Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program
Thank you for your interest in the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program. The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia is designated by the New York State Department of Health as a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Center of Excellence and is one of the hospital-based programs in New York City offering state-of-the-art forensic and medical services to victims of sexual assault.
Medical providers in the SAFE Program provide compassionate and competent medical care, forensic examination and documentation, and crisis counseling at NYP/Columbia's Adult, Pediatric and Allen Emergency Departments.
Responsibilities of a SAFE
Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners must be RNs, MDs, PAs or NPs dedicated to providing medical and forensic care to victims of sexual assault, employed by NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian Allen with a license to practice in New York State and at least one year of post-graduate practice in their area of licensure.
Each examiner completes a 40hr NYS DOH-approved training, and preceptorship, in the forensic examination of victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Examiners are reimbursed by their tuition program for the cost of the training. The SAFE training is a NYS approved Continuing Education program.
Examiners should be able to dedicate at least one year of service as an on-call examiner and reside within 60 minutes of the three Emergency Departments of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia. Service consists of a minimum of two 12-hour "on-call" shifts per month. Examiners are paid $350 per patient assisted during an on-call shift.
The Medical Director of the SAFE Program provides ongoing clinical supervision and medical guidance. The Coordinators of the SAFE Program are also available to debrief cases and provide emotional support.
For more information
For more information on the SAFE Program, at NYP/Columbia's Adult, Pediatric and Allen Emergency Departments, please contact the Program Coordinators, and Verena Salvi (646-445-9840; [email protected]) and Clara Ceccanti, (917-572-3188; [email protected])
You may also contact the Medical Director, Dr. Jordan Foster, at [email protected] or the DOVE Program Manager, George Lewert, at [email protected].
For information on SAFE Centers of Excellence in New York State and NYSDOH Protocol for the examination of sexual assault, please visit the New York State Department of Health.