registered nurse (R.N.)

Requisition Details:

Employment Status: Casual Program Name: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Work Schedule: Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends Union/Bargaining Unit: NSNU On Call: Yes Location Coverage: SANEs must be able to respond to a case in all 3 designated emergency departments (Truro, Amherst, Musquodoboit Valley) within 1.5 hours. Existing Vacancy: Yes - we're currently hiring candidates for an existing vacancy in this position.

If External candidates are interested in working concurrently as a visiting nurse with VON, please indicate your interest on your cover letter.

The SANE course is 6 days long in the classroom, often in Truro, with a 2-day Skills Lab usually in Halifax on a weekend. VON orientation and e-learning are also required with a date to be determined.

Hired nurses will be trained to work in a support role with fully trained SANEs, with plans to take the next SANE course offered. Questions can be directed to the Manager at SANE@von.ca

Job Summary:

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program is a provincial, community-based intervention service that is provided, in this region, to Colchester and Cumberland counties and the Eastern Shore area. It is managed/administrated by the VON Colchester East Hants site. Specially trained RNs and NPs provide timely, professional, confidential, trauma-informed medical and forensic care and referrals for aftercare to post-pubescent victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, of all genders and orientations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SANE nurses report to the Manager of the SANE program. SANE nurses will be hired as an employee of VON and all training will be provided. The SANE nurse role may include, but is not limited to medical and forensic examinations, evidence collection, documentation, education, providing referrals, collection of statistical data, and providing testimony in court. On-call SANEs must attend scheduled monthly meetings and training sessions as necessary. On-call SANEs must have access to reliable transportation and be able to respond to a call to the designated emergency department (Truro, Amherst, Musquodoboit Valley) within 1.5 hours.

*Current VON nurses are encouraged to apply and may hold positions in both the visiting nurse program and the SANE program. External candidates with a primary job elsewhere will be assigned on-call hours based on the availability provided to us. Available hours must be provided 6 weeks in advance for each month. If External candidates are interested in working concurrently as a visiting nurse with VON, please indicate your interest on your cover letter.

Key Responsibilities:

Function as part of the on-call SANE response team, which may include:

• Available for approximately 96 hours a month (divided into blocks of 12?48-hour blocks of time)
• Respond to calls at designated site within 1.5 hours.
• Triage clients to determine if any necessary medical treatment is needed before forensic exam.
• Conduct medical-forensic exams including proper collection of photographic and other evidence, accurately conducting sexual assault medical forensic interviews, and maintaining chain of evidence.
• Testing for and administering prophylactic medications including emergency contraception.
• Document all aspects of the encounter with the victim as per regulatory requirements, including mandatory duty to report as appropriate.
• Awareness of other community programs related to sexual assault.
• Testify in legal proceedings as necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Use a trauma-informed approach when caring for victims/survivors.
• Provide client-centered and culturally competent care.
• Maintain accountability based on the standards established by the Nova Scotia College of Nursing, policies and protocols of the individual healthcare facilities and the SANE program, and ethical and legal requirements of professional practice.
• Maintain competency through regular practice, attending monthly staff meetings, and professional development opportunities.

Access confid