VC-2015

THE SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINER TRAINING: ADULT AND ADOLESCENT


COURSE DESCRIPTION: This comprehensive course is designed to prepare registered nurses and other qualified health care professionals to conduct the forensic medical-legal examination of victims and suspects of reported sexual assault in a non-biased and objective manner. This course meets the didactic requirement for practicing as a sexual assault examiner.

The course content includes introduction to genital anatomy and physiology, identification of traumatized tissue, use of toluidine blue dye, utilization of Wood’s Lamp and other forensic light sources, photography, collection and preservation of physical and biological evidence, and evidentiary chain of custody. Special population issues, assessments for treatment and follow-up of related physical and psychological injuries are also addressed. Throughout the course, related terminology and comprehensive documentation is emphasized, along with suspect forensic examinations, examiner courtroom demeanor and preparation for testimony.

This training does not certify the nurse to perform sexual assault examinations, however, it does provide the nurse with the ability to conduct examinations. Upon conclusion of this program, the student receives a Certificate of Completion indicating that the 40-hour academic coursework has been completed.


CLINICAL COMPETENCY
(Licensed professionals only) Non-licensed professionals are not required to complete the internship.

To practice as a sexual assault nurse examiner, the student must complete a clinical competency internship. The post clinical requirements are the responsibility of the student to arrange after finishing the didactic portion of the course. Clinical competency should be accomplished by individually working with the appropriately skilled professionals in your community.

For information on the clinical competency guidelines required by the SANE-A Certification Board click on: SANE-A


AUTHOR AND INSTRUCTOR: Cari Caruso, RN SANE-A


ACCREDITATION: The American Institute of Forensic Education is accredited as a provider of continuing education by California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP#: 14812.


OBJECTIVES: After completion of this course of study, the student will be able to:

  1. List the roles and responsibilities of the sexual assault forensic examiner.
  2. Describe the mandatory reporting laws for healthcare professionals.
  3. Be able to meaningfully collaborate with law enforcement and crisis intervention personnel in the post event support care of victims.
  4. Demonstrate the necessary skills for performing sexual assault forensic examinations including history taking, physical assessment, genital examination, physical evidence recognition, collection and handling of physical evidence, forensic photography, and documentation.
  5. Identify, classify and manage genital and external genital injuries and differentiate between trauma related to sexual assault and other forms of trauma.
  6. Explain the written, diagrammatic, and photographic documentation of exams.
  7. Describe procedures for prophylaxis for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and discharge medical care.
  8. Have knowledge of contamination issues and potential biohazards present during examinations.
  9. Review the roles and responsibilities of the criminal justice system, the criminal justice process, prosecution strategies, defense strategies and forensic examiner’s testimony
  10. Describe the essential elements of Rape Trauma Syndrome and crisis intervention.
  11. Be familiar with the various profiles of sexual assault offenders.
  12. Describe the importance of victim support and advocacy.
  13. Discuss the sexual assault forensic nurse examiner ethical responsibilities.
  14. Discuss the examiner’s appropriate courtroom dress code and demeanor.
  15. Have knowledge of the professional resources available to the forensic examiners for victim assistance and continuing education in sexual assault forensic practice.
  16. Discuss special considerations and approaches for dealing with issues of special populations, adolescent victims, intimate partner violence and drug facilitated sexual assault.


WHO MAY TAKE THIS COURSE: Physicians, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, other qualified licensed health care professionals, law enforcement, social services professionals, attorneys, advocates, forensic scientists and criminalists. Enrollees who elect to complete the clinical practical internship must demonstrate proof of current professional licensure.


PREREQUISITES: It is suggested that students have basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, have interaction with law enforcement, forensic crime laboratory, prosecutorial agencies, attorneys, medical professionals and advocacy groups. Those with other backgrounds and interests may contact us for further information and explore enrollment.


AVAILABILITY: 2012 Course Schedule
    Start Date: January 17
    Final Exam: April 13-20

    Start Date: May 1
    Final Exam: July 20-27

    Start Date: August 14
    Final Exam: November 2-9

    Note: Dates subject to change


CONTACT HOURS:
    40 Contact hours (upon completion of didactic portion)
    45 Contact hours ( upon completion of internship)
    85 Total Continuing Education Hours (upon completion of didactic and internship portions of course)


DURATION:
    Didactic: 3 months.


