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Forensic Rn Jobs in McAllen, TX (NOW HIRING)

Forensic Rn information

See McAllen, TX salary details

$15

$29

$49

How much do forensic rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for forensic rn in McAllen, TX is $29.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.92 and $35.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forensic RN, and why are they important?

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.
What are popular job titles related to Forensic Rn jobs in McAllen, TX? For Forensic Rn jobs in McAllen, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near McAllen, TX are hiring for Forensic Rn jobs? Cities near McAllen, TX with the most Forensic Rn job openings:
Infographic showing various Forensic Rn job openings in McAllen, TX as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,195 per year, or $29.9 per hour.
Licensed Vocational Nurse - FT - Days/Nights - BH Flex (New Behavioral Hospital)

Licensed Vocational Nurse - FT - Days/Nights - BH Flex (New Behavioral Hospital)

DHR Health

Edinburg, TX • On-site

$20 - $26.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


DHR Health rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 70 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

572nd of 890 rated healthcare providers


Job description

DHR Health - US:TX:Edinburg - Varies
Summary:
FLSA STATUS: ☐ Exempt ☒ Non-Exempt
MISSION STATEMENT:
Our Mission is to improve the well-being of those we serve with a commitment to excellence: every patient, every encounter, every time.
VISION:
Our Vision is to create a world-class health system to advance medicine and increase access for the communities we serve by empowering caregivers to heal through compassion, knowledge, innovation, integrated care and excellence.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Assists the registered nurse in the provision of nursing care to patients in designated departments by performing routine and delegated duties.
POSITION EDUCATION/ QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Graduate of accredited school of vocational nursing required
  • Current state licensure required
  • Current BLS/CPR certification required
  • CPI training within 30 days of hire date
  • Must be able to be sensitive to cultural and bilingual issues.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills required.
  • Ability to read, write and speak English
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of nursing, administration, and physicians
  • Prefer hospital experience

JOB KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:
  • Six (6) months- one (1) year continuous hospital experience as an LVN is strongly preferred.
  • Able to adjust and/ or troubleshoot monitoring equipment, and computer equipment.
  • Must be able to interact and communicate with all levels of staff, physicians, patients, and families in an effective manner.
  • Exhibits tact, enthusiasm, and patience.
  • Must be sensitive to cultural and bilingual issues.
  • Safely administers and documents medication given in accordance with policies and procedures.
  • Must have excellent customer service skills.
  • High degree of competency/experience in general.
  • Requires good communication and organizational skills.
  • Requires reasoning ability and good independent judgment.

Responsibilities:
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Promotes the facility mission, vision and values by effectively communicating them to others. Considers mission, vision and values in developing services, standards and practices
  • Supports the philosophy, goals and objectives of the Organization.
  • Performs according to approved policies and procedures
  • Participates as a team member in support of the designated unit
  • Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.
  • Contributes to the progress and development of the Organization's adopted Quality Mgmt.
  • Performs according to established continuous quality improvement policies and procedures.
  • Supports risk management and participates in programs directed to patient and employee safety.
  • Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.
  • Successfully contributes to the quality management process and identifies role and contributions upon supervisor's request.
  • Communicates effectively with patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers.
  • Interactions are respectful and courteous.
  • Communicates effectively and professionally.
  • Documents that information received from the patient is disseminated to the appropriate people or departments.
  • Accepts assignment to all behavioral units including child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, state civil and state forensic units as required by patient need
  • All duties described above are applicable in the following Adult, Adolescent, Geriatric, Childrens, State Civil, and State Forensic units

