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.

Responsibilities

• 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

• Function independently with minimal oversight, utilizing strong critical thinking skills

• Maintain expertise and current knowledge in performing medical forensic exams related to forensic science, trauma-informed care, current legal laws and statues, any changing evidence collection procedures, and emerging trends

• Perform 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 participate in peer review, professional development, staff meetings, and ongoing continuing education as required

• Provide 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

Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

• 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

Working Conditions

• 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.

About Kootenai Health:

Kootenai Health is a highly esteemed healthcare organization serving patients throughout northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest. We have been recognized with many accolades and distinctions, including being a Gallup Great Workplace, No. 1 Best Place to Work in Large Healthcare Organizations, and Magnet™ Status for Nursing Excellence. We pride ourselves on our outstanding reputation as an employer and a healthcare provider.

As your next employer, we are excited to offer you:

• Kootenai Health offers comprehensive medical plan options, including options for fully paid employer premiums for our full-time employees. For part-time employees, we offer the same plan options with affordable part-time premiums. In addition to medical insurance, we offer many voluntary benefits ranging from dental and vision to life and pet insurance. Kootenai Health also offers well-being resources and telemedicine service options to all employees, regardless of benefit eligibility. Benefits begin on the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.

• Kootenai Health’s tuition assistance program is available after 90 days. If you want to further your education, we'll help you pay for it

• Kootenai Health sponsors retirement plans for employees that enable you to save money on a pre-tax and Roth after tax basis for your retirement. Kootenai Health will match your contributions based on years of service ranging from 3-6 percent.

• Competitive salaries with night, weekend, and PRN shift differentials

• An award-winning and incentive-driven wellness program. Including a MyHealth corporate team, onsite financial seminars, and coaching

• Employees receive discounts at The Wellness Bar, PEAK Fitness, and more

• Robust and interactive employee referral program

• And much more

If you strive to be an integral part of a high-quality healthcare system like Kootenai Health, we want to meet you!

Apply today! Please reach out to Grey Mora at tmora@kh.org or Front Desk 208-625-4620 or email careers@kh.org with any questions.

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.