Oregon SANE/SAE Out-of-State Certification

Requirements and Instructions

Application Process

  • For an out-of-state SANE/SAE to become certified as an Oregon SANE/SAE, the Oregon SANE/SAE Out-of-State Certification Application and payment must be submitted within one year of moving to Oregon.
  • If an extension is needed, an Extension Request Form must be submitted one month prior to application due date.

General Requirements for Out-of-State Certification

The Oregon Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)/Sexual Assault Examiner (SAE) Certification Commission has established certification requirements to ensure that licensed health care providers in Oregon have the necessary training and qualifications to provide medical forensic care that meets the highest standards using a victim-centered approach.

  1. Hold a current unrestricted RN, NP, PA, MD, or DO license in Oregon.
  2. Have two years of nursing or clinical experience.
  3. Maintain an average of 16 hours per month of relevant active clinical patient care practice.
  4. Complete a 40-hour didactic adult/adolescent SANE/SAE training that meets the National Training Standards for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations set by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN).
  5. Complete all non-clinical certification requirements.
  6. Complete at least 15 speculum exams within the past three years, and every three years thereafter.
  7. Submit three past sexual assault medical forensic exams on the Oregon SA Medical Forensic Exam Form 2016 or complete three sexual assault medical forensic exams in Oregon with access to a preceptor.
  8. Complete one critique and self-reflection on transitioning SANE/SAE practice to Oregon.
  9. If you have practiced as a SANE/SAE for 3+ years, complete at least 25 contact hours of relevant clinical or non-clinical continuing education (CE) within the past three years, and every three years thereafter.
  10. You are encouraged to include information about all related continuing education you have participated in. However, please note that there are maximums that can be applied to the requirements in each category. Please make sure that you have enough across categories to meet the full requirements.

Non-Clinical Requirements

This process is intended to help you connect effectively with others in your community whom you will likely work with during and after a sexual assault has occurred. When completing this form, please use the following guidelines. Signatures and phone numbers are required.

Law Enforcement: 6-8 hours, including a ride-along and/or observing a case review

  • General Objectives:
  • Learn about the daily expectations of law enforcement officers
  • Learn how sexual investigations are handled
  • Understand the challenges faced by officers responding to crimes
  • Understand how evidence is handled and stored, and the process for submitting evidence to the state crime lab
  • Ride-Along Objectives:
  • Attend a shift briefing at the start of the ride along
  • Ride with an officer experienced in sexual assault investigations
  • Visit the property/evidence room
  • Be introduced to the supervisor of the Detective Division, if possible
  • Case Review Objectives:
  • Review a sexual assault investigation that has been completed, presented to grand jury, and has either led to a plea deal or a trial, with a detective who investigates sexual assaults
  • Alternatively, if there is the opportunity, watch a SANE/SAE testify at trial (this would also satisfy the criminal court observation requirement)
  • Talk about questions that are presented during a sexual assault investigation

Criminal Court Observation

Attend a criminal court proceeding. It would be beneficial to attend the testimony of a SANE/SAE, but if this is not available, you may observe any felony court case. Your local District Attorney’s office or court staff will help you schedule a time.

District Attorney’s Office Observation: 2-4 hours

General Objectives:

  • Learn about the role of the DA’s Office and prosecutors in responding to sexual assault
  • Learn about the scope of services provided by and the philosophy of the DA’s office
  • Understand the victim’s role in the prosecution of a sexual assault case
  • Understand the rights of victims within and outside of the criminal justice system
  • Understand how the DA’s Office works with SANEs/SAEs on specific cases as well as for expert testimony or consultation
  • Discuss any specific guidance or advice about how best to prepare for cases

Victim Services Observation: 2-4 hours with a non-profit sexual assault advocacy agency and/or county victim assistance program observation (through the DA’s Office) that provides victim response to your area of work, child assessment center will not count

General Objectives:

