Registered Nurse (RN) - Forensic Nurse Examiner - St. Vincent Medical Center

Summary of Primary Function The Forensic Registered Nurse (RN) is a highly specialized professional who leverages dedicated education and training to deliver comprehensive, trauma‑informed nursing care. They operate with increasing independence, utilizing the nursing process, current evidence‑based clinical knowledge, and the International Association of Forensic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA & IAFN 2016). The core function is to provide professional nursing care for patients across the lifespan who have been affected by crime, unlawful acts, trauma, and intentional or unintentional harm. This role is inherently complex, requiring the integration of knowledge from nursing science, criminal justice, public health, and forensic science. The Forensic Nurse applies a trauma‑informed approach to accurately assess the medical‑legal needs of these patients, collaborating with the health team to coordinate care, anticipate nursing intervention outcomes, and set criteria for quality care. Crucially, this position demands mobility and adaptability as the RN will travel to and provide services at various hospital facilities within the system to meet patient needs. Essential Job Functions In collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, conduct initial and ongoing patient assessment, analyze assessment data, create a plan of care, implement treatment, and evaluate treatment effectiveness and safety planning throughout the process and at discharge. Administer medications in a safe manner, consistent with the State of Practice and Bon Secours Mercy Health policies and procedures. Serve as point of contact for patients' care coordination throughout hospital departments. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams composed of medical professionals, community and system‑based advocates, social services workers, faith community leaders, law enforcement, and legal practitioners. Maintain departmental quality assurance through active participation in monthly peer and case reviews, ensuring all forensic documentation and care align with ANA and IAFN (2016) standards. Apply the nursing process to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations affected by violence and trauma, through identification, management, and prevention of intentional and unintentional injuries and death. Apply nursing practice to the care of individuals across the lifespan and integrate forensic and nursing sciences in the assessment and care of populations affected by physical, psychological, or social violence, trauma, or death including, but not limited to, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, physical abuse, maltreatment, neglect, elder abuse and vulnerable persons, and violence resulting in injury or death. Provide episodic care for populations affected by trauma, including those legally defined as victims, suspects, the accused, and perpetrators. Act as a patient safety advocate by participating in ongoing quality improvement in the department. Assess the need for and implement unit‑based activities (quality assessment, in‑services, etc.). Provide education to patients, staff, communities, and populations in the prevention, detection, and treatment of the effects of violence. Accept responsibility and accountability for ethical/legal functioning. Facility travel: Must be available and willing to travel to and provide services at multiple hospital facilities within the system's service area as scheduled or required by patient need. BSMH nurses are expected to practice and deliver care in accordance with the core concepts and intention of the BSMH Nursing Professional Practice Model. Skills Assign patient care according to the nursing skill, knowledge, and scope of practice of staff. Orient, facilitate learning experience, and provide education (based upon quality improvement indicators, outcomes, and implementation) to nursing staff and others. Possess clinical knowledge, skills, and competency to provide evidence‑based patient care in accordance with the current standards of practice, policy and procedure, and BSMH mission. Perform comprehensive assessment of patient's clinical condition and psychosocial needs of the patient and their supportive resources. Safely and efficiently develop, implement, and prioritize plan of care. Application of the nursing process in patient care delivery. Assess patient's physical and emotional responses to treatment to evaluate effectiveness of intervention and patient outcomes; revise plan of care accordingly. Assist patient and family in coping with patient's illness. Collaborate with others in the delivery of coordinated patient care. Strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills. Apply cultural diversity and inclusion principles when caring for patients and their support resources. Recognize own limitations and seek assistance and acquire information to perform safely. Advance personal and professional growth through participation in educational programs, current literature, in‑services, and workshops. Exhibit professionalism through accountability for own and delegated actions. Integrate cost‑effective measures into practice and model effective stewardship of available resources. Practice self‑care and cultivate resilience during conflict and difficult circumstances. Proactively manage the impact of vicarious trauma by participating in peer support programs and utilizing organizational resources to maintain personal resilience. Protect the safety and privacy of all persons. Understanding and utilization of office and clinical technologies. Ability to communicate with patients in a manner they can understand considering their personal preferences. Compassionate, relationship‑based approach to help find meaning in illness, suffering, pain, and existence. Remain calm, adaptive, and collective during an emergency. Maintain a meticulous and legally defensible chain of custody for all evidence collected, ensuring integrity from the point of collection to transfer to law enforcement. Document relevant information accurately and thoroughly. Apply ethical, legal, and privacy guidelines to the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of information. Demonstrate proficiency in forensic photography and the use of specialized visualization equipment (e.g., alternate light sources) to document non‑visible trauma or biological evidence. Knowledge of contemporary forensic nursing evidence‑based practice, research, and future innovations. Evaluation of professional forensic nursing practice to optimize goals and outcomes. Identification, collection, and organization of data relevant to forensic nurses. Administer, organize, and coordinate the role of the forensic nurse in programs, systems, and environments where the forensic nurse practices. Involvement and influence in internal and external systems where professional and societal regulations of nursing practice affect public health and safety. Development, analysis, and implementation of health policy relevant to forensic nurses and patient populations in forensic settings. Provision of ethical, safe, evidence‑based, trauma‑informed direct patient care related to injury, crime, victimization, violence, abuse, and exploitation. Provision of testimony forensic, both fact and expert, in a variety of judicial settings. Participate in pre‑trial consultations with legal counsel and maintain professional "curriculum vitae" (CV) and testimony logs to establish expert/fact witness credentials. Ability to meet the physical and emotional demands of forensic nursing care. Licensing/C­ertification Current RN license in the state of employment or covered by compact (required). Valid State Driver’s License (required). BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire, required to obtain prior to providing direct patient care). Must Be Willing To Obtain Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner‑Adult/Adolescent (SANE‑A) – International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) (obtained within one year). Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner‑Pediatric (SANE‑P) – International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) (obtained within one year). General/Advanced Forensic Nursing Certification (GFN‑C)(AFN‑C) (obtained within one year). Education Bachelor of Science Nursing (required). SANE‑A Training Course or certification (preferred). SANE‑P Training Course or certification (preferred). Work Experience 2 years of RN experience (required). Training International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) didactic training for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Forensic Nursing program (obtained within one year). Generalist/Advanced Forensic Nursing didactic course (obtained within one year). Pediatric/Adolescent/Adult Case Review (completed). Patient Population Neonates (0‑4 weeks). Infant (1‑12 months). Pediatrics (1‑12 years). Adolescents (13‑17 years). Adults (18‑64 years). Geriatrics (65 years and older). Working Conditions Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse. May be required to use physical restraints. May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids. May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials. May have periods of constant interruptions. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control. Hours Shift: Nights. Hours: 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM. Hours per pay period: 48. Weekend, holiday and on‑call rotation required per department policy. Benefits Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible). Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HSA/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts. Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short‑ and long‑term disability, backup care for children and elders. Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support. Equal Employment Opportunity All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. This is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team. #J-18808-Ljbffr