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, WA08-2019
Bachelor of Science - Molecular and Cell Biology
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA12-2017
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
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