FORENSIC NURSE EXAMINER

Methodist Hospitals; Merrillville (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Methodist Hospitals seeks a registered nurse specialized in forensic nursing to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care to victims of violence. The role includes medical forensic exams, evidence collection, forensic photography, STI/pregnancy prophylaxis, and referrals for follow-up and safety planning.

You will triage, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and maintain proper chain of custody while testifying as needed in legal proceedings.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree in Nursing is required.
• Indiana RN license required.
• CPR certification required.
• Adult/Adolescent SANE Training within 1 year of hire required.
• Pediatric SANE Training within 1 year of hire required.
• Intimate Partner Violence Training within 1 year of hire required.
• Board Certifications- SANE-A, SANE-P, and GFN-C preferred.

Responsibilities

• Triage patients to determine need for evaluation by an advanced provider.
• Coordinate care with multidisciplinary teams and community partners.
• Assess mandatory reporting status and report as appropriate.
• Provide trauma-informed, patient-centered care to victims of violence.
• Perform complete forensic exam and evidence collection with documentation and photography.
• Administer medications per protocols.
• Communicate education and identify patient needs.
• Assist with safety planning and referrals for follow-up care.

Skills

Forensic nursing

SBAR communication

Critical thinking

Multi-tasking

Infection control

Teamwork

Patient education

Education

Associates degree in nursing

Bachelors degree in nursing (preferred)

Job description

Overview

A Forensic Nurse Examiner is a registered nurse who has received special training to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed, and patient-centered care to victims of violence. The services provided may include a medical forensic exam, evidence collection, forensic photography, prophylactic treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, referrals for appropriate follow-up, safety planning, and participation in legal proceedings.

Responsibilities

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (*Essential Functions)

• Ability to appropriately triage a patient to determine if the patient requires an evaluation by an advanced provider in the emergency department.
• *Coordinate care with multidisciplinary team and community partners, including advocacy, police departments, and child protective services.
• *Assess for mandatory reporting status and report when appropriate.
• *Provide safe, therapeutic care to all victims of violence in a non-judgmental, dignified manner, regardless of patient’s history, background, or status. Able to make adjustments to the exam process to meet the needs of the patient.
• *Perform a complete physical and forensic evidence collection examination, including a head-to-toe assessment for trauma, detailed genitalia examination, forensic specimen collection and documentation, photography, and document findings accurately and completely.
• *Administer appropriate medications per protocols.
• *Communicate effectively with victims to ensure proper education and identification of needs.
• *Assist patients with safety planning and provide referrals for follow-up care, counseling, and other needed resources.
• *Maintains appropriate chain of custody for all evidence collected.
• *Provide testimony as a fact witness to any cases performed as an FNE and coordinate with attorneys during the judicial process.
• Participate in regular peer review.
• Seek out and participate in regular continuing education opportunities and stay current with latest evidence-based research pertinent to forensic nursing.
• Attend 75% of all staff meetings and be responsible for reading all communications for the STAR Center manager.
• Attend yearly competencies and educational requirements as required by department.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized environment in the STAR Center, ensuring that the exam rooms are always “patient-ready”.

Qualifications

Job Specific Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of equipment and tools used in medical forensic exams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and ability to adapt to circumstances.
• Ability to provide and receive constructive criticism.
• Thorough knowledge of the sequelae related to sexual assault and other forms of violence.
• Ability to administer medication per policy and procedure.
• Ability to follow the National Patient Safety Goals.
• Ability to interpret lab and diagnostic results as it relates to patients status.
• Ability to communicate with all disciplines using SBAR.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrates courteous, kind and a caring, compassionate, positive attitude and support to the organization.
• Clinical skills, Bedside Manner, Infection Control, Nursing Skills, Physiological Knowledge, Administering Medication, Medical Teamwork, Multi-tasking, Listening, Verbal Communication, Health Promotion and Maintenance.

Education

Bachelors Degree in Nursing is Preferred

Associates Degree in Nursing is Required

Experience

2 yrs of nursing required1 yr emergency nursing preferred1 yr of forensic nursing preferred

Certifications and Licensures

IN Licensed Registered Nurse is Required

CPR is Required

Adult/Adolescent SANE Training (within 1 year of hire) is Required

Pediatric SANE Training (within 1 year of hire) is Required

Intimate Partner Violence Training (within 1 year of hire) is Required

Board Certifications- SANE-A, SANE-P, and GFN-C is Preferred

Model of Care and Conduct

Methodist Hospitals strives for excellence and insists on high standards of conduct and performance in everything we do. Our Model of Care and Conduct is designed to create a positive work environment which Methodist desires for all employees. This is foundational to the high level of patient, family and physician satisfaction we strive for each day. As part of all position’s duties at Methodist Hospitals, all employees are responsible to conduct themselves in accordance with the Model of Care and Conduct and will be evaluated according to these standards of behavior.