Job Description

Forensic Nurse Examiner

Req ID: 307938
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Job Type: On‑Call
About TriHealth & This RoleAt TriHealth, our mission is to improve the health of the people we serve—every patient, every day. The CARES Program (Center for Abuse and Rape Emergency Services) is a specialized, trauma‑informed service line dedicated to supporting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, and human trafficking.As a Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE/SANE), you will play a vital role in delivering compassionate care and meticulous forensic documentation that supports both healing and justice. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at some of the most critical moments in a patient’s life. Why You’ll Love This Role

• Work in a high-impact specialty supporting survivors of interpersonal violence
• Join a collaborative CARES team embedded within TriHealth’s respected emergency services environment
• Build advanced skills in forensic nursing, trauma-informed care, and multidisciplinary coordination
• Opportunities for ongoing education, professional development, and specialty certification
• A supportive nursing culture that champions safety, compassion, and evidence‑based practice

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to on-call needs quickly and arrive on-site within established TriHealth timeframes
• Provide trauma‑informed forensic nursing care for patients age 14+ experiencing abuse or violence
• Perform comprehensive forensic examinations, evidence collection, documentation, and maintain chain of custody
• Collaborate effectively with ED clinical teams, advocacy agencies, and law enforcement to coordinate patient-centered care
• Use assessment skills to identify physical, emotional, cultural, and psychosocial needs
• Deliver safe, accurate clinical care and treatments following policy and professional standards
• Document all findings in CARES records and communicate case details to the CARES Coordinator
• Participate in ongoing professional development, peer review, and continuous improvement initiatives

QualificationsMust-Have

• Associate’s Degree or Diploma in Nursing
  • BSN required within 5 years of hire
• Registered Nurse (RN), active and unencumbered
• Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association
• Minimum 6 months clinical nursing experience
• Strong clinical judgment grounded in biological, physical, behavioral, social, and nursing sciences

Preferred

• Membership in related professional organizations (e.g., IAFN)
• Prior experience with forensic nursing, ED, women’s health, or trauma care

Schedule & Location

• Status: On‑Call
• Response Expectations: Answer call within 10 minutes and arrive on-site within the timeframe established by the CARES Coordinator

• Primary Location: TriHealth hospitals (Cincinnati, OH) as assigned

  
  
  To provide professional, compassionate care, comprehensive documentations and timely collection of forensic evidence to victims of sexual and domestic violence, elder abuse and human trafficking referred to the CARES program (Center for Abuse and Rape Emergency Services) for care. These victims may be male or female and age 14 years and up. This position is an on-call position. The SANE/FNE will be responsible for answering call within 10 minutes of call and responding to the hospital in a timely manner assigned by the CARES Coordinator.
  
  Job Requirements:
  
  Associate's Degree or Diploma in Nursing
  New Hires required to complete BSN within 5 years of hire
  Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)
  Registered Nurse
  Knowledge, judgement and skills derived from the Principles of Biological, Physical, Behavioral, Social, and Nursing sciences to meet complex health care needs at various stages of the life cycle
  Preferred membership in related professional organization
  6 months experience Clinical in Nursing
  
  Job Responsibilities:
  
  Responds to the hospital in a timely manner according to TriHealth guidelines.
  Determines the need for advocacy agencies and law inforcement presence if not already available. Collaborates with these agencies to provide quality service to all clients.
  Collaborates with the ED staff nurses and physicians regarding the care involving evidence collection for victims of abuse.
  Utilizes assessment skills to determine patient needs based on patient information and history. Takes into account the individuals cognitive, physical, cultural, emotional/psychosocial, and spiritual needs when communicating and collecting evidence on patients. Function effectively within an environment of crisis involving sensitive interpersonal violence issues, often in conjuction with physical, psychological trauma and substance use.
  Performs technical skills according to policy and procedure and accepted standards within their area of practice. Safely administers medications/treatments as indicated. Uses all equipment in a safe, appropriate manner.
  Documents pertinent data on CARES records and provides the documents to the CARES Coordinator. Maintains chain of custody and ensures record is secured prior to finishing case. Will consult with the CARES Coordinator regarding cases requiring court appearances.
  Assumes organizational and educational responsibilities. Identifies areas for professional and self-improvement through self-assessment and peer review, as well as the continuing education of team members continuing education, formal education, professional organization membership, and/or certification. Shares knowledge and skills with colleagues and others. Provides peers with constructive feedback regarding skills and knowledge. Maintains awareness of ongoing continuous improvement changes and supports changes through active participation.
  
  Other Job-Related Information:
  
  The TriHealth Nursing Vision, Mission, and Philosophy speaks to professional development, collaboration, and our nursing culture. To achieve excellence in nursing care, TriHealth encourages: pursuit of improved knowledge through continuing education classes, formal education leading to advanced degrees, and the attainment of specialty certification; nurse membership in local, regional, and national nursing organizations related to the appropriate nurse specialty; involvement in activities that better the health of our community; nursing research activities and use of evidence-based practice, and all nurses to foster, support, and personally model collaborative relationships amongst nurses, physicians, and other caregivers for the betterment of patient care.
  
  Working Conditions:
  
  Climbing - Rarely
  Concentrating - Consistently
  Continuous Learning - Consistently
  Hearing: Conversation - Consistently
  Hearing: Other Sounds - Consistently
  Interpersonal Communication - Consistently
  Kneeling - Occasionally
  Lifting <10 Lbs - Consistently
  Lifting 50+ Lbs - Consistently
  Lifting 11-50 Lbs - Consistently
  Pulling - Consistently
  Pushing - Consistently
  Reaching - Consistently
  Reading - Consistently
  Sitting - Consistently
  Standing - Consistently
  Stooping - Consistently
  Talking - Consistently
  Thinking/Reasoning - Consistently
  Use of Hands - Consistently
  Color Vision - Consistently
  Visual Acuity: Far - Consistently
  Visual Acuity: Near - Consistently
  Walking - Consistently
  
  TriHealth SERVE Standards and ALWAYS Behaviors
  At TriHealth, we believe there is no responsibility more important than to SERVE our patients, our communities, and our fellow team members. To achieve our vision and mission, ALL TriHealth team members are expected to demonstrate and live the following:
  
  Serve: ALWAYS…
  • Welcome everyone by making eye contact, greeting with a smile, and saying "hello"
  • Acknowledge when patients/guests are lost and escort them to their destination or find someone who can assist
  • Refrain from using cell phones for personal reasons in public spaces or patient care areas
  Excel: ALWAYS…
  • Recognize and take personal responsibility to address and recover from service breakdowns when a customer's expectations have not been met
  • Offer patients and guests priority when waiting (lines, elevators)
  • Work on improving quality, safety, and service
  Respect: ALWAYS…
  • Respect cultural and spiritual differences and honor individual preferences.
  • Respect everyone’s opinion and contribution, regardless of title/role.
  • Speak positively about my team members and other departments in front of patients and guests.
  Value: ALWAYS…
  • Value the time of others by striving to be on time, prepared and actively participating.
  • Pick up trash, ensuring the physical environment is clean and safe.
  • Be a good steward of our resources, using supplies and equipment efficiently and effectively, and will look for ways to avoid waste.
  Engage: ALWAYS…
  • Acknowledge wins and frequently thank team members and others for contributions.
  • Show courtesy and compassion with customers, team members and the community