Tex-TRAC Forensic Nurse

Job Title

Tex-TRAC Forensic Nurse

Agency

Texas A&M University Health Science Center

Department

College Of Nursing

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bryan, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

What we want

The Tex-TRAC forensic nurse is responsible for providing timely, non-judgmental, compassionate and trauma-informed care to patients requesting a medical forensic examination after a sexual assault via telehealth in partnership with an on-site clinician.
 

What you need to know

Responsibilities

Telehealth Forensic Nursing Encounters

• Provides direct patient care, patient evaluations, and treatment in accordance with Professional Nursing Standards.

• Assist patient and on-site clinician to navigate patient options including medications, reporting, and evidence collection through informed consent and informed declination.

• Mentor and support the on-site clinician as they provide a physical examination, collection of evidence, resource referrals, documentation, photography, and time with a confidential community-based advocate when available.

• Model Duffy’s Quality Caring behaviors including mutual problem solving, attentive reassurance, human respect, encouraging manner, appreciation of unique meaning, creating a healing environment, addressing basic human and affiliation needs.

• Take minimum amount of call required.

• Assist callers to the 1-800 number requesting TeleSANE consultation.

• Provides forensic nursing consultations in a compassionate, empathetic and non-judgmental fashion and provides support to crisis victims.

• Follow protocols established by program management and exercise professional judgment in utilizing and using the onsite nurse to the nursing process to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.

Reporting and Development

• Assists the Forensic Nurse Manager with the on-call schedule by assigning shifts to ensure coverage, final approval given by the Forensic Nurse Manager.

• Assists the Forensic Nurse Manager with protocols and procedure development.

• Assists the Forensic Nurse Manager with compiling reports as needed.

 

Administrative

• Participate in regular team meetings

• Case review for each encounter

• Regular check-ins with supervisor

• Testify in criminal court as a witness for consulted cases

• Maintain currency of practice

• Precept onboarding forensic nurses

• Attend Tex-TRAC trainings as required

Required Education and Experience

• Associate degree in Nursing or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Four years of previous experience as a forensic nurse and 100 adult/adolescent forensic patient encounters. Currency of practice as an adult/adolescent forensic nurse. Forensic nurse preceptor for adult/adolescent providers.

 

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Current RN license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas, including through a multistate (compact) license.

• SANE-A or CA-SANE certification

• CPR certified

• AFN-C certified

• License and certification must be maintained for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of issues related to sexual assault and exploitation, domestic violence, and child abuse, with particular expertise in sexual assault and its sequelae.

• Ability to comprehensively care for patients after sexual assault in an empowering manner, that includes treating patients with respect, withholding judgment, restoring a sense of control, offering options and comfort, and respecting patients’ decisions.

• Language and empathy skills necessary to effectively address victim blaming in patients, their companions, and staff.

• Practice philosophy aligned with Duffy’s Quality Caring Model.

• Fluency in teaching patients and providers about how trauma is neurobiologically expressed following a sexual assault.

• Proficiency in the operation of computers and general office software programs, including word-processing, spread sheet, and database software.

• Maintains flexibility; shows resilience when faced with difficult situations and fosters these qualities within the telehealth team.

• Presence and maturity to influence and lead others internally, as well as to represent the university positively.

• Ability to respond and provide services in a compassionate, empathetic and non-judgmental fashion and to provide support to crisis victims.

• Knowledge of applicable privacy laws including HIPAA, HI-TECH and VAWA.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

• Knowledge of standard nursing procedures and techniques.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to use and manage an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system.

• Ability to accept, incorporate, and offer constructive feedback.

• Willing to adopt team practices.

• Ability to be an effective mentor.

• Responsive to the needs of partners.

• Effectively organizes work to meet frequent and/or multiple deadlines and manages ambiguity well.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.