Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Candice Orfao, RN

Seattle,WA

Summary

I am privileged to serve my community as a forensic nurse examiner. I enjoy educating nurses and other community partners about our unique role in caring for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. I am dedicated to cultivating resilience in our patients by providing compassionate, trauma-informed care.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Assistant Nurse Manager

Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
Seattle, WA
02.2023 - Current
  • Assist with hiring and onboarding new nursing staff.
  • See adult patients in ED follow-up clinic, provide additional injury documentation as needed.
  • Manage on-call schedule.
  • Lead monthly staff meetings.
  • Participate in weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings.
  • Review cases and provide feedback for staff.
  • Participate in writing policies and procedures, as well as Washington State guidelines for forensic nursing care.
  • Provide coverage for Harborview's TeleSANE program, which offers 24/7 support for rural SANEs.
  • Educate community partners about forensic medical services offered by Harborview.

Forensic Nurse Examiner

Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
Seattle, WA
10.2021 - Current
  • Provide trauma-informed care for adult and pediatric patients of sexual assault or domestic violence with strangulation.
  • Conduct forensic medical exam including physical assessment, evidence collection, photography, and meticulous documentation of patient narrative/any injuries; coordinate care with provider.
  • Counsel patients about options for pregnancy prevention and post-exposure prophylaxis for STIs.
  • Testify about findings in court, if subpoenaed.
  • Precept new SANEs.
  • Cover shifts in the HATC follow-up clinic.

Registered Nurse, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care

University of Washington Medical Center (5SA)
Seattle, WA
02.2022 - 02.2023
  • Manage care of critically ill patients in a tertiary care ICU. Patient population includes a variety of cardiac and thoracic surgeries, heart/lung transplants, as well as cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support.
  • Trained in management of MCS devices including LVADs, Impella, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, CentriMag, TandemHeart, and bedside care of the ECMO patient.
  • Titrate vasoactive drips and sedation to meet patient goals.
  • Closely monitor for signs of clinical decompensation and communicate with provider.
  • Respond appropriately to emergencies following ACLS and CALS algorithms.

Registered Nurse, Acute Care Cardiology

University of Washington Medical Center (4SE)
Seattle, WA
10.2019 - 02.2022
  • Recover patients from the cath lab after procedures including TAVR, PCI, Mitral/Tricuspid Clip, Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA), pacemaker implantation, ablations, medical management of heart failure, pre-CABG & pre-transplant workup.

Sexual Assault Victim Advocate

Providence Intervention Center For Assault And Abuse
Everett, WA
07.2019 - 10.2020
  • Dispatch alongside a forensic nurse to 5 local emergency departments for any cases involving sexual assault or child abuse.
  • Provide emotional support at the bedside during sexual assault exams.
  • Triage calls on the 24-hour crisis line.
  • Advocate for trauma-informed care during interactions with law enforcement and medical staff.
  • Assist with Crime Victims Compensation paperwork and provide other appropriate referrals to community resources.

Victim Advocate

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
Bellingham, WA
02.2017 - 06.2018
  • Attend protection order hearings with survivors at Whatcom County District Court.
  • Provide on-call bedside advocacy during pediatric and adult sexual assault forensic exams in the Emergency Department.
  • Offer emotional support services, explain exam procedures, assist with safety planning, and assist with Crime Victims Compensation paperwork.
  • Triage needs and connect patients to community support services.

Peer Advocate

Consultation & Sexual Assault Support (CASAS)
Bellingham, WA
04.2016 - 12.2017
  • Support student survivors in confidential consultation sessions.
  • Provide emotional support, information about reporting options, violence education, safety planning, counseling about medical exams, and academic advocacy. Assist with navigating the intricacies of Title IX protections.
  • Develop research-based resource materials for use in consultations and trainings, including topics on coping skills, local services, and providing trauma-informed care.
  • Facilitate trainings in residence halls regarding consent and Title IX.
  • Coordinate staff in-service with SANE team from St. Joseph Medical Center during annual Peer Health Educator training.

Education

Accelerated Bachelor of Science - Nursing

University of Washington School of Nursing
Seattle, WA
08-2019

Bachelor of Science - Molecular and Cell Biology

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA
12-2017

Skills

  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Advocacy
  • Clinical Leadership

Certification

  • Registered Nurse License: RN61004915. Expiration: 12/08/2024.

Timeline

Assistant Nurse Manager

Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
02.2023 - Current

Registered Nurse, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care

University of Washington Medical Center (5SA)
02.2022 - 02.2023

Forensic Nurse Examiner

Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
10.2021 - Current

Registered Nurse, Acute Care Cardiology

University of Washington Medical Center (4SE)
10.2019 - 02.2022

Sexual Assault Victim Advocate

Providence Intervention Center For Assault And Abuse
07.2019 - 10.2020

Victim Advocate

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
02.2017 - 06.2018

Peer Advocate

Consultation & Sexual Assault Support (CASAS)
04.2016 - 12.2017

Accelerated Bachelor of Science - Nursing

University of Washington School of Nursing

Bachelor of Science - Molecular and Cell Biology

Western Washington University
Candice Orfao, RN