Forensic Nurse Examiner - PRN

Frederick Health•Frederick, MD

About The Position

The Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) provides patient care to adults, adolescents, and children affected by sexual assault or abuse, child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, elder abuse, strangulation, and other related forensic issues. The FNE team provides compassionate, culturally sensitive, comprehensive assessments, evidence collection, chain-of-custody procedures, and documentation. The examiner collaborates with law enforcement and child and elder advocacy programs, testifies as an expert witness in court, and provides education and community outreach while interfacing with medical professionals, criminal justice partners, victim advocacy organizations, and other support agencies serving victims of crime and violence. The FNE independently provides care using the nursing process and performs leadership and teaching duties to support effective patient care. The role includes participating in continuous quality improvement, following applicable state and federal licensing and regulatory requirements, and supporting Frederick Health’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, compliance program, and Standards of Behavior. This is a grant-funded PRN opportunity requiring a minimum of 40 hours on call per four-week schedule, including night and weekend coverage. The schedule is flexible, and the FNE must help ensure 24-hour program coverage. The position requires at least two years of acute-care RN experience, including experience in emergency medicine and/or maternal-child health. The RN must be currently certified by the Maryland Board of Nursing as an FNE or become eligible and obtain certification within the first six months. The role also requires CPR certification and ongoing continuing education, including at least 16 hours in forensic science and/or forensic nursing during the Maryland Board of Nursing’s two-year renewal cycle. The position involves medium-heavy physical work, including occasional lifting of up to 75 pounds and carrying up to 35 pounds while walking. It has exposure to blood and body fluids, infectious diseases, hazardous materials, and technical and heavy equipment.

Requirements

Current license as a registered nurse in the State of Maryland.
At least two years of registered nursing experience in emergency medicine and/or maternal-child health.
Eligible for Maryland Board of Nursing Forensic Nurse Examiner certification within the first six months in the position, or currently certified as an FNE, FNE-Adolescent/Adult, and FNE-Pediatric, as applicable.
Current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
At least 16 continuing education hours in forensic science and/or forensic nursing during the Maryland Board of Nursing two-year renewal cycle.
Meet mandatory education requirements and maintain current Maryland Board of Nursing FNE certification.
Minimum of 40 on-call hours per four-week schedule, including night and weekend coverage, and willingness to help maintain 24-hour program coverage.

Responsibilities

Identify patient needs, prioritize treatment, and recognize, document, and communicate changes in patient condition.
Conduct initial and ongoing patient assessments in accordance with organizational and department standards; anticipate changes and respond appropriately.
Perform complete evidentiary examinations according to protocol, with thorough documentation and chain-of-custody procedures.
Develop individualized nursing plans of care based on patient needs and available family, caregiver, clinical, and community resources.
Organize and prioritize care, seek assistance when needed, and implement and document interventions and patient responses.
Communicate pertinent information to patients and the health care team in a timely and concise manner.
Adapt to patient assignments and department or hospital-wide needs based on staff skills and patient-care demands.
Notify law enforcement about felony crimes when they have not already been notified.
Help ensure 24-hour coverage for the FNE program.
Review and document intervention effectiveness, revise care plans as needed, and identify variances from expected outcomes and appropriate referrals.
Evaluate equipment, policies, procedures, and programs, and participate in developing standards of care.
Assess patient and family learning needs, barriers, readiness, and relevant cultural, religious, financial, and personal preferences.
Develop and deliver individualized or standardized patient and family teaching, evaluate its effectiveness, document it, and communicate progress and follow-up needs to the care team.
Integrate discharge planning and referrals into patient and family education, and support less experienced staff with teaching.
Attend required education programs and maintain required continuing education, including forensic nursing or forensic science education.
Maintain current Maryland Board of Nursing FNE certification and incorporate self-development and performance feedback into practice.
Delegate effectively, mentor staff, follow program policies, and participate in department orientation.
Prepare and present education for staff and the community according to department guidelines.
Collaborate with law enforcement, advocacy programs, medical professionals, criminal justice partners, victim advocacy, and external support agencies.
Provide education and outreach to the community and testify as an expert witness in court.