Senior Registered Nurse - Forensic Exam Team

Registered Nurse

Location: Main Hospital Bldg - 1st Flr Work schedule: Full-time Nights (36 hours/week), 7:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays.

Primary Purpose: A Registered Nurse (RN) with > 2 years of experience. The RN is a licensed professional who uses the Parkland nursing professional practice model to coordinate patient care delivery, that focuses on a particular patient population(s)/specific health conditions, by the health care team. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses the patient, identifies nursing diagnoses based on responses to health problems, develops and implements an individualized plan of care, and evaluates the patient's response. The RN utilizes knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to assist patients to transition through the healthcare encounter without any preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions to health care personnel based on the Texas Nursing Practice Act, each patient's condition and the competencies of the employee.

Minimum Specifications:

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• Must have two (2) years of registered nursing experience.
• Prefer experience in an acute care setting with Forensic Nurse, Emergency Department, Trauma, and/or ICU/CCU in the last two (2) years registered nursing experience? Please note, clinical rotations as part of degree program, and/or LVN experience is not acceptable as experience.

Certification/Registration/Licensure:

• Must have current RN license or valid temporary permit with the Texas Board of Nursing or valid Compact RN license
• Must have current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from one of the following: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network.
• Must have current/valid SANE-CA certification from the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, OR
• Must have current/valid SANE-A certification from the International Association of Forensic Nurses, OR
• Current trainee holding a certificate of didactic course completion and actively working toward full certification within six (6) months of hire.
• May be required to have additional specialty certifications.

Skills or Special Abilities:

• Must be able to provide a complete trauma informed medical forensic examination to patients who have experienced violence that present to Parkland.
• Must be able to provide written documentation and photographic documentation of injuries to physically and sexually abused/assault adolescents and adults.
• At the request of law enforcement, completes legal blood draw process for patients who present to Parkland.
• Must be able to provide a non-judgmental examination with appropriate specimen collection to suspects of crimes.
• Must be able to provide continuous assessment, consults with other team members as required and provides nursing care which demonstrates patient centered trauma informed care.
• Exercises independent judgment in providing specialized nursing care
• Must be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and possess good oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide direction to non-nursing staff and serve as preceptor.
• Must be able to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient-centered and patient-valued behaviors.
• Must be self-directed and capable of priority setting and problem solving.
• Demonstrate acceptable knowledge of nursing standards of care for specialty care area.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as patient advocate by focusing on patient needs, patient rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences. Maintains positive working relationships with all Parkland internal and external customers, employees, etc. 2. Serves as a nursing resource for registered nurses, attending physicians and residents providing medical care for patients who have experienced violence.
• Provides patient care educational information regarding medical forensic specimen collection, medication treatment, and discharge planning to patients who have experienced violence and their family members.
• Participates in information exchanges with nursing, Parkland's VIP/Rape Crisis Center, law enforcement agencies, District Attorney's Office, Attorney General's Office. Testifies in court as an expert or fact witness. 5. Practices as a sexual assault nurse examiner in accordance to established standards of care as established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses, and Texas Office of the Attorney General; guidelines set by the state of Texas Nurse Practice Act, Parkland's policies/procedures, and forensic nursing scope and standards of practice.
• Completes medical forensic examination documentation. Maintains accurate and timely entries and notations in separate patient care records and medical forensic records. Ensures all documents meet the standards, goals, and objectives of the Forensic Examiner Team.
• Responsible for assisting in mentoring and training new Forensic Nurses in performing sexual assault medical forensic examinations.
• Participates in SANE Peer Review and quality assurance /performance improvement projects in accordance with the departmental and institutional QAPI plans.
• Stays abreast of latest developments, advancements in forensic nursing practice by attending seminars or workshops, reading professional journals, and actively participating in professional organizations.
• Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the department. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.
• Any duties deemed competent.