Forensic Examiner (Casual) - HART

SUMMARY

Hennepin Assault Response Team (HART) has casual, non benefit earning opportunities currently available.   Must be available to work at least 40 hours per month.

Purpose of this position: Forensic Examiners provide medical forensic services to victims and suspects of sexual assault, human trafficking, and abuse.  Forensic Examiners also help assault victims cope with the trauma and consequences of the assault. Victims receive assistance through area hospitals 24 hours a day.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Examiner will respond to the Call Center within fifteen (15) minutes of the page and supply an estimated time of arrival to the hospital.  The goal is to arrive within 1 hour from the page
• Provide acute (within 168 hours of a sexual assault) examination of adult and adolescent (13 and older) patients at all contracted facilities
• Provide acute (within 72 hours of a sexual assault [witnessed, reported, or potential contact with suspect) examination of pediatric patients (under 13 years old) at Hennepin County Medical Center and University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital
  • Respond if assault has occurred within 72 hours (or suspect has had potential contact with patient within prior 72 hours)
• Depending on the totality of the circumstances, the Forensic Examiner may decide that an acute exam is still warranted even past the 168 hour mark.  This decision will be determined with the assistance of the Manager of the Day and/or the Medical Director
• Functions of a medical-forensic examination include the following: 
  • Medical history
  • Assault history
  • Physical exam including identification and documentation of injuries and pain to include photodocumentation 
  • Anogenital examination including identification and documentation of injuries and pain to include photodocumentation
  • Collection of forensic evidence (based on interview) 
  • Sexually transmitted infection prophylaxis and testing, if indicated
  • Pregnancy testing and emergency contraception, if indicated
  • HIV prophylaxis, if indicated
  • Crisis intervention, and follow-up information and referral
  • Collaboration and case management with Medical Team, Child Protection, Adult Protection, Social Work, and Law Enforcement (if needed)
• Attend the department’s staff meetings
• Follow the Holiday and Minimum Hour Requirement for casual examiners
• Meet the minimum of 40 hours of on-call availability
• Follow the self-scheduling monthly process
• Be responsible for any equipment provided by the department (camera, memory cards, pager, badge)
• Maintain chain of custody on all evidence collected and follow procedure for securing evidence
• Adhere to all HCMC policies set forth by the organization
• Prep for and appear to testify in all cases in compliance with subpoenas
• Maintain certifications associated with the work of a forensic examiner
• Conduct forensic exams and evidence collection for non-sexual assault cases under department protocols

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education/ Work Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing as a Registered Nurse.

• A minimum of one year of professional nursing experience within the past 5 years.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of IAFN-Accredited SANE-A Course

• Completion of IAFN-Accredited SANE-P Course

• Previous experience as a Forensic Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner

• Phlebotomy skills

• Experience with EPIC

• Public Speaking

• Experience in Emergency Care, Critical Care, Pediatrics, and/or acute care setting.  

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

• Must be enrolled in and/or have completed an International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent 40-hour training program (online program accepted).  

• Communication, Team Work, and Computer Skills

License/Certifications:

• Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Minnesota.

• BLS

• SANE-A Certification preferred

• SANE-P Certification preferred

• Must have a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record including no more than two moving violations in the past three years of licensure and availability of an insured vehicle is required