PRESENTATION METHOD: The Blackboard Learning System.


TEACHING METHOD: This program is presented online with on-going instructor participation. There is an established time frame for completion of assignments, homework, research projects, and for participating in discussion forums. Lessons are supplemented by online interactive quizzes, tutorials, and discussions. All assignments and homework must be submitted to the instructor via e-mail or digital drop box. Routine course guidance and instructional materials will be accessed online. A final examination is administered interactively and can be accessed by the student within a specified time period. The course syllabus provides students with a roadmap for course navigation as well as a detailed schedule.


METHOD OF COURSE GRADING: Minimum passing score for the final examination is 70%. Retakes must be approved by the course instructor


COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS: Adobe Reader


METHOD OF COURSE EVALUATION: After successful completion of the course study and examination with a passing score of 70%, an evaluation shall be completed and submitted to info@taife.com


CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION: Upon completion of the 40-hour online didactic and the 45-hour supervised clinical and non-clinical internship requirements, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion. This course provides registered nurses 85-hours of California BRN Continuing Education. Participants residing outside of California will need to contact their individual state's licensing board to verify and determine the California BRN applicability.

Non-medical professionals who successfully complete the didactic portion of the program will receive a certificate specifying completion of that portion of the course only.

Students must complete the online didactic portion of the course in three months. The 45-hour internship may be completed concurrently with the online didactic portion of the course or within six months after completion.

Upon completion of the didactic and internship portions of this course, licensed professionals may, in selected jurisdictions, be eligible to practice as sexual assault forensic examiners. Additionally, this course fulfills the educational requirements for participants who may wish to make application for local, state or national certification, including the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Certification, (SANE-A), offered by the Forensic Nursing Certification Board (FNCB). http://www.iafn.org/certification/certHome.cfm


REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
    Medical Response to Adult Sexual Assault with CD: A Resource for Clinicians and Other Professionals
    To Order

    DVD and Reference Guide:
    The Sexual Assault Examination: Essential Forensic Techniques
    A complete guide to the forensic examination and professional evidence collection associated with victims of sexual assault.
    To Order

    The Color Atlas of Sexual Assault
    Faugno, Giardin, Seneski...Mosby (1997). St. Louis: Mosby.
    (ISBN 0-8151-3842-3)
    To Order


SUGGESTED COURSE MATERIALS
    Forensic Nursing
    Virginia A. Lynch with Janet Barber Duval. Elsevier Mosby, St Louis, MO. (2006),
    (ISBN 0-323-02826-8)
    To Order

    Rape and Sexual Assault Crime Classification Manual: A Standard System for Investigating and Classifying Violent Crimes
    Douglas, J.E.; Burgess, A.W.; Burgess, A.G. & Ressler, R.K., (1992). New York: Lexington Books.
    (ISBN 0-669-24638-7)
    To Order

    Sexual Assault: The Medico-Legal Examination
    Crowley, S.R. (1999). Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange.
    (ISBN 0-8385-8533-7)
    To Order

    Forensic Emergency Medicine
    Olshaker, J.S., Jackson, M.C. & Smock, W.S. (2007). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
    (ISBN-07817-3144-5)
    To Order

    Practical Aspects of Rape Investigations
    Hazelwood, P.R. & Burgess, A.W. (2001) (3rd ed). Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.
    (ISBN 0849300762)
    To Order

    Quick-Reference for Sexual Assault
    Giardino, A.P. et al. (2003). St. Louis: G.W. Medical Publishing, Inc.
    (ISBN 1-878060-38-4).
    To Order

    Images: Adult Genital Findings
    These images are an excellent resource for study, teaching and research needs. Carefully selected, the genital and anal findings, photographed with the colposcope, clearly identify trauma relating to sexual violence.
    50 CD IMAGES
    To Order


OTHER RELATED COURSES: Pediatric Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiner Training Program, Chain of Custody, Forensic Evidence Collection in the Emergency Department, Forensic Evidence Collection in the Clinical Setting, Forensic Blood Specimen Collection and Handling, Documentation and Communication: Forensic Issues for Healthcare in the Digital Era.


COURSE FEE:
    Medical Professionals: $575.00
Note: Upon receipt and processing of course payment, the student will receive an Email with payment confirmation and information concerning course access.

All courses and materials are based on United States laws and regulations unless otherwise noted. Laws vary from state to state.


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