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Forensic Rn Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Imh

Forensics Nurse Emergency Department

Fresno, CA

$37/hr

The Registered Nurse (RN) is a professional caregiver who assumes responsibility and accountability ... Previous forensics nursing/SANE experience preferred. Essential Functions * Assess: Performs ...

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$51

How much do forensic rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for forensic rn in California is $31.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.79 and $37.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Forensic RN?

A Forensic RN (Registered Nurse) is a specially trained nurse who provides care to patients who are victims or perpetrators of trauma, violence, or abuse, while also collecting evidence for legal investigations. These nurses play a critical role in bridging the gap between healthcare and the legal system by documenting injuries, collecting forensic evidence, and sometimes providing expert testimony in court. Forensic RNs work in various settings, including hospitals, sexual assault response teams, and correctional facilities. Their work ensures that victims receive appropriate medical care and that crucial evidence is preserved for legal proceedings.

What does a Forensic RN do?

A forensic registered nurse (RN) assists law enforcement officers by helping to obtain evidence of crimes while caring for victims. In this role, you may work in a hospital emergency room, social services organization, or with a medical examiner. You provide medical care to victims and recover evidence, such as bullets or clothing. Forensic RNs may also take photographs of wounds and document your observations and conversations with the victims; all documentation must follow specific procedures and regulations to ensure the evidence is admissible in court. If a case goes to trial, a forensic RN can give testimony as an expert witness. Some forensic RNs choose to specialize in particular areas, such as death investigations, psychiatric forensic nursing, or domestic violence and sexual assault.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forensic RN?

To thrive as a Forensic RN, you need a solid nursing background with specialized training in forensic evidence collection, trauma assessment, and legal documentation, typically supported by RN licensure and a forensic nursing certification (such as SANE). Familiarity with forensic examination tools, chain-of-custody protocols, and documentation systems is essential. Compassion, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help Forensic RNs support victims and collaborate with law enforcement. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate evidence collection, comprehensive patient care, and the integrity of legal proceedings.

How do Forensic RNs typically collaborate with law enforcement and legal teams during investigations?

Forensic Registered Nurses (RNs) often work closely with law enforcement officers and legal professionals to ensure accurate evidence collection and documentation. They may be called upon to testify in court, provide expert opinions, and explain medical findings related to trauma or abuse cases. Effective communication and meticulous record-keeping are essential, as their documentation may be scrutinized during legal proceedings. This collaborative environment ensures that both the medical and legal needs of the case are addressed with precision and care.

What is the difference between Forensic Rn vs Forensic Nurse?

AspectForensic RnForensic Nurse
CredentialsRegistered Nurse (RN), specialized training in forensic scienceRegistered Nurse (RN), often with additional forensic certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, law enforcement agencies, crime labsHospitals, clinics, law enforcement, forensic units
Industry UsageLegal cases, crime scene investigations, victim advocacyVictim support, evidence collection, court testimony

Both Forensic Rns and Forensic Nurses are registered nurses with specialized training in forensic science. While their work environments and roles overlap, Forensic Rns often focus on legal cases and crime scene investigations, whereas Forensic Nurses may work more directly with victims and evidence collection in clinical settings. Both roles are vital in the intersection of healthcare and the legal system.

Are forensic nurses in demand?

Forensic nurses are in increasing demand due to the growing need for specialized healthcare providers in criminal justice and legal settings. They often work in hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and forensic laboratories, requiring certification and strong clinical skills. The job outlook for forensic nursing is positive, with opportunities expanding as awareness of their role in evidence collection and victim advocacy grows.

Do forensic nurses get paid more?

Forensic nurses generally earn higher salaries than standard registered nurses due to specialized training in forensic evidence collection, legal procedures, and working in high-stakes environments such as hospitals, law enforcement agencies, or forensic labs. Salary levels can vary based on experience, certifications, and geographic location, but their specialized skills often lead to increased compensation compared to general nursing roles.
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Forensic Rn jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Rn job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% As Needed, 82% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $64,609 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

SART Program Coordinator RN

CommonSpirit Health

Santa Maria, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

CommonSpirit Health rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 541 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

421st of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Founded in 1940, Dignity Health - Marian Regional Medical Center is a 191-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Santa Maria, California. Serving over 250,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including Level II Trauma Center, Level III NICU, cancer care, orthopedics, and stroke care. Additionally, Marian Regional Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and the only healthcare facility on the Central Coast to offer ECMO.

One Community. One Mission. One California 


As our SART Program Coordinator RN, you will lead and drive the operations of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program serving our Santa Barbara County community. You will set the administrative direction of the program while remaining clinically engaged—participating in the examiner call rotation to care for acute adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients in the Emergency Department. As a central liaison and dedicated patient/victim advocate, you will sustain compassionate, continuous communication with physicians, patients, families, community agencies, and county partners.

Every day, you will deliver comprehensive, trauma-informed acute examinations and precise case management grounded in your scope of licensure and regulatory protocols. You will oversee the meticulous, timely collection and preservation of forensic evidence—maintaining strict chain of custody—for law enforcement and future judicial proceedings, and you will extend your impact beyond the exam room by providing expert witness testimony in court. You will develop and refine program protocols, evaluate outcomes, review SANE charts and evidentiary documentation, and partner with the District Attorney’s SART Coordinator and Santa Barbara County SART Coalition to strengthen coordinated survivor care.

To be successful in this role, you will draw on substantial specialized knowledge, clinical judgment, and advanced skill rooted in the biological, physiological, behavioral, and sociological sciences. You will apply critical thinking to integrate established standards, community resources, and patient data into rapid, accurate care decisions. Your ability to pair clinical expertise with organizational leadership will show up in the way you recruit, onboard, train, and validate the competency of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners; facilitate quarterly SART education; manage site operations, supplies, and SART billing with the DA’s office; and support annual reporting, grant development, and community prevention efforts.

What you bring:

  •  BSN and active RN licensure, with three years of staff nursing experience
  •  Current BLS
  •  SANE-A and/or SANE-P certification and prior SANE training (preferred)
  •  Bilingual skills (preferred)
  •  Knowledge of rape trauma theory, medico-legal forensic standards, evidence collection, and courtroom testimony protocols

Join us in a role where clinical excellence and advocacy meet—ensuring justice, dignity, and healing for survivors across our community.


Required

  • Bachelors Of Science in Nursing - BSN
  • Three years of staff nursing work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities
  • Registered Nurse: CA (RN:CA)
  • Basic Life Support - CPR (BLS-CPR)

Preferred

  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Adult (SANE-A)
  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Pediatric (SANE-P)

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