Other information:
LINES OF REPSONSIBILITIES:
(Chain-of-command)
1. Registered Nurse → 2. Charge Nurse → 3. Director
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
Provide excellent customer service to all DHR customers. All employees are required to attend the DHR C.A.R.E.S program which outlines the Customer Service Principals including: Commitment, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Service.
AGE SPECIFIC:
Employees must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned unit. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirement relative to his or her age.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: (ADA):
A. Essential Duties: Indicated by bold print within performance standards, preceding individual numbered criteria.
The following table provides physical requirements that will be associated with, but not limited to, this position:
Light/moderate lifting up to 20 lbs, from the floor to shoulder height.
Yes
Kneeling
Yes
Must be able to assist other employees with lifting more than 20 lbs.
Yes
Walking
Yes
Light/moderate carrying up to 20 lbs.
Yes
Standing/Squatting
Yes
Straight pulling
Yes
Sitting
Yes
Pulling hand over hand
Yes
Pushing
Yes
Repeated bending
Yes
Stooping/Bending
Yes
Reaching above shoulder
Yes
Climbing Stairs
Yes
Simple grasping
Yes
Climbing Ladders
No
Dual simultaneous grasping
Yes
Depth Perceptions needed
Yes
Ability to see
Yes
Identify Colors
Yes
Operating office equipment
Yes
Twisting
Yes
Operating mechanical equipment
Yes
Crawling
No
Ability to read and write
Yes
Ability to Count
Yes
Ability to hear verbal communication without aid
Yes
Operating Personal Vehicle
Yes
Ability to comprehend written/verbal communication
Yes
Other: Ability to deal with stress
Yes
OSHA Category
III
B. Working Conditions: The individual spends over 95% of his/her time in an air-conditioned environment with varying exposures to noise. There is protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. The position does have low exposure to malodorous, infectious body fluids from patients and some minimal exposure to noxious smells from cleansing agents.
C. Occupational Exposure: This position has minimal to no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues and is an OSHA Category III (although situations can be imagined or hypothesized under which anyone, anywhere, might encounter potential exposure to body fluids). Person who performs these duties are not called upon as part of their employment to perform or assist in emergency medical care or first aid or to be potentially exposed in some other way.
D. Aptitudes: HIGH 1 2 3 4 5 6 LOW
Intelligence: General learning ability: The ability to "catch on" or understand instructions and underlying principles. Ability to reason and make judgments. 3
Verbal: Ability to understand meanings of words and ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively. To comprehend language, to understand relationships between words, and to understand meanings of whole sentences and paragraphs. To present information or ideas clearly. 3
Numerical: Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately. 2
Spatial: Ability to comprehend forms in space and understands relationships of plane and solid objects. Frequently described as the ability to "visualize" objects or two or three dimensions, or to think visually of geometric forms. 2
Form Perception: Ability to perceive pertinent details and objects or in pictorial or graphic material to make visual comparisons and discriminations and see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines. 3
Clerical Perception: Ability to receive pertinent details and verbal or tabular material. To observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetic computation. 2
Motor Coordination: Ability to coordinate eyes and hands to fingers rapidly and accurately in making precise movements with speed. Ability to make a movement response accurately and quickly. 3
Finger Dexterity: Ability to move hands easily and skillfully. To work with fingers in placing and turning motions. 3
Manual Dexterity: Ability to move hands easily and skillfully. To work with hands in placing and turning motions. 3
Eye-Hand-Foot Coordination: Ability to move the hand and foot coordinately with each other in accordance with visual stimuli. 3
Color Discrimination: Ability to perceive and respond to similarities or differences in colors, shapes, or other values of the same or different color. To identify a particular color, or to recognize harmonious or contrasting color combinations, or to match color adequately. 3
I have read and reviewed my job description with my supervisor or designee and I understand the job I am expected to perform.
If applicable ____________ certification will be completed within _________ time frame of hire/transfer date.
Employee Signature: ________________________________ Date: ____________________
Transfer/Hire Date Effective: ________________________.

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About DHR Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

DHR Health, located in Edinburg, Texas, is a major player in the healthcare industry, offering a comprehensive range of medical services. Launched in 1997 by Dr. Carlos J. Cardenas and Dr. Manish Singh, the enterprise was established with the emblematic pursuit of raising the healthcare standards of the Rio Grande Valley. Today, it serves as a full-service health system providing advanced specialty care to individuals irrespective of their ability to pay, emphasizing its commitment to the community. In line with its mission statement, DHR Health focuses on the development of a comprehensive health system devoted to ensuring superior health services, education, and financial solvency. With significant contributions to the medical field, like the installation of South Texas's first da Vinci Xi Surgical System, DHR has effectively notched distinct achievements.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Edinburg, TX, US

Year founded

1997

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