Job Description

Forensic Nurse Examiner

Newport News, Virginia Overview The Forensic Nurse Examiner (staff nurse) is an advanced unit-based registered nurse who will provide timely, non-judgmental, compassionate care to include forensic medical assessments, photo and written documentation of injuries, collects and preserves appropriate forensic evidence while maintaining integrity of chain of custody, provides psychological support and offers referrals for follow-up and counseling. The FNE often testifies in the court system as an expert in the field of sexual assault, physical violence and neglect. Requires travel to other jurisdictions/facilities as warranted including other medical facilities, courts and detention center environments. The FNE with increasing independence utilizes the nursing process and current clinical knowledge to provide professional nursing care for all forensic patients within the Riverside Health System. The FNE's objective is to provide knowledgeable and caring clinical practice and care coordination through an understanding of patient, family, nurse, and healthcare delivery teams. Utilizes advanced knowledge and experience as a forensic nurse, to assess the medicolegal needs of patients, collaborate with health team members to coordinate patient care, anticipate the outcomes of nursing interventions, and set criteria for the quality of patient care. Quality and Best Practice- Serves as an empowering body to influence patient empowerment, and successful outcomes of financial and clinical quality, through relationships and access-based knowledge. Participates in professional development activities. Provides patient, staff and community education, and assesses need for and implements unit based activities (quality assessment, in-services, etc.). Accepts responsibility and accountability for ethical/legal functioning. Provides direction and guidance to others regarding practice. Serves as a resource, preceptor, and mentor. Demonstrates leadership skills in decision making and problem solving.

What You Will Do

• Exhibits positive customer relations and communication skills with staff, physicians, patients and families, ancillary departments and community. Acts as a liaison between multi-disciplinary team members (i.e. law enforcement, community advocacy centers, attorneys and social services).
• Observes and evaluates patients' symptoms, progress, and reactions to treatments, therapies, and medications. Demonstrates an awareness of case management process and optimal patient outcomes/discharge planning. Reports to physician and necessary staff, all pertinent assessments related to patient care, changes in patient's condition, medications administered, treatments, and therapies given. Seeks information/consultation from more experienced forensic nurse or coordinator when needed.
• Provides forensic nursing care in an objective manner to patients who have been injured through intentional and unintentional acts of violence and victimization, as well as those individuals considered to be suspects and perpetrators of crime. Plans, implements, evaluate and modifies independent nursing interventions related to the forensic nursing process for patients, families, communities and systems.
• Responsible for charting all forensic/medical information and injuries into SANE Software in a timely manner. Prepares and completes all necessary documentation in a clear and concise manner, utilizing appropriate methods(i.e. written narrative, diagrams and photographs). Accepts responsibility and accountability to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality. To include Obtains appropriate history, Identification of findings associated with intentional and unintentional injury, Performs evidence identification, preservation and collection, Maintains chain of custody of all potential evidence, Provides clear, objective, well-prepared fact and expert witness testimony in court, Maintains knowledge of community and state resources available to victims of crime, Demonstrates an awareness of case management process and optimal patient outcomes/discharge planning, Other necessary skills include the collection of laboratory specimens, the administration of medications, and performing routine and non-complex treatments and procedures as prescribed or indicated by the patient's condition.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations in dealing with fellow employees, supervisors, the public and patients so that departmental productivity and positive employee relations are maximized and a favorable image of the hospital is projected.

Qualifications Education

• Registered Nurse (Required)
• Bachelors Degree, Nursing (Preferred)

Experience

• Registered Nurse (Preferred)
• Trauma, critical care and pediatric experience (Preferred)

Licenses and Certifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) - Virginia Department of Health Professions (VDHP) (Required)
• CPR/BLS Certification - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/American Safety and Health Institute (AHA/ARC) (Required)

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