Mā te tuakana e arahi i te teina, mā te teina e arahi i te tuakana.
From the older sibling the younger one is taught the right way to do things, and from the younger sibling the older one learns new things. We're all ākonga (students) for life.
Clinicians who are contracted to a Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Service (SAATS) and/or Non-fatal Strangulation and Suffocation Assessment Service (NFSSAS) can become part of our mentoring program. This includes:
doctors
nurse practitioners
paediatricians, and
Police Medical Officers (PMOs).
To take part in the mentoring programme you’ll also need to be a MEDSAC affiliate. If you haven’t already signed up to become part of the MEDSAC community of affiliates and associates, we’ll ask you to do that before you enter the mentoring programme.
Being an affiliate gives you access to a private space where you’ll have access to all the tools and resources you’ll need while working towards accreditation. Joining the MEDSAC community as an affiliate is free.
Mentoring for SAATS and NFSSAS clinicians
Our mentoring programme supports clinicians who are working towards gaining MEDSAC accreditation as an adult and adolescent forensic examiner working within:
a Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Service (SAATS), or
a Non-fatal Strangulation and Suffocation Assessment Service (NFSSAS).
SAATS and NFSSAS clinicians are automatically enrolled as tēina, or learners, on the MEDSAC mentoring program.
You’ll be enrolled as soon as you’ve completed your initial training in the therapeutic medical and forensic management of sexual assault, or the NFSS training. You don’t have to sign up for the programme yourself – we’ll be in touch after you’ve attended training to get you started.
Mentoring for paediatricians
The mentoring programme is available to paediatricians who:
have attended the Assessment of Suspected Abuse in Children and Adolescents (ASAC) training provided by Te Puaruruhau
are currently working in New Zealand.
If you’ve attended the ASAC training and you’re interested in working towards MEDSAC accreditation in the medical and forensic examination of children in the context of sexual abuse, contact us to find out about registering for mentoring.
The mentoring programme will help support you as you develop your skills and experience, and grow your confidence in examining and supporting our tamariki and their whānau when there's concern about sexual abuse.
Mentoring for Police Medical Officers (PMOs)
As a PMO, you can take advantage of our mentoring programme if you:
are contracted to a Non-fatal Strangulation and Suffocation Assessment Service (NFSSAS)
have completed modules 1-4 of the NFSS training.
If you’d like to be part of the mentoring programme, contact us to find out how to register.
Working with a mentor
When you’re signed up for the mentoring programme you’ll be matched with a mentor, or tuakana, who will support you as their teina as you gain the relevant experience for accreditation. Our tuākana are all experienced MEDSAC accredited clinicians, and as part of their role they’ll:
give you practical advice and guidance when you need it
provide feedback on the activities you’ll be completing as part of the accreditation process
share the learnings they’ve gained during their time as a SAATS clinician
share suggestions for self care
provide lots of kōrero and encouragement!
Tuākana are based all across the motu, so they may not be located in the same region as you and much of your interaction will be through email, video calls and talking on the phone. However, while your mentor may be based in another part of the motu to you, remember you can always get kanohi ki te kanohi advice or support from the Lead Clinician at your service.