Forensic Nurse Job Description

Forensic Nurse Job Description

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Forensic nurse provides patient care in a compassionate and empathetic manner; demonstrates knowledge of age-specific considerations in the provision of care.

Forensic Nurse Duties & Responsibilities

To write an effective forensic nurse job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included forensic nurse job description templates that you can modify and use.

Sample responsibilities for this position include:

Meets the needs of the patients experiencing violence by providing timely, comprehensive, compassionate, culturally sensitive, and expert forensic evaluation and treatment
The forensic nurse is accountable for professional practice, including independent nursing functions as the leader of a patient care partnership
Under the direction of the Nurse Manager/Director provides supervision of associates in their service areas to ensure 24/7 accountability
Follows policies, procedures, and protocols for the program including signing a contract to provide Forensic Nurse commitment
Competes detailed history of the forensic assault and assessment of injuries
Conducts and documents a forensic examination
Collaborates with the ED physician, social worker, advocates, ED nurse and law enforcement of the jurisdiction of the assault
Provides appropriate community referral for the patient that has experienced intentional violence according to the needs of the patient
Follow-up with patient after discharge to assure the needs of the patient have been met and if additional referrals are needed for ongoing medical/psychological care
Testifies in court as summoned

Forensic Nurse Qualifications

Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.

Licensing or Certifications for Forensic Nurse

List any licenses or certifications required by the position: BLS, ACLS, SANE, CPR, AHA, S.A.F.E, RN, FNE

Education for Forensic Nurse

Typically a job would require a certain level of education.

Employers hiring for the forensic nurse job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Associate Degree in Nursing, Associates, Healthcare, Public Health, Graduate, Education, Administration, Public Administration, School of Nursing, Healthcare Administration

Skills for Forensic Nurse

Desired skills for forensic nurse include:

Health care environment
Patient’s age and cultural diversity in the provision of patient care

Desired experience for forensic nurse includes:

Completes detailed history of the forensic assault and assessment of injuries
Be responsible for providing the comprehensive medical-forensic examination of adult and adolescent patients reporting a history of interpersonal violence, such as sexual assault or domestic violence
Respond as appropriate to patients reporting a history of interpersonal violence in conjunction with team members from law enforcement and advocacy agencies
Complete a medical history with patients to obtain a bio/psycho/social/spiritual history, including a history of the events leading up to reporting for care
Document the episode of care in the patient's medical-forensic record and communicate overall findings of the exam with team members
Perform follow-up exams as determined by patient needs and department policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols

Forensic Nurse Examples

1

Forensic Nurse Job Description

Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking to fill the role of forensic nurse. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for forensic nurse
  • The SANE is accountable for professional practice, including independent nursing functions as the leader of a patient care partnership
  • The Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) demonstrates performance consistent with professional forensic nursing standards of practice, care, and performance, the Nurse Practice Act and the mission and goals of the organization
  • Provides forensic examinations and nursing services for victims of violence
  • Is responsible for collecting and preserving forensic specimens while maintaining the chain of custody
  • Meets the needs of patients experiencing violence by providing timely, comprehensive, compassionate, culturally sensitive, and expert forensic evaluation and treatment
  • Takes a medical history and account of the assault from the patient
  • Provides direct nursing care of injuries and prophylactic medications
  • Communicates with victims and their families regarding evidence collection, treatment recommendations and reporting to law enforcement (except in cases of mandated reporting)
  • Perform lab testing for patients based on the medical-forensic history provided by the patient
  • Meets the needs of patients experiencing violence in their lives by providing timely, comprehensive, compassionate, culturally sensitive, and expert forensic evaluation and treatment
Qualifications for forensic nurse
  • Current Colorado License RN
  • Minimum of two years of Emergency, ICU or Sexual Assault Pediatric experience is required
  • Must complete the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners training program and obtain a Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner certification within one year of employment
  • Minimum of 1-year clinical experience as a direct care provider in the operating room required
  • AHA healthcare provider CPR
  • KS and MO State RN License, BLS, ACLS, TNCC
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Forensic Nurse Job Description

