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State of Colorado Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner / Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SANE/SAFE) Project

Beginning in January of 2013, through a competitive grant offered through the Division of Criminal Justice, Memorial Hospital, University of Colorado Health assumed responsibility of the Colorado state SANE/SAFE Project. This project was previously administered through the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Our primary purpose is to provide statewide SANE/SAFE education, clinical training, and technical assistance to all of the programs in the State of Colorado based on the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) SANE Education Guidelines. Because not all communities have access or support for SANE/SAFE programs, the project will also train health facilities and providers without SANE programs. Additionally, training of multidisciplinary Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) members will occur. We believe that through the use of web based and live training we will be able to assist SANE and other medical professionals in maintaining the skills necessary to care for the sexually assaulted patient, and run sustainable programs.

We are immediately offering:

Technical assistance via phone or email consultation, monthly newsletter and postings on our web site

By mid-2013, the project will offer:

A 64-hour SANE/SAFE Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric web based didactic training, free of charge to properly licensed Colorado providers
Simulation lab trainings in the CADETS simulation lab at Memorial using highly skilled and experienced Forensic Nurse Examiners as well as live Gynecological Teaching Associates (GTA’s)

Events

Here is event stuff coming up:

Download: April 2013 Kickoff (.pdf/264K)

Social Media

Upcoming Training Opportunities

1. Online Comprehensive Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Training Program

The Colorado SANE/SAFE Project will be offering the following schedule of online Sexual Assault Nurse/Forensic Examiner didactic training programs:

Summer 2103 (July 1 - August 11)

Fall 2013 (October 1 - November 11)

Winter 2014 (January 1 - February 11)

Springs 2014 (April 1 - May 12)

» Download: SANE/SAFE Course Flyer (.pdf/100K)

Register Now

» Download: SANE/SAFE Registration Form (.docx/28K)

2. Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Clinical Skills Lab Training Program

The Colorado SANE/SAFE Project will be offering the following schedule of live SAFE clinical skills laboratories for nurses completing or having completed the Sexual Assault Nurse/Forensic Examiner didactic training program. The nurse wishing to complete this training would choose one of the dates listed.

August 21, 2013 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

September 3, 2013 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

October 3, 2013 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

» Download: SAFE Clinical Skills Lab Training Program (.pdf/208K)

Register Now

» Download: SANE/SAFE Clinical Skills Registration Form (.docx/23K)

eNewsletters

» Download: Recent Colorado SANE/SAFE Project Newsletter (.pdf/466K)

Definitions

SANE: A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is a Registered Nurse who has been trained in the comprehensive care of the sexually assaulted patient, has the ability to conduct a medical/forensic examination with or without evidence collection, and is capable of testifying as an expert witness in a legal proceeding. The SANE may care for the adult/adolescent population, the pediatric population, or both.

SAFE: A Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner is a Registered Nurse or advanced practice provider such as a physician assistant, physician or Nurse Practitioner who has been trained in the comprehensive care of the sexually assaulted patient, has the ability to conduct a medical/forensic examination with or without evidence collection, and is capable of testifying as an expert witness in a legal proceeding. The SANE may care for the adult/adolescent population, the pediatric population, or both.

The only difference between SANE and SAFE is that SANE only refers to nursing as the provider, SAFE may be nursing or other properly trained advanced practice providers.

SANE-A: Is the IAFN nationally recognized certification credentials when the appropriately trained SANE has successfully passed the adult/adolescent certification examination.

SANE-P: Is the IAFN nationally recognized certification credentials when the appropriately trained SANE has successfully passed the pediatric certification examination.

Certification: Is through the International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN). Information on certification can be found at http://iafn.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=4. There is no legislatively or otherwise mandated Colorado certification requirements.

Competency: is broadly defined as a person's ability or capacity to do a job. It applies to many professionals, and involves physical abilities or skills, performance of specific tasks, knowledge and understanding of the topic and the personal characteristics necessary for a job. In nursing, competency is determined at the local (clinical) level.