West Virginia Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs Mission & Overview
The mission of the WV Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Program is to promote SANE program development and improve access in WV to ensure that medical providers are qualified to provide comprehensive, compassionate trauma-informed care to individuals reporting sexual assault statewide.
WV SANE Training Overview
The West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WV FRIS) has developed training standards, along with SANE training programs. WV SANE training programs are designed to train health care providers to conduct medical forensic exams and to collect evidence that could be used in a criminal trial. This includes taking a medical history; documenting scratches, bruises, abrasions, and othe injuries on a body diagram, taking photos of injuries, and collecting DNA swabs. In cases where DFSA is suspected, urine and blood will also be collected. Click here for FAQs about SANE training in WV.
WV SANE Online Coursework for Adults/Adolescents
To be able to take the WV SANE online courseword for adults/adolescents, a registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) must have a current, unrestricted licensure. It is preferred that nurses have 2 years of clinical experience before training to be a SANE.
SANE Online Training for Adult/Adolescent Cases - 40 Hours
The 40 hours of SANE online training is offered by the WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WV FRIS). The course is self-paced and available without cost to health care providers.
The 40-hour SANE training includes information on how to:
- Obtain a relevant medical history from a sexual assault patient
- Conduct a physical examination specific to the medical history
- Document injury using photography, body diagrams, and charting
- Collect and preserve forensic samples
- Use the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory's sexual assault evidence collection kit (SAECK)
- Provide the patient with prophylactic medications and/or emergency contraception for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy
- Treat and/or refer the patient for medical treatment
WV Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Clinical Skills Days - Classroom Training and Practicum Skills Day for Adults/Adolescents
After completing the 40-hour online SANE training, the nurse must attend teh West Virginia SANE Clinical Skills Day and the West Virginia SANE Practicum Skills Day, unless the hospital they are employed at has an established SANE skills training that has been approved to sustitute for this training.
WV Clinical Requirements with Preceptor(s) for Adult/Adolescent (AA) SANE Training
Demonstration of clinical competence is an essential part of the completion of the adult/adolescent SANE training. The nurse must have a period of clinical practice with a qualified preceptor to adequately develop and demonstrate teh compentencies and skills require of SANEs. In addition to attending the two (2) in person training days, the nurse must demonstrate compentency in genital exams, specialized equipment proficiency training, complete the free online SAMFE Virtual Practicum, attend a criminal trial proceeding, complete three additional training opportunities such as webinars or meeting with their local Rape Crisis Center, and demonstrate competency in performing the medical forensic examination.
NOTE: It is recommended that the clinical requirements be completed within a six (6) month time period, but they must be completed within the year following the didactic SANE training.