  • Learn about the program’s role in responding to sexual assault
  • Learn about the role of a (non-profit or government) victim advocate
  • Understand the philosophy of the agency and the scope of the services they provide
  • Understand the rights victims have within and outside of the criminal justice system
  • Understand how SANEs/SAEs interface with the program
  • Discuss how SANEs/SAEs and advocates can work together most effectively

Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam Competency

If you have been practicing as a SANE/SAE in a state other than Oregon, you may request your charts from three past exams and transfer them onto the Oregon SA Medical Forensic Exam Form 2016.Different states may include different areas on their exam forms; if you find that you have to leave large areas of the state form blank, it is likely you are missing some of Oregon’s core competencies and you may be asked for an additional exam.

For your initial exams in Oregon, you should ensure you have access to a preceptor to consult for any differences you encounter. For any Oregon exams you submit, please complete the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam Competency Checklist. Every box should be marked with either 1 or 2 for each skill reviewed. You will fill in the columns for both the “Observing” exam and the “Independent” exam. Your preceptor will fill in the column for the “Being Observed” exam. Preceptors should be experienced SANEs who have demonstrated competency either through certification or independently.

In addition to this form, submit charts for all three exams using the following guidelines:

  • All exams must be on the Oregon state forms. Exams that are not on the state forms, including facility-specific paperwork that is based on old state forms, will not be accepted for review. While copying facility charts over to state forms requires time and effort, this is the only way the Oregon SANE/SAE Certification Commission can be sure to evaluate all applicants fairly. In addition, the state forms follow current best practice. If your facility’s forms differ significantly, consider discussing this with the head of your SANE program to make sure your documentation is consistent with the latest standards.
  • Write out all exams, including the “Observing” exam, to familiarize you with the form.
  • All exams must include the medications and referrals page. If medications were given, they must be listed along with their dosage.
  • De-identify charts before sending them in. This means removing all identifying information, including the names/initials of anyone not on the medical team, addresses, social security numbers, case/kit numbers, references to employment, tattoo descriptions, etc. Records that are not properly de-identified will be shredded and will not be accepted for review.
  • Please send in three medical forensic charts only. Any additional exams will not be considered. Do not send in photographs or other ancillary paperwork.
  • Make sure every page is legible. Faxing is not recommended.

Continuing Education Requirement

If you have been practicing as a SANE/SAE for 3+ years, it is expected that you will have completed continuing education. 25 hours of Continuing Education are therefore required for out-of-state applicants with three or more years of experience. CEs should have a clear and direct application to SANE/SAE practice, and must have occurred during the past three years to be applicable. CE requirements are intended to promote ongoing learning and interest in SANE/SAE specialization, but may not be substituted for practice requirements. In order to ensure a balance of relevant activities and experience, the SANE/SAE Certification Commission has set allowances for the combination of CE

applicable to the 25 CE requirement. The Commission will make the final determination as to category and acceptability of submissions.

CEs are based on actual documented contact hours or CEs given, with 1 contact hour equaling a minimum of 50 minutes. Although a CE provider or approver may categorize the CE courses, it is the SANE’s/SAE’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate categorization of CE on the CE/Practice Verification Log.

Learning: Relevant courses, trainings, conferences, and article reviews, 15 CE maximum

  • CE guidelines for academic coursework and article reviews:
  • 1 academic semester credit = 15 CEs
  • 1 academic quarter credit = 10 CEs
  • 1 academic trimester credit = 12 CEs
  • Article review = 1 CE per article
  • A grade of “C” or better must be obtained to apply towards recertification.
  • Unrelated academic course work, i.e. English literature, in-service trainings less than 50 minutes in length, and orientation sessions may not be counted towards CEs
  • It is recommended, but not required, that CEs be obtained through work approved by an official accreditation body. This information can be found on certificates of completion.
  • Continuing education that has not been approved by an accredited nursing or medical organization is acceptable if the content is beneficial to SANE/SAE practice and is a minimum of 50 minutes. Examples include but are not limited to: forensic photography, legal interviewing, expert testimony, etc.
  • Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs are specific to physicians, but because the educational content of these programs is of benefit to SANEs/SAEs, CMEs will be recognized for recertification.
  • Please note that the SCC is not an accrediting body.

