Registered Nurse (RN) - Forensic Nurse Examiner - PRN 1st Shift

Overview

Note: Candidates with SANE certification strongly encouraged to apply.

 

At Houston Methodist, the Registered Nurse (RN) II - 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 II - 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

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

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

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care.

• Contributes to teamwork by awareness of overall unit acuity, consistently offering assistance, and responding positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Seeks guidance from and offers guidance to interprofessional health care team, when appropriate, and applies feedback to improve patient outcomes.

• Implements staff education specific to patient populations and unit processes; coaches and mentors other staff and students. May include preceptorship. Uses peer-to-peer accountability towards improvement of department score for turnover/retention/employee engagement on unit-based scorecard.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows the patient and family-centered care standards, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Conducts nursing assessments, assists with exams and treatment, and maintenance of medical records.

• Develops, updates and communicates plan of care, including discharge, in partnership with the patient, family and interprofessional health care team, using the nursing