Forensic Nurse Examiner

Position Summary

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 for forensic nursing. Promotes optimal health, well-being, and safety through use of the nursing process and 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 providing 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 the 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
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• 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
• 2 years’ RN experience in any setting required; emergency, women’s health, or critical care experience preferred
• Licensed RN with a minimum 3 years’ patient‑facing RN experience at time of hire, ADN or diploma required; BSN or higher preferred
• All non‑BSN RN's with less than 3 years’ patient‑facing RN experience at time of hire are required to be enrolled in a baccalaureate (or higher) degree program in nursing within 1 year of employment, with completion within 3 years of hire
• 64‑hour combined adult/adolescent/pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner course required or completion of Kootenai Health training within 3 months of hire
• 16‑hour SANE clinical skills course required or completion of Kootenai Health training within 3 months of hire
• 24‑hours of forensic continuing education required annually
• Kootenai Health approved specialty certification required within 2 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 is a highly esteemed healthcare organization serving…