Registered Nurse (RN), SANE - Casual

Position at VON Canada (Nova Scotia)

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 [email protected]

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 confidential debriefing services as needed to maintain emotional and physical wellness 
• Optional opportunities to teach or present information to schools and community organizations 

External and Internal Relationships:

• Engages clients with a trauma-informed approach, allowing clients to choose options and treatments best suited to their preferences.
• Knowledge of community services related to sexual assault response and care at all stages, and understands the importance of maintaining good relationships with these partners. 

Education, Designations and Experience: 

• Must be licensed as a RN or NP in the province of Nova Scotia.
• Current CPR required.
• Must be available to complete NS community-based SANE training upon hire with commitment to complete full SANE certification at a later date. 
• Previous SANE experience a strong asset.
• Three (3) years of experience in the community, women’s health, or acute care preferred.
• Experience in forensic or emergency nursing, mental health, women’s health, sexual health, crisis response, counseling, or trauma-informed care, is an asset.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system is an asset.

Skill Requirements: 

• Ability to observe and make effective assessment of clinical and forensic issues.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills that allow for effective engagement with victims/survivors of sexual assault, staff, SANE team, community partners, and the public.
• Strong interpersonal relationship building skills.
• Ability to be independent with decision-making
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team, with SANE partner, and community partners.
• The capacity to adhere to strict confidentiality.
• Able to articulate effectively knowledge of components of quality and risk management principles as they relate to clinical practices.
• Effective time management skills

Other:

• Access to reliable transportation
• Current and original copies of satisfactory Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector check and Child Abuse Registry check.
• Available to work flexible hours.
• The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be required

Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting, carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some tasks requiring fine hand movements.

Attention Current Employees (Internal Applicants): If you are applying to a unionized position and you are a member of its bargaining unit, please be aware that this posting may remain open beyond the deadline if there are not enough applicants to fill the position(s).  If the posting remains open after the initial deadline, VON may close the posting at its’ discretion or a rolling deadline equivalent to the posting period specified in your Collective Agreement will be deemed, and each successive period will be treated as a separate posting for purposes of comparing seniority between candidates.

VON Canada is committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities and to providing accessibility accommodations for candidates who require them. If you are in need of accessibility support, please visit our website at for further details.

VON Canada is committed to embracing and celebrating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as fundamental to living out our values of Respect, Compassion, and Excellence in all that we do.