Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Health + Hospitals is seeking a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) to provide timely, compassionate, patient-centered forensic care. You will be part of the Sexual Assault Response Team, handling evidence collection, documentation, and coordination with treatment teams and law enforcement.

The role requires active medical licensure in NYS (RN/NP/PA/MD) with post-licensure experience, SAFE training, and ongoing BLS/ACLS certification.

Qualifications

• Valid New York State license and current registration to practice (RN/NP/PA/MD) with 1 year of full-time clinical post-licensure experience.
• Completion of Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Training certified/approved by NYSDOH.
• Must obtain NYSDOH SAFE certification within 12 months of appointment and maintain it via CME credits every 3 years.
• Active Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Responsibilities

• Respond to SAFE-designated NYC H+H settings within 60 minutes when on call.
• Obtain informed consent and conduct suspect evidence collection with chain-of-custody.
• Document findings and complete relevant assessment and CVB forms.
• Provide victim advocacy, health teaching, and follow-up recommendations to patients.

Skills

On-call readiness

Forensic evidence handling

Clinical assessment

Education

NYS professional license (RN/NP/PA/MD)

Job description

Marketing Statement

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the United States. We provide essential outpatient, inpatient and home-based services to more than one million New Yorkers every year across the city’s five boroughs. Our large health system consists of ambulatory centers, acute care centers, post-acute care/long-term care, rehabilitation programs, Home Care, and Correctional Health Services. Our diverse workforce is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers.

Marketing Statement

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the United States. We provide essential outpatient, inpatient and home-based services to more than one million New Yorkers every year across the city’s five boroughs. Our large health system consists of ambulatory centers, acute care centers, post-acute care/long-term care, rehabilitation programs, Home Care, and Correctional Health Services. Our diverse workforce is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers.

Duties & Responsibilities

Under clinical oversight, Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE), serves as part of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and performs forensic evidence collection for patients who report sexual assault, including evaluation and referral. Ensures the quality of collection, documentation, and preservation of forensic evidence. Provides timely, compassionate, and patient-centered care through data collection, physical assessment, health teaching, health counseling and provision of supportive care to ensure emotional support and reduce further trauma to the patient. Ensures optimal utilization of resources, service delivery and compliance with NYC Health + Hospitals, health care settings, and all relevant regulatory policies, procedures, and standards of care for better outcomes and improved patient experience.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner is expected to respond to any SAFE-designated NYC H+H health care settings within the borough in which they are hired to provide services when on call within 60 minutes of being notified by the clinical team, including those reported from inpatient departments.
• Obtains informed consent and conducts suspect evidence collection, including forensic photography, and adheres to chain of custody protocol.
• Ensures accurate collection and preservation of all forensic evidence and relevant specimens, while utilizing the New York State Sexual Offense Evidence Collection Kit, Drug Facilitated Forensic Evidence kit (if indicated), and a camera to document patient injuries as supporting evidence, in accordance with the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations Adults/Adolescents.
• Accurately documents findings, Sexual Assault Assessment forms and completes Crime Victim’s Board (CVB) claim forms.
• Endorses clinically relevant examination findings to primary treatment team, including Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) exposure risk, strangulation, etc.
• Identifies the components of crisis intervention and supportive techniques to be used with sexual assault survivors.
• Communicates with patients and their families regarding evidence collection, provides victim advocacy and educates sexually assaulted patients on recommended treatments, such as appropriate prophylaxis and follow-up.
• Consults appropriate personnel for medical treatment, as needed, and engages in hand off process with responsible Emergency Department/Service Attending. If the Attending is not available, engages in hand off process with resident or the allied health professional assigned to the patient.
• Communicates with law enforcement and the district attorney’s office; and testifies as fact or expert witness to any cases performed.
• Escalates all clinical and operational issues to NYC Health + Hospitals Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Borough Coordinator.
• Performs other program-related work, assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner is expected to respond to any SAFE-designated NYC H+H health care settings within the borough in which they are hired to provide services when on call within 60 minutes of being notified by the clinical team, including those reported from inpatient departments.
• Obtains informed consent and conducts suspect evidence collection, including forensic photography, and adheres to chain of custody protocol.
• Ensures accurate collection and preservation of all forensic evidence and relevant specimens, while utilizing the New York State Sexual Offense Evidence Collection Kit, Drug Facilitated Forensic Evidence kit (if indicated), and a camera to document patient injuries as supporting evidence, in accordance with the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations Adults/Adolescents.
• Accurately documents findings, Sexual Assault Assessment forms and completes Crime Victim’s Board (CVB) claim forms.
• Endorses clinically relevant examination findings to primary treatment team, including Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) exposure risk, strangulation, etc.
• Identifies the components of crisis intervention and supportive techniques to be used with sexual assault survivors.
• Communicates with patients and their families regarding evidence collection, provides victim advocacy and educates sexually assaulted patients on recommended treatments, such as appropriate prophylaxis and follow-up.
• Consults appropriate personnel for medical treatment, as needed, and engages in hand off process with responsible Emergency Department/Service Attending. If the Attending is not available, engages in hand off process with resident or the allied health professional assigned to the patient.
• Communicates with law enforcement and the district attorney’s office; and testifies as fact or expert witness to any cases performed.
• Escalates all clinical and operational issues to NYC Health + Hospitals Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Borough Coordinator.
• Performs other program-related work, assigned.

Qualification Requirements

• Valid New York State license and current registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED); and one (1) year of full-time clinical post-licensure experience; or
• Valid New York State license and current registration to practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) issued by the NYSED; and one (1) year of full-time clinical post-licensure experience; or
• Valid New York State license and current registration to practice as a Physician Assistant (PA) issued by the NYSED; and one (1) year of full-time clinical post-licensure experience; or
• Valid New York State license and current registration to practice medicine; and one (1) year of full-time clinical post-licensure experience.
• At the time of appointment, all applicants must have successfully completed a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Training Program that is certified or approved by New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
• Employees must obtain the NYSDOH SAFE certification within twelve (12) months of appointment; extensions may be granted up to an additional six (6) months at the discretion of the SAFE Coordinator or Director; and must maintain certification for the duration of employment as a SAFE by completing fifteen (15) Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits in NYSDOH-approved coursework/training every three (3) years after the initial certification; and
• Holds, or obtains within 30 days of appointment, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA).