Forensic Registered Nurse (RN) - Forensic Nursing - St. Vincent Medical Center - PRN

Mercy Health is seeking a Forensic Registered Nurse (RN) for a PRN position at St. Vincent Medical Center. This specialized role provides professional nursing care to patients across the lifespan who have been affected by crime, unlawful acts, trauma, and intentional and unintentional harm. The Forensic RN integrates knowledge of nursing science, criminal justice, public health, and forensic science to assess medical-legal needs, coordinate patient care, and apply a trauma-informed approach to care delivery.

Clinical Setting

This position is based in the Forensic Nursing department at St. Vincent Medical Center and may require travel to multiple hospital facilities within the system's service area as scheduled or required by patient need.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial and ongoing patient assessments, analyze assessment data, create plans of care, implement treatment, and evaluate treatment effectiveness and safety planning throughout the process and at discharge in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team
• Administer medications safely and consistently with state practice standards and Bon Secours Mercy Health policies and procedures
• Serve as point of contact for patients' care coordination throughout hospital departments
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including medical professionals, community and system-based advocates, social services workers, faith community leaders, law enforcement, and legal practitioners
• Maintain departmental quality assurance through active participation in monthly peer and case reviews, ensuring all forensic documentation and care align with ANA and IAFN (2016) standards
• Apply the nursing process to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations affected by violence and trauma, including identification, management, and prevention of intentional and unintentional injuries and death
• Provide care to populations affected by physical, psychological, or social violence, trauma, or death including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, physical abuse, maltreatment, neglect, elder abuse, vulnerable persons, and violence resulting in injury or death
• Provide episodic care for populations affected by trauma, including those legally defined as victims, suspects, the accused, and perpetrators
• Act as a patient safety advocate by participating in ongoing quality improvement in the department
• Assess the need for and implement unit-based activities including quality assessment and in-services
• Provide education to patients, staff, communities, and populations in the prevention, detection, and treatment of the effects of violence
• Accept responsibility and accountability for ethical and legal functioning
• Practice and deliver care in accordance with the core concepts and intention of the BSMH Nursing Professional Practice Model

Schedule

• PRN (as-needed) position
• Minimum of 3 shifts per 6-week schedule
• Evenings and nights
• This is a union collective bargaining unit position

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Current RN license in the state where working or covered by compact
• Valid state driver's license
• Minimum 2 years of RN experience

Licenses and Certifications

• BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire, required prior to providing direct patient care)
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A) from the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) (must be obtained within one year)
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Pediatric (SANE-P) from the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) (must be obtained within one year)
• General/Advanced Forensic Nursing Certification (GFN-C or AFN-C) (must be obtained within one year)

Training

• International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) didactic training for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Forensic Nursing program (must be obtained within one year)
• Generalist/Advanced Forensic Nursing didactic course (must be obtained within one year)
• Pediatric/Adolescent/Adult Case Review

Required Skills and Abilities

• Assign patient care according to the nursing skill, knowledge, and scope of practice of staff
• Orient, facilitate learning experiences, and provide education to nursing staff and others based on quality improvement indicators, outcomes, and implementation
• Possess clinical knowledge, skills, and competency to provide evidence-based patient care in accordance with current standards of practice, policy, procedure, and BSMH mission
• Perform comprehensive assessment of patient's clinical condition and psychosocial needs and supportive resources
• Safely and efficiently develop, implement, and prioritize plans of care
• Apply the nursing process in patient care delivery
• Assess patient's physical and emotional responses to treatment to evaluate intervention effectiveness and patient outcomes; revise plan of care accordingly
• Assist patients and families in coping with illness
• Collaborate with others in the delivery of coordinated patient care
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive pay and incentives
• Referral bonuses
• 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• HSA/FSA options
• Life insurance
• Mental health resources and discounts
• Paid time off
• Parental and FMLA leave
• Short- and long-term disability
• Backup care for children and elders
• Tuition assistance
• Professional development and continuing education support

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment status.