Forensics Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care - a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It's helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient's needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

Job Summary:

Responsibilities:

1. Provides appropriate care specific to the age and population of the customer/patient, to ensure understanding and comfort level of treatment as outlined in the Population Specific Criteria.

• Demonstrates ability to identify opportunities for and give individualized customer service/patient care according to customer/patient needs and culture.

2. Performs an initial and ongoing assessment to determine the assigned patient's ongoing nursing care needs.

• Includes data from the patient/significant other(s) in the assessment as appropriate.
• Prioritizes data collection according to patient's immediate needs.
• Uses assessment findings in discharge planning.
• Completes an initial evaluation of sexual assault victims needs and injuries.
• Completes sexual assault evidentiary exam and collects forensic evidence.

3. Develops/reviews/revises and individualizes the plan of care to address the patient's nursing care needs for optimum patient care outcomes.

• Collaborates with physicians and other clinical disciplines as appropriate.
• Provides teaching specific to the patient's health care problem.
• Care plan reflects continuing care needs and/or referrals for discharge/transfer.
• Provides initial emotional support and crisis intervention for sexual assault victims, their significant others, and family members.
• Links sexual assault victims to community resources, as needed, to assure on-going care.

4. Implements interventions that are consistent with the established plan of care in a safe and appropriate manner.

• Is familiar with, and follows, nursing protocols and standards of care for their unit.
• Uses current knowledge in nursing practice based on standards and research literature.
• Administers medication without error and utilizes critical thinking regarding medication effects on patient.
• Provides care for minor physical injuries (within the scope of practice).
• Provides STD and pregnancy risk evaluation and prophylaxis (following pre-established protocols after consultations with appropriate health care providers).

5. Evaluates patient care to determine response to care/interventions for optimal patient outcome.

• Monitors outcomes and documents patient response to interventions.
• Evaluates the patient's capabilities and/or limitations related to nursing and medical interventions.
• Continually monitors the patient and/or significant other(s) ability to manage care needs after dismissal.
• Gives a complete verbal or written change of shift report to the oncoming care provider. Includes current care requirements, to include SBAR content, and is familiar with the overall plan of care.
• Recognizes and addresses patient and family capabilities and limitations (physical and mental).
• Documents care and findings accurately and completely.
• Responds in cooperative manner to any subpoena regarding care provided or exams completed by the Forensic RN Examiner.

6. Performs technical skills competently and independently to assure patient safety (autonomy).

• Able to competently perform technical skills independently.
• Is accountable to learn new skills and equipment within areas' specifications and time frame.
• Demonstrates correct and safe technique in the use of equipment according to specific product information and policy and procedure manuals.
• Follows appropriate procedure for obtaining and returning or cleaning/disposing of equipment and supplies.
• Charges accurately for use of supplies and equipment according to policy.
• Maintains competence in area of experience.

7. Maintains a professional behavior in attitude, demeanor, interactions to achieve organization's mission.

• Participates in meetings and/or committees as needed to assist in decisions effecting area/unit or organization.
• Identifies and participates in performance improvement activities.
• Communicate effectively to solve problems at the personal and unit level.
• Is approachable and professional in working with other health professionals, ancillary staff, patients and family.
• Actively participates in restocking suppliesand maintaining a clean environment.
• Maintain a professional appearance, behavior, and work environment.
• Maintain competence in area of experience.

8. Initiates action to correct, prevent, and/or minimize risk(s) to the patient, family or hospital employees (e.g., falls, needle sticks, patient concerns).

• Completes appropriate report form for any risk (e.g., incident report, patient concern report, maintenance request).
• Works within the scope of practice as defined by the Nurse Practice Act.
• Observe appropriate precautions when administering hazardous medications or handling excreta from patients who have received hazardous medications.
• Follows infection control guidelines and practices.
• Communicates with and cooperates with emergency medical care providers regarding sexual assault victims needs and care.
• Interacts with law enforcement, advocacy personnel, community health providers and other agencies and personnel, as needed.

9. Reviews, delegates and evaluates plans for appropriate utilization of staff at all levels of practice in accordance with the provision of the state's Nurse Practice Act and the Professional Standards of Practice.

• Right task (within the scope of practice, according to the job description, based on the desired outcome, task routine, non-complex, low risk and predictable outcome).
• Right person (assess competency by: certification/licensure, job description, skills checklist, demonstrated skill).
• Right communication (clear, concise, correct, complete).
• Right feedback: the Reciprocal Process (ask teammates' input first, recognize effort, get teammates' solution to problem, check off points).

10. Participates in an on-call schedule to assure 24-hour Forensic RN Examiner availability.

Schedule:

Casual - must be able to provide a minimum of five to six (5-6) 12-hour on-call shifts per month, equating to approximately 60-72 on-call hours monthly.

Job Description:

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing preferred.
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required.
• Successful completion of annual mandatory education requirements.

Experience

• Minimum of two years experience in a related clinical area (ED, OB or Women's Health preferred).

License/Certifications

• Current valid Registered Nurse (RN) License, valid compact multistate license, or a temporary permit while awaiting licensure required.
• Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.
• Core certification related to area of specialty from National Certification Corporation (NCC) within 1 year of eligibility preferred.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate and interact with patients, family members, hospital personnel, and co-workers.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to learn, retain, and utilize computer skills that are required for department and hospital information system.

Weight Demands

• Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.

Physical Activity

• Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
  • Climbing
  • Crawling
  • Kneeling
  • Sitting
• Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
  • Balancing
  • Carrying
  • Crouching
  • Distinguish colors
  • Keyboarding/typing
  • Lifting
  • Pulling/Pushing
  • Repetitive Motions
  • Stooping/bending
  • Twisting
• Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
  • Grasping
  • Hearing
  • Reaching
  • Seeing/Visual
  • Speaking/talking
  • Standing
  • Walking

Job Hazards

• Not Related:
  • Electrical Shock/Static
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
• Rare (1-33%):
  • Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-Ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means) - NICU only
• Occasionally (34%-66%):
  • Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
  • Equipment/Machinery/Tools
  • Explosives (pressurized gas)
  • Hazardous Drugs (exposure risks, personal protective equipment required)
• Frequent (67%-100%):
  • Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
  • Biological agents (primary air born and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) (BBF)
  • Mechanical moving parts/vibrations

About Methodist:

Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.

Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.