Job Description

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.

Requirements:

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 process. Prioritizes care based on the patient's needs, abilities and preferences. Advocates on patient/family's behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources.

• Provides patient teaching based on learning needs, uses appropriate resources, incorporating planning for care after discharge. Consistently evaluates the patient's comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly.

• Helps drive improvement of department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows the standards of care related to the nursing process, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document.

• Follows the standards related to regulatory requirements and professional practice as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Identifies areas of practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve core measure and patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation.

• Provides and modifies care to complex patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional team based on evaluation of the patient's condition, supported by accurate documentation. Utilizes clinical judgement, using an evidence-based analytical approach.

• Improves quality and safety scores on the unit-based scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional health care team.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Displays self-motivation to independently manage time effectively, timely document care, minimize incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks. Provides input into the unit resource utilization including unit capital and operational budget needs.

• Contributes towards meeting department financial targets on unit-based scorecard through decreasing length of stay, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies and presents areas for innovation, efficiency and improvement in patient care or unit operations using evidence-based practice literature. Offers innovative solutions through evidence-based practice/performance improvement projects and shared governance activities.

• Champions new care pathways or service line implementation to improve service to the community. Identifies trends for improvement opportunities or practice changes and supports initiatives. Researches the change and presents options to shared governance and leadership.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher from an accredited School of Nursing

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years of registered nurse experience in a healthcare environment

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 60 days OR
• RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 60 days AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) AND
• Other credentials and certifications as defined by unit/service line

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• Magnet - ANCC Recognized Certification -- in applicable specialty area

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations as defined in orientation checklist and annual departmental competency checklist

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Strong assessment, organizational and problem solving skills as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components

• Ability to function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team and patients and their families

• Uses critical thinking skills and clinical judgment to work autonomously as defined by the Nurse Practice Act

• Demonstrates proficient time management skills

• Maintains level of professional contributions as defined in Clinical Career Path program guide

• Working knowledge of Microsoft products including Outlook

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

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