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

Forensic RN - St. Vincent Medical Center

The Forensic Registered Nurse (RN) has a specialized education and training who, with increasing independence, utilizes the nursing process, current evidence-based clinical knowledge, and the International Association of Forensic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA & IAFN 2016) to provide professional nursing care for patients across the life-span who have been affected by crime, unlawful acts, trauma, and intentional and unintentional harm.

The Forensic Nurse integrates knowledge of nursing science, criminal justice, public health, and forensic science and utilizes a trauma-informed approach to assess the medical-legal 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.

In collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, conducts initial and ongoing patient assessment, analyzes assessment data, creates a plan of care, implements treatment, and evaluates treatment effectiveness and safety planning throughout the process and inisters medications in a safe manner, consistent with the State of Practice and Bon Secours Mercy Health policies and procedures. Serves as point of contact for patients' care coordination throughout hospital departments.

Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams composed of medical professionals, community and system-based advocates, social services workers, faith community leaders, law enforcement, and legal practitioners. Maintains 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. Applies 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.

Provides episodic care for populations affected by trauma, including those legally defined as victims, suspects, the accused, and perpetrators. Acts as a patient safety advocate by participating in ongoing quality improvement in the department. Assesses the need for and implements unit-based activities (quality assessment, in-services, etc.). Provides education to patients, staff, communities, and populations in the prevention, detection, and treatment of the effects of violence.

Accepts responsibility and accountability for ethical/legal functioning. 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.

Bachelor of Science Nursing (required). Current RN license in state they are working or covered by compact (required). Valid State Driver's License (required) BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire, required to obtain from an approved source prior to providing direct patient care) Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A) - International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) (obtained in one year) Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Pediatric (SANE-P) - International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) (obtained in one year) General/Advanced Forensic Nursing Certification (GFN-C) (AFN-C) (obtained in one year) 2 years of RN experience (required).

Assigns patient care according to the nursing skill, knowledge, and scope of practice of staff. Orients, facilitates learning experience, and provides education (based upon quality improvement indicators, outcomes, and implementation) to nursing staff and others. Possesses 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. Performs comprehensive assessment of patient's clinical condition and psychosocial needs of the patient and their supportive resources.

Safely and efficiently develops, implements, and prioritizes plan of care. Application of the nursing process in patient care delivery. Assesses patient's physical and emotional responses to treatment to evaluate effectiveness of intervention and patient outcomes; revises plan of care accordingly. Assists patient and family in coping with patient's illness. Collaborates with others in the delivery of coordinated patient care. Strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.

International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) didactic training for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Forensic Nursing program (obtained in one year) Generalist/Advanced Forensic Nursing didactic course (obtained in one year) Pediatric/Adolescent/Adult Case Review.

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