Teaching: Relevant teaching, presentations, policy, or publication by applicant, 10 CE maximum

  • Each presentation or course must be a minimum of 50 minutes in length and can be used only once for recertification.
  • CE guidelines for publications by the applicant:
  • Chapter of a book = 10 CEs
  • Article in a journal = 5 CEs
  • Item writing for newsletter or internal publication = 1 CE
  • CE guidelines for non-publication teaching activities by the applicant:
  • Precepting = 1 CE per exam
  • Proctoring a mock exam = 1 CE per exam
  • Orienting a trainee to the forms, protocols, and state laws = 1 CE
  • Assisting at a speculum clinic = 1 CE
  • Creating/revising new forms for sexual assault exams at your workplace = 1 CE
  • Creating/revising policy around sexual assault exams at your workplace = 1 CE
  • Publications must be of educational value and have references. If there is more than one author, the allowable credit will be evenly distributed among all authors.

Activities: Trial testimony or case review, 10 CE maximum

  • CE guidelines for activities
  • Trial testimony = 1 CE per testimony
  • Mock trial participation = 1 CE per mock trial
  • Case review = 1 CE per case

Teams: Active participation on SART, MDT, SATF, etc, 10 CE maximum

  • SANEs/SAEs are integral to a coordinated community response to sexual assault. As such, the SCC recognizes the importance of consistent involvement SANEs/SAEs in local communities and acknowledges the educational value of such involvement through CE credits.
  • CE guidelines for community involvement
  • Active participation on SART, MDT, or SATF = 1 CE per meeting

Professional Membership, 1 CE per year of membership, 5 CE maximum

  • Membership in professional associations such as IAFN, ENA, CCRN, etc.
  • CE guidelines for professional memberships
  • 1 CE per year of membership during three-year certification period

Critique and Self-Reflection

Please take time to answer the questions honestly. Transitioning your practice from one state to another can be difficult. Your feedback is an opportunity for us to improve our support for out-of-state applicants who are seeking Oregon state certification.

Challenge Process

The SANE/SAE Certification Commission recognizes that some communities may not be able to support a SANE in certain aspects of maintaining a certification. There is, however, still an expectation that you are able to demonstrate competency satisfactory to the Commission and OSBN.You may challenge the Continuing Education Hours requirement due to CEU shortages, and/or the Sexual Assault Exam Active Practice if you were unable to obtain three (3) exams in the past three years.

Please identify on the application which area you are challenging and explain what you have done to maintain your competency as a SANE.The SANE/SAE Certification Commission reserves the right to assess the information provided and either accept or decline the submitted challenge.Please note, there is no challenge process for speculum exams. You must complete the Speculum Exam Active Practice portion of the application.

Audits

Each year, a number of applications may be randomly chosen for a verification audit. These SANEs/SAEs will be asked to submit a copy of their CE documentation and/or 40-hour didactic training. Do not submit originals. This documentation should include:

  • Name of participant
  • Title, dates, length (in hours) of the course, conference, or activity
  • If using academic credits, a grade report
  • If author of a book, chapter, or journal article, a copy of the title page and table of contents
  • If an item writer, documentation from the editor with the total number of items
  • If involved in a relevant professional activity, documentation of membership or involvement
  • Other supportive material may include syllabi, course outlines, handouts, etc.

Questions?

E-mail Nicole Broder, Oregon SANE/SAE Coordinator, at .

Mail all completed materials and fees to:

Oregon SANE/SAE Certification Commission

3625 River Road North, Suite 275

Keizer, OR 97303

Revised September 2016