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Provides a timely medical/forensic examination of the sexual assault patient using a compassionate and victim sensitive approach.  Provides timely photo-documentation with a compassionate approach.  Serves under the supervision of the CARE Team Clinical Coordinator and Senior Director of Emergency and Intensive Services. 

• Minimum of 3 years clinical experience in emergency and/or maternal or pediatric health care. Successful completion of the Forensic Nurse Examiner training within 9 months of employment. 
• Texas RN license or compact state required. BSN preferred. BLS required. 

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB:

The Forensic Nurse (RN) is a professional Registered Nurse who provides direct nursing care to the assigned patient population.  The forensic nurse, utilizing the nursing process, plans and delivers effective patient care within the Texas scope of practice and within the framework of Driscoll Health System's vision of excellence and integrated care delivery.  The forensic nurse complies within the established standards of practice, policies, and clinical guidelines reflective of evidence-based best practice. The practice of the forensic nurse contributes to creating an environment that is patient focused; family centered and is designed to provide continuation of care and patient transition management.

The forensic nurse provides a timely medical/forensic examination of the sexual assault patient using a compassionate and victim sensitive approach.  Provides timely photo-documentation with a compassionate approach. The forensic nurse serves under the supervision of the CARE Team Clinical Coordinator and Senior Director of Emergency and Intensive Services.  The forensic nurse operates within the framework of Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s Mission Statement and Core Values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; employees will perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.

• Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times.
• Adheres to hospital policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines. 
• Serves as Forensic Nurse Examiner on duty and on call as scheduled.
• Serves as a member of the Multidisciplinary Team.
• Performs within scope of nursing practice and within hospital nursing policies.  Performs duties as assigned.
• Maintains forensic documentation.
• Maintains forensic photo documentation.

COMMUNICATION - Conveys information and shares ideas using the appropriate techniques to reach different audiences; promotes understanding and open information sharing. Listens actively; solicits and gives constructive and honest feedback.  Is sensitive to the needs, feelings, and ideas of others.  Develops and maintains rapport with others.

• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patient and family using individualized interventions to ensure patient comfort and dignity.
• Identifies barriers to learning, develops and implements plans based on assessed patient/family needs.
• Uses clear, closed loop communication that enhances team information sharing and decision making.
• Uses chain of command to obtain appropriate health care response as an advocate for the patient.
• Functions as a patient/family   advocate, seeking direction as needed to provide safe, effective, efficient,  and timely care.
• Initiates appropriate referrals to the healthcare   team based on assessed patient needs.
• Documents   timely and accurately in the electronic medical record to reflect patients'  plan of care and response to interventions.

COMMMUNITY

• Serves as a liaison and advocate with community programs and agencies related to health, social welfare, and community support.  
• Provides education to school personnel, students, and the community as requested. Works with staff from outside agencies to ensure quality care along the continuum.
• Testifies in court regarding child abuse and/or neglect.

 CUSTOMER/PATIENT FOCUS:

• Understands    and anticipates the needs of both internal and external customers. Meets customer needs while remaining a good steward of organizational   resources.
• Performs  initial  and ongoing  focused  assessments   to identify  actual, potential  and critical  changes  in the patient's   condition  and follows  through  with appropriate  reporting  and actions.
• Develops,  implements, and modifies an individualized   plan of care that reflects cultural aspects as appropriate of illness/hospitalization to meet patient needs and diagnoses.
• Prioritizes, plans, organizes and directs care of assigned patients.
• Involves the patient and family in healthcare decisions and care as appropriate.
• Evaluates   arid reports   pertinent patient response to interventions   based on evidence-based   best practice.
• Administers   medications   and other therapeutic treatments per clinical guidelines and orders; recognizes abnormal responses to medication therapy and initiates   corrective therapy.
• Intervenes   appropriately   after correlating clinical picture to therapeutic treatment plan.
• Selects and utilizes   appropriate equipment,   devices, and supplies based on the patient's   needs and treatment plan.
• Ensures the correct functioning   of equipment   identifies   deficits and reports appropriately.
• Participates   in clinical research by following specific protocols

TEAMWORK:

• Fully participates   in maintaining   a positive team environment that is conducive to customer satisfaction.  
• Build trust among co-workers, focusing on accomplishing   hospital and departmental   goals.  
• Works effectively with a diverse group of people in pursuit of the organization's goals.
• Shifts personal goals when necessary to focus on group objectives.
• Looks for ways to help others and to support their work.  Initiates warm transfer techniques   to refer customer service concerns to the right individual; does not display “it's.  not my job" attitude.