Sane Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Seeking a dynamic and experienced Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) dedicated to improving the lives of Massachusetts residents and those who are sexually assaulted.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is seeking an experienced, SANE for the role of the SANE Regional Coordinator for Northeastern (NE) Massachusetts. The NE SANE Regional Coordinator (RC) commits to ensuring that residents have access to trauma-informed SANE services if they are sexually assaulted. The NE RC will work closely with the Associate Director for In-person SANE services to meet this goal. The NE RC will work with NE SANE contractors to ensure a 24/7, 365 response when contacted by a MDPH-designated hospitals (N=8) and will work with clinicians at these 8 hospitals to ensure a quality trauma-informed patient care experience.

The MA SANE Program continues to evolve and expand based on the recognition of the growing need for, and value of, SANE services in helping patients who have been sexually assaulted on their path to recovery. The ideal candidate will be committed to joining with the SANE Program to improve the quality of life for all Commonwealth residents while eliminating the inequities that impact the lives of people of color and persons with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected by sexual violence. The ideal candidate will acknowledge the history of racism and structural racism in the U.S. and its impact on health outcomes, as well as its role in the perpetration of sexual violence.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and are not all inclusive):

• Manage direct service delivery of 24/7, 365 day/year SANE services at regionally-based, MDPH-designated SANE sites (N=8) in the Northeastern MA Region.

• Select appropriate SANE clinician candidates for contracting and coordinate contract activities to provide 24/7 on-call Northeastern MA regional coverage. Ensure efforts to recruit SANE candidates with diverse educational, clinical and racial/ethnic backgrounds whenever possible.

• Participate in the coordination of SANE Certification Trainings and act as faculty for SANE Certification Trainings.

• Develop and manage a regionally-based SANE "on-call" schedule to ensure 24/7 SANE coverage.

• Monitor reimbursement systems to ensure timely reimbursement of SANE contractors.

• Provide quality assurance activities to ensure SANE practice and documentation standards.

• Provide support and debriefing for SANE contractors to minimize the impact of secondary trauma. Assist with referrals to trauma-informed mental health clinicians for SANE clinician contractors as necessary.

• Monitor monthly RedCAP service delivery data and trends for region.

• Maintain open communication with Adult/Adolescent Associate Director when any site, SANE clinician contractor or compliance issues arise.

• Conduct monthly meetings with SANE contractors focused on SANE protocol updates, educational topics, case reviews and debriefing opportunities.

• Consult with SANE contractors and hospital staff for management of complex patient care including patients in Intensive Care Units and Operating Room settings.

• Collaborate with identified SANE site liaisons to ensure availability of equipment and supplies needed for medical forensic examinations and for resolution of clinical and operational issues.

• Identify regional training needs for hospitals and medical providers and conduct regional and/or individual site trainings to ensure evidence-based patient care for patients who have been sexually assaulted.

• Monitor compliance at designated hospitals with MDPH Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) requirements..

• Collaborate with local Rape Crisis Centers (RCC) to facilitate coordinated SANE/RCC response.

• Support SANE contractors when testifying in court through physical presence (when possible) and providing opportunities for trial preparation.

• Provide direct patient care to Adult/Adolescent and Pediatric SANE patients as needed.

• Participate in programmatic Racial/Equity/Inclusion efforts to identify ways to reduce barriers to care for marginalized populations most at risk for sexual violence and conduct outreach about SANE services to agencies serving culturally-specific communities.

• Provide outreach and training to Northeastern MA Region SANE community partners including: SANE and non-SANE hospitals, crime labs, police (local/state), correctional facilities, District Attorneys' Offices, local rape crisis centers, schools, colleges, universities, other state agencies (DCF, DPCC), and agencies serving culturally-specific communities.

• Monitors trends in forensic nursing and MA SANE practice and makes recommendations for changes to MA SANE Protocols and MA Evidence Collection Kits to ensure evidence-based practice.

• Collaborate with community partners in the development of Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART).

• Participate in collaborative research projects and service delivery projects with community agencies.

• May provide court testimony related to patient care provided directly to patients who have been sexually assaulted.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Understanding of MA SANE Adult/Adolescent SANE Protocols.

• Knowledge of forensic nursing principles and practices for patients of all genders who have been sexually assaulted.

• Awareness of trauma informed patient care principles including the varied emotional and physical responses of patients who have been sexually assaulted.

• Knowledge of "do no harm" principles that minimize trauma and ensure patient choice and control over all aspects of forensic exams and forensic evidence collection procedures.

• Demonstrated expertise in conducting physical examinations and forensic evidence collection for sexual assault patients of all genders.

• Knowledge the impact of racism on the Social Determinants of Health (SoDH), including healthcare and the relationship between oppression of marginalized populations and sexual violence.

• Knowledge of mandatory reporting and the importance of confidentiality and legal parameters for sharing patient information when working with other multi-disciplinary team (MDT) members (police, Department of Children and Families (DCF), Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC). 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated thoroughness of patient care related documentation.

•  Knowledge of vicarious trauma and principles of self-care to help mitigate secondary trauma reactions.

• Knowledge of trauma informed patient care principles including the varied emotional and physical responses of patients who have been sexually assaulted.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

1.    Current and valid licensure as a professional nurse under the MA Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).

2.    A minimum of 4 years of experience as a Registered Nurse preferably in Emergency Nursing, Women's Health Nursing or Critical Care Nursing.

3.    A minimum of 2 years of experience as a certified MA Adult/Adolescent SANE or have 2 years of experience as a SANE in another state in good standing. Applicants trained in another state must obtain MA SANE Certification within 9 months of hire.

4.    Applicants must have a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) or a Bachelor Degree in a related area of practice (e.g. health education, psychology, social work).

5.    Incumbents must maintain current and valid MDPH SANE certification.

6.    A minimum of 1 year experience in a supervisory or management capacity or an equivalent leadership role.

7.    Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License at a Class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.