Role Summary
Are you an experienced Registered Nurse ready for a specialist role where you can make a lasting difference for service users?
We’re looking for a compassionate, caring nurse, who’s passionate about advocating for those who use SARC. You don’t need previous SARC experience, we’ll fund your forensic examination training and support your professional development.
Be part of an NHS trust that values and invests in its people. Enjoy a great work-life balance and fantastic lifestyle offered by Devon and Cornwall’s stunning coastlines, breath-taking National Parks, and vibrant cities.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
As a Forensic Nurse Examiner, your role will be to perform forensic examinations for Police and self-referrals. Alongside a Crisis Worker, you will return control and power to our service users through trauma informed care at their pace - appointments have no time limit.
You’ll be based at a SARC in Exeter, Plymouth, or Truro, with the expectation for travelling across Devon and Cornwall.
During your 6 months’ probation period, with extensive support, training and a bespoke induction programme you will develop your skills and knowledge in forensic medical examinations and related areas such as sexual health, mental health, drugs and alcohol and safeguarding.
Only once you’ve completed your fully funded forensic examination training, competency-based workbook and assessment, and are comfortable will you work independently.
Support doesn’t stop once your probation period is over. You’ll receive regular internal and external supervision, 121’s, and your supportive team will be on hand to offer guidance.
Key duties:
- perform forensic medical examinations and support services users
- follow protocols and policies for the handling of evidence
- instigate referrals to agencies such as Sexual Health, GP, and Social Services
- write statements and attend court to provide witness evidence
- work with a wide group of agencies to advocate for service users
- support the training and development of the team (once qualified)
- provide training to partner agencies such as the Police, social care and universities
- deliver talks and attend events for universities, armed forces and charities
About Devon and Cornwall SARC service
Our staff are specially trained to support anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, either recently or in the past. We provide care and counselling to service users when they need it the most.
Our adult service is based out of three secure locations in Exeter, Plymouth, and Truro. The Exeter site has been designed to meet the upcoming forensic accreditation, one of only two in the UK. It is also the base for our paediatric service, which is a centre of excellence.
SARC provides a 24/7 service, 365 days a year, receiving referrals from Devon & Cornwall Police and self-referrals from members of the public.
About the SARC team
The adult service nursing team has highly specialist knowledge, skills, and experience providing trauma informed care to our service users. The team consists of Forensic Nurse Examiners, Crisis Workers, a Practice Educator, and a Safeguarding Lead, a Nurse Manager and Speciality Doctors.
The medically-led Paediatrics service consists of Consultants, Speciality Doctors, Assistant Practitioners, and Crisis Workers.
About you
We’re looking for an experienced Registered Adult Nurse who is comfortable working closely with colleagues and service users. You have a full driving licence and can travel between locations.
Experience working in SARC is not essential. However, you’ll need to be passionate about the service we provide - delivering exceptional trauma informed care to vulnerable populations (domestic violence, alcohol/substance abuse).
Applications are welcome from all Registered Adult Nurses, especially if you have experience in one of the following areas:
women’s health
- emergency medicine
- custodial services
- sexual health service
- practice nurses
- safeguarding
Why join us?
Our established and supportive senior leadership team, have been in post since service inception. They have a successful track record of gaining grant funding for the development and improvement of the service.
Focus on wellbeing for colleagues is a core aspect of SARC. Supervision is provided internally through the team and with external providers, to individuals and as a group. As well as being able to draw upon the trust-wide wellbeing programme and initiatives.
Training and development opportunities are in high supply here. Once you’ve settled into your role, you’ll be supported and encouraged to continue your career development. Whether that’s gaining your Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Forensic Person-Centred Practice, or gaining leadership skills or championing specialist areas of knowledge.
Innovation is central at the Royal Devon, we were the first trust in the UK to use our electronic record in the community. The Exeter SARC is the first in England to meet the new forensics standards, with plans in development to upgrade our Truro and Plymouth centres.
A healthy work-life balance is essential and Devon is a great place to enjoy it. We have a flexible working policy and we’re happy to discuss suitable options for you and the department.
A great place to live and work – Exeter, Plymouth, and Truro are vibrant cities with direct train links to London and the north. Devon benefits from two National Parks – Dartmoor and Exmoor. The Cornwall National Landscape includes the rugged, Bodmin Moor. The SW is renowned for world-class beaches and beautiful coastlines, enabling a fantastic lifestyle.
Don’t just take our word for it, the Telegraph recently ranked Devon as the best county in England, scoring highly for natural wonders, history and culture in their readers poll.
Working Pattern:
37.5 hours per week. Full-time hours equate to 13 shifts a month (08:00-20:00), one weekly overnight on call shift (20:00-08:00), and one weekend (Sat 08:00 – Mon 08:00) every 6 weeks. Part-time hours will be also be considered.
Interview Date: Week commencing 28th July 2025
For further information please contact: Tammy Saltern, Nurse Manager at tammy.saltern@nhs.net
Pay: The salary advertised for this position reflects the Agenda for Change 2025/6 rates, inclusive of a 3.6% pay award which will be implemented later this year. If you join before the implementation date, the pay award will be backdated to your start date. Until then, remuneration will be based on the 2024/5 pay bandings (Pay scales for 2024/25 | NHS Employers)
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
