About Us
Who We Are:
The NWA Forensic Nurse Team is a group of Forensic Nurses that work with the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County, Children's Safety Center of Washington County and the Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault to provide medical services to victims of crime. Our team is able to see patients in any of our center locations and in the hospital if patients are unable to be discharged to one of our centers.
NWA Forensic Nurse Team is able to provide sexual assault exams with and without evidence collection, non-fatal strangulation exams, lab testing for sexually transmitted infections, prophylactic medications to prevent sexually transmitted infections, photo documentation of injuries, and referrals for follow-up care. Live, in-person, advocacy services are integrated into all of our exams.
How To Refer a Sexual Assault Patient
Pediatric Patients: (17 & younger)
· Call and notify law enforcement where the assault took place AND
· Call and notify the Arkansas State Police Child Abuse Hotline: 1-844-728-3224
Both entities should be notified when there is an allegation or outcry of abuse so that intervention may be initiated ASAP, if a nurse is reporting a concern of abuse and immediate intervention is not needed, they may call the ASP Hotline only. Law Enforcement often has the quicker response time.
The NWA Forensic Nurse Team works in conjunction with the Children’s Safety Center and Children’s Advocacy Center. These centers are available 24/7 to help facilitate and navigate the process of referring children for investigative and follow up services. The nurse on call is contacted via the center advocate. This is done to stay in compliance with state protocol that all pediatric sexual assault clients are seen via the Children’s Advocacy Center model, offered advocacy services, follow up therapy services through the center, forensic interview services through the centers, professional peer review and consultation with ACH Team for Children at Risk (TCAR) in Little Rock, and follow up medical services.
· The Children's Safety Center of Washington County: 479-872-6183
- After Hours Phone: 479-263-3237
· The Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County: 479-621-0385
- After Hours Phone: 479-246-8964
Adult Patients: (18 & older)
· Assist Patient in calling the Arkansas Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-794-4175
- This connects you with on call center advocate 24/7, it does not make a legal report of any kind
· NWA Center for Sexual Assault (Business hours): 479-347-2304
- Advocates can be reached via this number, but hotline must be called for referral 1670 W Sunset Ave Suite B, Springdale, AR 72762
If client wants to make a police report, assist with contacting law enforcement where assault took place
The NWA Forensic Nurse Team works in conjunction with the NWA Center for Sexual Assault. The nurse on call is contacted via the center advocate. This is done to ensure that clients receive advocacy services and have access to follow up services. Nurses can see clients in the hospital if they are unable to be discharged, otherwise they should be seen at the clinic after D/C
If client wishes to receive a Sexual Assault Exam please refrain from having them urinate if possible, especially cleaning the genital area for a clean catch/straight cath specimen
For Human Trafficking Concerns Contact Brenan Despain, FBI: 479-280-2178
Joining Our Team
Contact us to inquire about open positions on our team!
Requirements:
- RN License, 2 years nursing experience preferred
- Adult/Adolescent/Pediatric SANE Training. The NWA Forensic Nurse Team sees patients of all ages. There are 3 different SANE trainings that exists: Adult/Adolescent SANE Training (40 hours minimum), Pediatric/Adolescent SANE Training (40 hours minimum), and Adult/Adolescent/Pediatric SANE Training (64 hours minimum). Nurses on our team must either take both 40 hour courses or the 64 hour combined course to complete didactic coursework for all patient populations.
Position Details:
- 12 hour on-call shifts, 6am-6pm and 6pm-6am
- Work days, nights, and weekends
- Take a minimum of 6 shifts per month
- Attend minimum requirement of state-wide peer review meetings
- Complete minimum requirement of CEUs specific to forensic nursing annually
How to Complete SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Training:
- Online Courses offered through the International Association of Forensic Nurses: https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/40HourSANE
- Online Pediatric/Adolescent Course offered through the Midwest Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.mrcac.org/medical-academy/psane/
- Live Adult/Adolescent/Pediatric Course offered annually in Arkansas, contact for more details on this live 8-day training
- Various other course options can be viewed here: https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/ApprovedSANECourse