Job Description Example
Our growing company is looking for a forensic nurse. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for forensic nurse
  • If pre-menarchal and assault > 72 hours, evidence collection may or may not be warranted depending on totality of circumstances and the SANE will be expected to use good judgment and discretion in these cases to decide whether or not evidence collection should occur
  • Depending on the totality of the circumstances, the Examiner may decide that an acute exam is still warranted even past the 168 hour mark
  • Medical-legal interview including the initial screening interview, identification, documentation and medical team consult for injury care
  • Collaboration and case management with Child Protection, Adult Protection, Social Work, (if needed)
  • Follow the Holiday and Minimum Hour Requirement for casual examiners
  • Meet the minimum of 40 hours of on-call availability
  • Complete a medical history with patients to obtain a bio/psycho/social/spiritual history, including a history of the events leading up to reporting for care while implementing care/services that recognize age/diversity specific needs/issues of customers served
  • Perform the medical-forensic exam utilizing department policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines
  • Follow the Centers for Disease Control Sexually Transmitted Disease Guidelines, department policies/procedures/guidelines/protocols, and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services for the provision of counseling and instruction for emergency contraception and STI prevention and screening
  • Follow the department policies/procedures/guidelines/protocols, and the State of Alaska mandatory reporting requirements and notifications of reportable positive STI’s
Qualifications for forensic nurse
  • SANE-A – Preferred but not required
  • Nursing experience with sexual assault/survivors or victims of violence is preferred
  • Sensitivity and tact in dealing with victims of sexual assault
  • Become involved in professional activities as evidenced by active participation in Nursing Shared Governance Councils/Committees or professional organizations
  • Maintains a current knowledge base through participation in appropriate professional activities
  • Performs all other related tasks as necessary or directed by manager
3

Forensic Nurse Job Description

Job Description Example
Our growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of forensic nurse. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for forensic nurse
  • Responsible for interviewing, hiring, orienting, counseling and evaluating all SANE program colleagues
  • Responsible for the development, coordination and evaluation of educational activities related to the SANE program
  • Serves as a role model in patient care areas and provides a high level of clinical expertise specifically regarding victims of sexual assault
  • Develops and maintains appropriate departmental polices related to the SANE program
  • Collects statistics related to SANE patients and conducts regular chart audits for all hospital facilities as required by state regulations, The Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies
  • Receives and coordinates subpoenas directed to the SANE team
  • Works collaboratively with law enforcement, Attorney General’s Office and local victims services
  • Works directly with Crime and Trauma assistance programs for those patients in need of financial assistance and follow up with billing
  • Participates in long range planning, goal setting, program development and evaluation for the SANE program
  • Develops, recommends and implements goals and policies for the resource management of the SANE program including budgeting allocation of human resources, capital expenses, physical facilities and supplies
Qualifications for forensic nurse
  • Performs photo-documentation utilizing digital SLR camera
  • Is able to utilize video documentation to obtain a detailed assessment of sexual trauma
  • Is able to testify in court in a professional and objective manner
  • Graduate from a physician assistant program accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) of the American Medical Association
  • Valid and Unrestricted license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Delaware (IF PA Candidate)
  • Active Delaware Advanced Practice Nurse Licensure required (IF APN Candidate)
4

Forensic Nurse Job Description

Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking to fill the role of forensic nurse. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for forensic nurse
  • Serves on the community Sexual Assault Committee as a Board member
  • Completes public speaking engagements and participates in community events as needed
  • Provides and coordinates primary health care for children from birth to eighteen years of age
  • Maintains a current knowledge base through participation in appropriate professional activities, conferences and organizations
  • Diagnoses and treats common childhood illnesses, and follows up to evaluate response to treatment
  • Identifies child/family need for further resources and initiates appropriate referrals
  • Acts as a role model to other members of the health care team
  • Provide crisis intervention during the initial review and an assessment of injury
  • Objectively document history to determine the bio/psycho/social risk and the risk of medical sequelae
  • Objective document history of the crime
Qualifications for forensic nurse
  • Certification of completion of 16 hour SANE Clinical Skills Lab (CSL) training
  • Two years of Emergency, ICU or Sexual Assault Pediatric experience
  • Must complete a training program for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
  • Must complete Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certification within 1 year of hire date
  • Must be able to use a digital camera
  • Minimum 3 years of recent acute care clinical experience as a registered nurse required
5

Forensic Nurse Job Description

Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking for a forensic nurse. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for forensic nurse
  • Delegate the role of patient advocate to a rape crisis volunteer
  • Provide medical and psychological follow-up referrals
  • Maintain contact with the SAFE Coordinator and Advisory Board in reviews meetings and be available if requested
  • Respond to any subpoenas on cases examined while associated with the SAFE program
  • Assist with education of Police, ED Staff, State Attorney’s Office and the community
  • Attend 70% of SAFE monthly meetings (8 per year)
  • Share on-call responsibilities with other SAFE members insuring coverage 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
  • Interviews and selects new hires and ensures new hires are properly trained
  • Administers prescribed medications, and notes times and amounts on individuals’ charts
  • Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care plans
Qualifications for forensic nurse
  • Minimum 2 years of recent clinical forensic nursing experience required
  • Current BLS, ACLS, TNCC, and ENPC (or PALS) preferred
  • Completion of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner course in accordance with the International Association of Forensic Nurses Education Guidelines is required
  • Certification as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for Adults and Adolescent (SANE-A) by the International Association of Forensic Nurses required within 2 years of accepting this position
  • Certification as a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) preferred
  • Graduation from an accredited nursing education program approved by the Board of Nursing or found by the Board to be substantially equivalent to the programs in Maryland

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