Job Title: Forensic Nurse

Employment Type: Full-Time

Start Date: Flexible

Contract Length: 6–8-month CTH

JOB SUMMARY

Serves as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary response team serving patients with concerns of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation, physical assault or otherwise impacted by violence. Provides forensic nursing care and referrals. Positions at this level are assigned to perform the more complex and sensitive duties in the healthcare field. Judgment must be exercised in analyzing facts or circumstances surrounding issues. Work often requires development of recommendations and independent actions consistent with policies, general directives, and both local and national forensic nurse guidelines. Discretion is required in the application of procedures and guidelines and in selection of appropriate resources for use in accomplishing assigned work. Reports to the Forensic Nurse Manager.

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Performs medical forensic examinations of minor children and adolescents reporting abuse and neglect.
• Performs medical forensic examinations of adolescents and adults reporting sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation or other interpersonal violence.
• Assesses the status of the patient and addresses acute medical concerns and stabilization of the patient; completes thorough medical history, assault history and a detailed physical examination, including systems review and developmental status.
• Collects evidence, samples, and labs as needed during the medical forensic exam.
• Manages patient care
• Conducts counseling regarding sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, injury care, and strangulation dangers, and patient and family safety.
• Administers preventative medications.
• Collaborates with patient, their family and healthcare team.
• Completes medical documentation, including photo-documentation of injuries during the medical forensic exam
• Maintains chain of custody for all evidence.
• Performs post mortem sexual assault exams as requested by the Chief Medical Examiner.
• Performs medical forensic examinations on patients incarcerated at the Pinal County Adult Detention facility
• Performs quality assurance chart reviews for patients incarcerated in the Pinal County Jail and Juvenile Detention Facility.
• Provides fact or expert testimony in court trials per subpoena.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records and restricted County information.
• Ability to work any shift, any day of the week, to include weekends.
• Ability to respond in person to any location in Pinal County within 90 minutes of a call to initiate a medical forensic exam.
• Promotes and adheres to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing
• Have practiced for a minimum of two (2) years as a Registered Nurse (RN)
• Valid Driver’s License with Arizona Driver’s License within 30 days of hire.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

Required Certificates:

• Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing with a valid unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse issued by the Arizona State Board of Nursing (or a state recognized by licensure compact).
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Successful completion of the 40 hour didactic course on Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Pediatrics (SANE-P) (content approved by the International Association of Forensic Nursing) within 60 days of hire
• Successful completion of the 40 hour didactic course, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Adolescent/Adult (SANE-A) (content approved by the International Association of Forensic Nursing) within 60 days of hire.

Preferred Requirements:

• SANE-A and SANE-P certification
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Experience as forensic nurse
• Experience testifying in criminal or civil matters
• Experience in working collaboratively with community partners such as victim advocates, other healthcare providers or criminal justice system professionals
• Preceptorship of a minimum of 36 hours of clinical—onsite at a forensics nurse program