Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner​/SANE Nurse

Position Title

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner / SANE Nurse

Clinical Care

Senior Director of Nursing

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.

• 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…