HCSS Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Registered Nurse)

University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)•Galveston, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a per diem position for a proficient clinician whose practice is characterized by a balance of interdependent/independent decision-making and a consistent holistic approach to patient care. The role involves utilizing specialized training, knowledge, and skills to proficiently assess and identify actual and potential nursing patient care needs to provide comprehensive care for sexual assault patients. This includes demonstrating competency in conducting the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination with evidence collection, adhering to the Texas Protocol for forensic evidence collection, and staying updated on techniques for evidence collection and storage. The position requires accurate, concise, and legible documentation, and the ability to complete suspect patient examinations while maintaining chain of custody. The role also involves testifying in court, potentially as an expert witness, and implementing an individualized approach to provide compassion and understanding to patients of sexual assault. The nurse will act as a patient/family advocate, assess readiness to learn, implement teaching strategies, and be aware of community resources. Functions include working independently and as a team member, identifying learning needs, promoting a professional demeanor, participating in preceptorship, serving as a forensic resource and liaison, and collaborating with various agencies and the interdisciplinary team. The role also involves community education, collaboration with the Forensic Nursing Team Program Coordinator and medical director, attending training and conferences for professional growth and recertification, utilizing research and quality improvement, performing point of care testing, and maintaining a clean, safe environment with proper aseptic technique. Adherence to policies, procedures, legislation, and standard medication orders for prophylaxis is expected, along with other related duties.

Requirements

Registered Nurse for two or more years.
Registered Nurse licensed to practice in the State of Texas.
Registered Nurse license in good standing with no disciplinary action by the Board of Nursing.
Documented clinical competency and professional accountability.
Completed the Texas Certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training by the Texas Office of the Attorney General
Certification in Pediatric and Adult Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
OR Completed at least 80 hours of sexual assault training approved by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas and Enrolled in the UTMB Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Preceptor Program and in the process of completing the clinical aspect of the certification process as per OAG requirements.
Maintain educational and Case review requirements and documentation to complete re-certification every two years for Certification in Pediatric and Adult Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
Digital imaging training.
Show competency in point of care testing and quality requirements for testing.
Vision, hearing, talking and sense of touch abilities must be adequate to enable one to accurately assess the patient, read small print(rulers), to observe detail of injuries, assess patient behavior

Nice To Haves

Preferred Emergency Room experience however not essential.
Colposcope and digital camera equipment.

Responsibilities

Submit paperwork to the OAG prior to expiration date.
Using specialized training, knowledge, and skills, to proficiently assess, identify actual and potential nursing patient care needs to provide comprehensive care for the sexual assault patients.
Demonstrate competency in conducting the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination with evidence collection on a sexual assault patient.
Proficiently and consistently completes accurate, concise, and legible documentation on all patient forensic records (written, illustrated and photo-imaging) and hospital records.
Be prepared to complete a suspect patient examination.
Proficient in maintaining chain of custody.
Prepared to testify in court and possibly be an expert witness.
Implements and promotes individualized approach to provide compassion and understanding.
Demonstrates caring, compassion, and sensitivity to the patients of sexual assault.
Safely and proficiently provides age appropriate and culturally sensitive nursing care to sexual assault patients.
Actively serves as a patient / family advocate consistently focuses on patient / family rights and meeting their individual needs
Proficiently assess the patient / family readiness to learn, implement appropriate teaching strategies and evaluate understanding of information / instructions given.
Functions independently and as a supportive team member of the Forensic Nursing Team.
Identifies learning needs of self and others.
Puts needs of others above his / hers own through accountability , compassion, integrity, and respect
Promotes and displays a professional verbal and nonverbal demeanor
Participate in preceptorship of new sexual assault nurse examiners.
Serves as a forensic resource for the hospital staff.
Serves as a Liaison to community agencies.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team consisting of: Law Enforcement, Protective Services, Resource & Crisis Center, Child Advocacy Center, and District Attorney’s Office.
Participate in community education.
Collaborate with Forensic Nursing Team Program Coordinator and medical director.
Attend Sexual Assault training, conferences and case review for education and recertification requirements as per OAG guidelines.
Attend conferences to pursue ongoing professional growth opportunities and share with forensic nurses and other staff members.
Accepts responsibility for own growth development.
Utilizes sexual assault nursing research and quality improvement to enhance practice.
Performs and reports point of care testing.
Provides and maintains a clean safe environment, performs proper aseptic technique preventing cross contamination of DNA from one patient to another.
Adheres to internal controls established for the department
Performs other related duties as required.