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This section is intended for communities interested in implementing sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs, as well as providers interested in becoming SANEs.
WVFRIS provides resources and technical support to plan and coordinate SANE program development, as well as provide information about SANE training and clinical requirements needed to practice as a SANE in West Virginia. For additional information or questions, please contact the WV SANE Coordinator at wvsanecoordinator@fris.org.
PLEASE NOTE: to practice as a SANE in West Virginia, see the FAQ PDF.
Overview
A sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) is a registered nurse who has been specifically trained to provide comprehensive care to sexual violence victims. The SANE is trained to identify physical trauma, document injuries, collect evidence and maintain the chain of custody, and provide necessary referrals. To become a SANE, a registered nurse must successfully complete a 40-hour training. An additional 25 hours of supervised clinical experience are required.
SANEs are trained in both the physical and emotional aspects of caring for victims of sexual assault. SANEs collaborate with advocates from the local rape crisis centers who are available to provide resources and support to victims.
The SANE is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team and knowledgeable in the nursing process, forensic sample collection, victims’ needs and legal responsibilities.
SANE programs have made a profound difference in the quality of care provided to sexual assault victims. SANE programs are enhancing evidence collection for more effective investigations and better prosecutions. Particularly in non-stranger sexual assault cases, thorough documentation of evidence corroborating a victim’s account of an assault by establishing lack of consent has led to more successful prosecutions.
What Does a SANE Do?
With the advent of SANE programs, it became possible for sexual assault victims to consistently receive prompt and compassionate emergency care from medical professionals who understand victimization issues.
A SANE can enhance the evidentiary examination process by reducing the time victims have to wait in a hospital’s emergency department and the time it takes to complete the examination. The quality of the examination is usually improved because an experienced SANE is adept at identifying physical trauma and psychological needs, ensuring that victims receive appropriate medical care, knowing what evidence to look for and how to document injuries and other forensic evidence, and providing necessary referrals.
Why is a SANE Important to a Community?
A SANE program can be tailored to the needs of any locality or region to provide a victim-sensitive solution to systemic gaps in the medical-legal response to sexual assault victims. WVFRIS has made a commitment to offer information and technical assistance to individuals and institutions interested in developing SANE programs.
Requirements
The SANE training is designed to provide a comprehensive education program in the complete assessment, evaluation and treatment of the adult and adolescent sexual assault survivor.
To be eligible to practice as a SANE, it is recommended that a nurse have at least 2 years of nursing experience and hold a current West Virginia nursing license.
Requirements to Become an Adult/Adolescent SANE
The adult/adolescent SANE training program prepares nurses to care for victims of sexual assault and abuse who have had the onset of puberty.
To begin the WV SANE Training for adults/adolescents, a registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) must have a current, unrestricted licensure. It is preferred that nurses have 2 years of clinical experience before training to be a SANE.
The Adult/Adolescent WV SANE training involves the following:
- WV SANE Didactic Coursework – (40 hours online)
- WV SANE Clinical Skills Day – 16 hours (2 days face-to-face training)
- WV SANE Clinical Requirements with Preceptor
WV Adult/Adolescent SANE Didactic Online Coursework
The 40 hours of SANE online training is self-paced and available without cost to health care providers and includes information on how to:
- Obtain a relevant medical history from a sexual assault patient
- Conduct a physical examination specific to the medical history
- Document injury using photography, body diagrams, and charting
- Collect and preserve forensic samples
- Use the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory’s sexual assault evidence collection kit (SAECK)
- Provide the patient with prophylactic medications and/or emergency contraception for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy
- Treat and/or refer the patient for medical treatment
WV trainings, clinical requirements, and helpful documents will soon be available via the WV SAFE Commission’s website.
WV Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Clinical Skills Days – Classroom Training and Practicum Skills Day for Adults/Adolescents
After completing the 40-hour online SANE training, the nurse must attend the West Virginia SANE Clinical Skills Day and the West Virginia SANE Practicum Skills Day, unless the hospital they are employed at has an established SANE skills training that has been approved to substitute for this training.
WV Clinical Requirements with Preceptor(s) for Adult/Adolescent (AA) SANE Training
Demonstration of clinical competence is an essential part of the completion of the adult/adolescent SANE training. The nurse must have a period of clinical practice with a qualified preceptor to adequately develop and demonstrate the competencies and skills required of SANEs. In addition to attending the two (2) in person training days, the nurse must demonstrate competency in genital exams, specialized equipment proficiency training, complete the free online SAMFE Virtual Practicum, attend a criminal trial proceeding, complete three additional training opportunities such as webinars or meeting with their local Rape Crisis Center, and demonstrate competency in performing the medical forensic examination.
NOTE: It is recommended that the clinical requirements be completed within a six (6) month time period, but they must be completed within the year following the didactic SANE training
WV Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Pediatric/Adolescent Training
The 40-hour Pediatric/Adolescent SANE online training is designed for health care providers who are planning to provide comprehensive care to pediatric/adolescent patients (pre-pubertal up to age 14) who have been sexually assaulted or abused.
NOTE: In order to take the pediatric/adolescent training through WVFRIS, it is required that registered nurses have successfully completed all training requirements for the adult/adolescent SANE and have a current certificate from the WV SAFE Commission to practice as an AA-SANE.
The WV SANE training for Pediatric/Adolescent involves the following:
- WV Pediatric/Adolescent SANE Didactic Coursework – (40 hours online)
- WV Pediatric/Adolescent SANE Clinical Skills Course
- WV SANE Clinical Requirements with Preceptor
The 40-hour SANE Online Pediatric/Adolescent Training includes the following:
- Procedures and techniques when conducting medical forensic examinations
- Informed consent with rights to privacy and confidentiality
- Medical history using a trauma-informed approach
- Head-to-toe assessment, including a detailed anogenital assessment, while using appropriate examination positions.
- History taking and assessing physical examination findings
- Specialized equipment and visualization techniques, including the use of photography to identify findings and documentation on the SAECK form body diagrams
- Injury/trauma recognition
- Normal variations
- Proper evidence-collection techniques with modifications based on the patient’s age and developmental/cognitive level.
- Toxicology specimen collection for drug-facilitated sexual assault, specimen packaging and mailing
- Proper collection of specimens for testing for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and HIV
- Psychosocial assessment for safety
- Crisis intervention with referrals and information about services available from the rape crisis centers (RCCs)
- Discharge instructions and referral for next steps based on needs
WV Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Clinical Skills Days for Pediatric/Adolescents
There are clinical requirements that must be completed to be able to care for Pediatric/Adolescent patients that follow the IAFN Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Education Guidelines. IAFN guidelines indicate that the clinical training requirements be completed with the guidance of a forensically experienced physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or a forensically experienced registered nurse, SANE-P. Required clinical skills shall be performed until the nurse demonstrates competence, and competency is determined by the professional assessing the required clinical skills.
Exam Reimbursement
How are Hospitals in West Virginia Reimbursed for the Cost of the Forensic Medical Examination?
Statutory provisions created by the West Virginia Legislature provide a $1,000 reimbursement to hospitals for the forensic part of the forensic medical examination.
- In West Virginia, each hospital is responsible for submitting the paperwork to the WV Prosecuting Attorneys Institute (WVPAI) to obtain the reimbursement from the Forensic Medical Examination Fund for the exam.
- An original invoice and completed certification form from the hospital must be submitted, within a reasonable time after the forensic medical examination has been conducted, to the WVPAI.
How are SANEs Reimbursed for the Forensic Medical Examination?
West Virginia does not have a designated standard pay for a SANE who conducts the forensic medical examination. Each hospital determines how the SANE is reimbursed for those services.