Registered Nurse (RN) III - Forensic Nurse Examiner

Overview

Note: Candidates with SANE certification strongly encouraged to apply.

 

At Houston Methodist, the Registered Nurse (RN) III - Forensic Nurse is a licensed and experienced clinician who functions at the Competent to Proficient stage of Benner’s model of clinical practice. This role is responsible for delivering professional nursing care to a diverse patient population, combining medical expertise with investigative skills to provide specialized care for patients involved in criminal acts, including victims of assault, abuse, and trauma. The Forensic Nurse conducts medical forensic assessments, assists with exams and treatment, educates patients, and arranges follow-up care. Key responsibilities include assessing and documenting injuries, collecting and preserving forensic evidence, providing courtroom testimony, and collaborating with law enforcement and legal professionals. This position provides direct patient care effectively and efficiently, addressing patients with varied and complex needs. The RN III - Forensic Nurse works closely with physicians and an interprofessional healthcare team to coordinate and deliver high-quality, compassionate care that meets desired treatment outcomes. This role requires clinical competence in trauma-informed care, SANE Certification, the use of technology, including forensic photography, medication administration, procedures, and emergency management. Acting as a patient and family advocate, the Forensic Nurse ensures patient rights are upheld. This position also involves progressive leadership responsibilities, requiring excellent communication and critical-thinking skills. May possibly contribute to service line or hospital-wide initiatives and education in partnership with management, and the ability to work under pressure in high-stress situations while maintaining professionalism and compassion is essential.

Houston Methodist Standard

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies staff development opportunities for professional growth of colleagues, provides coaching to meet identified goals. Acts as a model and coaches staff in effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication, which includes active listening and teaching. Provides oversight for student/new employee preceptorships.

• Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment such as mitigation of conflict. Advocates for a balanced workload, promotes positive behaviors, and peer-to-peer accountability.

• Improves nurse satisfaction by serving as a role model and mentor, facilitating teamwork with RNs, non-licensed and interprofessional staff, as evidenced by the annual RN-RN teamwork score and interprofessional relationship score. Provides recommendations to improve department scores for turnover/retention.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads the patient and family-centered care standards, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Mentors others regarding specialty populations.

• Develops, updates, and communicates plan of care, including discharge, in partnership with the patient, family and interprofessional health care team, using the nursing process. Prioritizes care based on the patient's needs, abilities, and preferences. Advocates on patient/family's behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns