Registered Nurse; RN - Forensic Nurse Examiner; Grant Funded - St. Vincent Medical Center

Overview

Thank you for considering a career at Mercy Health!

Scheduled Weekly

Hours:

36

Work Shift: Evening/Night shifts (United States of America)

The Forensic Registered Nurse (RN) is a highly specialized professional who leverages dedicated education and training to deliver comprehensive, trauma-informed nursing care. They operate with increasing independence, utilizing the nursing process, current evidence-based clinical knowledge, and the International Association of Forensic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA & IAFN 2016). The core function is to provide professional nursing care for patients across the lifespan who have been affected by crime, unlawful acts, trauma, and intentional or unintentional harm.

This role requires integrating nursing science with criminal justice, public health, and forensic science. The Forensic Nurse applies a trauma-informed approach to assess the medical-legal needs of patients, collaborating with the health team to coordinate care, anticipate nursing intervention outcomes, and set criteria for quality care. The position requires mobility and adaptability as the RN will travel to and provide services at various hospital facilities within the system to meet patient needs.

• 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 at discharge.
• Administers 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 including medical professionals, community and system-based advocates, social services workers, faith leaders, law enforcement, and legal practitioners.
• Maintains departmental quality assurance through active participation in monthly peer and case reviews, ensuring 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, including identification, management, and prevention of injuries and death.
• Provides care across the lifespan and integrates forensic and nursing sciences for populations affected by violence, trauma, or death including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, elder abuse, and other forms of violence.
• Provides episodic care for populations affected by trauma, including 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 prevention, detection, and treatment of violence effects.
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for ethical/legal functioning.
• Travel to multiple hospital facilities within the system as scheduled or required by patient need.
• Practices in accordance with the core concepts and intention of the BSMH Nursing Professional Practice Model.

• Assigns patient care according to nursing skill, knowledge, and scope of practice.
• Orients, facilitates learning experiences, and provides education to nursing staff and others.
• Maintains clinical knowledge and competency for evidence-based patient care per current standards and policy.
• Performs comprehensive assessment of patient condition and psychosocial needs.
• Safely develops, implements, and prioritizes plan of care; applies the nursing process in patient care delivery.
• Assesses physical and emotional responses to treatment and revises the plan of care accordingly.
• Supports patients and families in coping with illness; collaborates with others for coordinated care.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills; applies cultural diversity and inclusion principles.
• Recognizes limitations and seeks assistance when needed; pursues ongoing professional growth.
• Maintains professionalism and accountability; models stewardship of resources; practices self-care and resilience in challenging circumstances.
• Manages vicarious trauma through peer support and organizational resources; protects safety and privacy of all persons.
• Utilizes office and clinical technologies; communicates effectively with patients in understandable terms.
• Documents accurately; maintains ethical, legal, and privacy guidelines; demonstrates proficiency in forensic photography and specialized visualization equipment (e.g., Alternate Light Sources).
• Applies contemporary forensic nursing evidence-based practice and participates in data collection and policy development relevant to forensic nursing.

• Current RN license in…