Forensic Nurse Examiner

Position Summary

Schedule/Shift/

Hours:

PRN (As Needed) - Variable.

Serves patients who are potential victims of crime presenting for care across the Kootenai Health organization. Care provided must be compassionate, trauma‑informed medical forensic care, to include appropriate follow up referrals. Acts as a community expert in forensic nursing and promotes optimal health, well‑being, and safety through use of the nursing process in accordance with patient care standards and the Idaho Nurse Practice Act.

Provides relationship‑based care as demonstrated by compassion for the patient, maintaining confidentiality, securing the chain of custody for evidence collection, and delivering trauma‑informed medical forensic care. Engages fully within nursing and inter‑professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision‑making to achieve quality patient care. Integrates best current evidence into clinical practice and uses data to monitor and improve outcomes of care processes.

Uses information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision‑making.

• Evaluates, plans, implements, and documents nursing care for an assigned patient population.
• Performs various patient tests and administers medications within the scope of practice of the registered nurse.
• Promotes patient’s independence by establishing patient care goals and teaching patient and family to understand condition, medications, and self‑care skills.
• Functions independently with minimal oversight, utilizing strong critical thinking skills.
• Maintains expertise and current knowledge in performing medical forensic exams related to forensic science, trauma‑informed care, current legal laws and statutes, any changing evidence collection procedures, and emerging trends.
• Performs a complete medical forensic exam, recognizing time‑sensitive nature of certain exam collections, including but not limited to obtaining a detailed history for the purpose of treatment/evidence collection, a detailed head‑to‑toe assessment, forensic photography, appropriate screenings, and follow‑up recommendations.
• Actively participates in peer review, professional development, staff meetings, and ongoing continuing education as required.
• Provides fact / expert witness testimony, as required.
• Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance, an essential job function.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Is competent to meet age‑specific needs of the unit assigned.

• Graduate of a nationally accredited nursing program required.
• State of Idaho registered nurse, or licensure pending as documented by temporary licensure, or current RN licensure from a state participating in the multistate privilege to practice compact with Idaho prior to start date.
• Two years’ RN experience in any setting required; emergency, women’s health, or critical care experience preferred.
• Licensed RN with a minimum of three years’ patient‑facing RN experience at the time of hire, ADN or diploma required; BSN or higher preferred.
• All non‑BSN RN’s with less than three years’ patient‑facing RN experience at the time of hire are required to be enrolled in a baccalaureate (or higher) degree program in nursing within one year of employment, with completion within three years of hire.
• 64‑hour combined adult/adolescent/pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner course required, or completion of Kootenai Health training within three months of hire.
• 16‑hour SANE clinical skills course required, or completion of Kootenai Health training within three months of hire.
• Twenty‑four hours of forensic continuing education required annually.
• Kootenai Health approved specialty certification required within two years of hire; SANE‑A, SANE‑P, GFN‑C preferred.
• BLS required.

• Must be able to lift and move up to 35 lbs.
• Must be able to maintain a standing position.
• Typical equipment used in a clinical job.
• Must be able to stoop, crouch, or bend.
• Must be able to push, pull, or transport heavy equipment.
• Must be able to assist in patient transfer.
• Exposure to needles, blood, and body fluids, etc.

Kootenai Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex. Kootenai Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex.