in the legal proceedings,
refer the patient to a proper and regular
treatments regarding medical as well as
psychological. You are expected to follow
up the rules, regulations and guidelines
given by the medical director of the
hospital. Documentation of the sexual
assault victim to be maintained along with
the photographs and all the other proofs.
Nature of the Work: The candidate is required to perform the
following tasks:
 Proper examination of the sexual
assault along with proper
documentation of the interview.
 Sorting of patients according to the
severity of the condition and also
according to their medical
examination.
 A complete forensic and physical
examination of the patient including
the genital examination, head to toe
assessment for trauma, specimen
collection, proper documentation
along with photographs, reporting to

the coordinator when asked.
 Evaluation of the injuries along with
proper photographic proof.
 No use of alcohol or drug or in the
influence of it during the duty time.
 Should maintain patient’s record
confidentiality.
 Should always stick to the evidence
protocols and manage the nature of
patient- nurse relationship.
 Maintains equipment in proper
working conditions.
 Maintains patient’s emotional as
well as physical wellness or needs.
Type of Work Environment: Reputed hospital in the state and community
of anti-violence programmes.
Challenges:  Gathering history from the patients
about the events that occurred.
 No consent from the patient to
gather the evidence.
 Have dual responsibilities to the
patients as well as to the justice
system.
Rewards:  Saving lives with the help of
medical care responsibilities.

 Feeling of satisfaction after
supporting the patient emotionally
and physically.
References

Forensic nurses. (2019). Retrieved 24 September 2019, from
https://www.registerednursing.org/specialty/forensic-nurse/
FRIS), W. (2019). Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) | Forensic Medical Exam |
West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WV FRIS). Retrieved 24
September 2019, from https://www.fris.org/SANEs/SANE.html#heading4
Pierce-Weeks, J., & Campbell, P. (2008). The challenges forensic nurses face when their
patient is comatose. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 4(3), 104-110. doi:
10.1097/01263942-200809000-00002