Employment & Internships

NOVA is the comprehensive victim services organization in Bucks County. With a 50+ year history, NOVA has expanded to include a continuum of prevention and direct services to prevent and address the needs of victims of sexual abuse and other serious crimes. NOVA is known for its exceptional services and professionalism across many disciplines and the community.  As a mature and fiscally sound organization, establishing sustainability is key to our future success — serving all victims who need assistance, educating the community on violence prevention, and providing top-ranked professional training.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) provides compassionate, trauma-informed medical forensic care to patients who have experienced sexual assault, non-fatal strangulation, and other forms of interpersonal violence. Responsibilities include medical assessment, forensic evidence collection, documentation, photography, patient education, prophylactic treatment coordination, referrals, and collaboration with multidisciplinary partners. The FNE provides services in accordance with NOVA policies, participating hospital protocols, and current standards of forensic nursing practice. The FNE may be required to testify as a fact witness regarding examinations performed while employed by NOVA.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed, patient-centered care in a timely manner.
• Perform medical screening and triage to determine whether emergency medical care is required prior to the forensic examination.
• Conduct comprehensive medical forensic examinations, including Head-to-Toe assessment for injury and detailed genital and anal examination, when indicated
• Collection and preservation of forensic evidence
• Photographic documentation of injuries
• Assess mandatory reporting requirements and complete reports as required by law.
• Coordinate the administration of emergency contraception, sexually transmitted infection prophylaxis, and other medications according to protocol with Emergency Department staff.
• Maintain evidence integrity and chain of custody throughout the examination
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA and all confidentiality requirements.

Documentation

• Complete thorough, accurate, objective written and electronic documentation.
• Finalize all documentation within 24 hours of completion of the examination and case review with the Forensic Nursing Coordinator.

Collaboration

Collaborate effectively with:

• Hospital Emergency Department personnel
• NOVA staff and volunteers providing Emergency Room Accompaniment
• Law enforcement
• Prosecutors
• Community partners

On-Call Responsibilities

• Maintain active participation in the on-call rotation with a minimum commitment of 32 on-call hours per month, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight coverage as assigned.
• Maintain reliable transportation.
• Respond by phone to all helpline calls within 10 minutes.
• Begin travel immediately upon accepting a case.
• Arrive at the designated hospital within one (1) hour of accepting a request for service.
• Maintain reliable phone and email communication during all scheduled on-call shifts.

Court Responsibilities

• Provide testimony as a fact witness for examinations performed while employed by NOVA.
• Following employment /termination as an FNE with NOVA, the individual RN will be obligated to respond and coordinate with attorneys before and during the court process.

Program Responsibilities

• Comply with all NOVA policies, procedures, specific hospital protocols, and forensic nursing standards.
• Once fully transitioned to independent practice status including independently completing a minimum of two (2) forensic examinations, while demonstrating competency in the forensic examination process, serve as a preceptor for newly trained forensic nurses, as assigned.
• Preceptor responsibilities may include clinical shadowing, observation and guidance, mentoring, providing constructive feedback, and completing required competency and onboarding documentation.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

• Annual training requirements and continuing education requirements as applicable.
• Failure to meet training deadlines may result in removal from the schedule until the outstanding training is completed. Repeated non-compliance may result in termination
• Meets regularly with Forensic Nurse Coordinator for support, direction, supervision, and feedback.
• Maintains open communication with the FNP Coordinator.
• Participates in 75% of department case review meetings.
• Conducts professional development through completion of continuing education, case studies, literature reviews, and chart reviews to maintain clinical excellence and ensure evidence-based practice

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to engage in trauma-informed practices and ability to maintain professionalism while working with individuals experiencing trauma.
• Ability to work in a confidential setting and adhere to NOVA’s confidentiality practices • Conduct all relationships with honesty and integrity
• Effectively work independently and within a team
• Ability to adapt to changing work environments, evolving work priorities, and the needs of the organization.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Must meet credentialing requirements as outlined in the NOVA FNE Contract
• Complete the American Forensic Nurse Examiner training program within 15 weeks of onset of employment
• Successful completion of 2-day practicum within six (6) months of hire, unless delayed due to training availability.
• Completion of up to three (3) supervised clinical observations/examinations with an experienced FNE within six (6) months of completing required training, unless delayed due to case availability.
• Ability to successfully complete all required orientation, competency assessments, and ongoing continuing education required by the program.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to respond to designated hospitals within the program’s required response time.
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, as required – at minimum 32 hours per month
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
• Periodic drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance with organizational policy and applicable law.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Must have an active unrestricted RN license to practice in Pennsylvania
• Must have an active BLS certificate
• Must meet all required background checks (criminal, FBI, child abuse) at hire and every five years after that
• Must provide proof of a valid driver’s license
• Must provide proof of valid car insurance with a minimum liability coverage of $100,000/$300,000 upon hire and biannually after that

NOVA is an AA/EOE.

Accommodation: If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please notify us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.

If you possess these qualifications, are energetic and passionate about the mission of NOVA, and enjoy a friendly, team-oriented environment, we would like to hear from you! Please submit your resume with a cover letter telling us why you are the person for this job, and your salary requirements to Careers@novabucks.org (Forensic Nurse Examiner)

NOVA is the comprehensive victim services organization in Bucks County. With a 50+ year history, NOVA has expanded to include a continuum of prevention and direct services to prevent and address the needs of victims of sexual abuse and other serious crimes. NOVA is known for its exceptional services and professionalism across many disciplines and the community.  As a mature and fiscally sound organization, establishing sustainability is key to our future success — serving all victims who need assistance, educating the community on violence prevention, and providing top-ranked professional training.

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for providing outreach and support to victims of crime, their non-offending family members, and their friends during criminal justice procedures. This position also includes outreach to law enforcement and other community professionals about the services provided at NOVA. Bilingual in Spanish/English is a must.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Initiate and maintain collaborative partnerships with district judges, police departments, and court personnel to promote victim access to NOVA services.
• Actively and effectively engage in appropriate outreach activities to the victims of crime, their families, and their friends.
• Liaise and collaborate with other organizations to serve the victims of crime to promote victim access to NOVA services.
• Represent NOVA in the legal community serving the victims of crime, their families, and their friends (including serving in relevant coalitions and participating in public events).
• Develop and present educational programs for criminal justice and court personnel.
• Provide or participate in educational programs, public presentations, and training activities focusing on the legal proceedings concerning the victims of crime.
• Advocate for victims so that they receive the resources to which they are entitled.
• Help prepare victims, their families, and their friends for all legal proceedings.
• Help victims prepare their victim impact statements.
• Accompany victims to all legal proceedings as needed (ex: Police interviews, district attorney’s meetings, preliminary hearings, PTC/guilty pleas, trials, sentencing, parole hearings, etc.)
• Provide crisis counseling and emotional support for the victims, their families, and their friends during and after the legal proceedings.
• Assist victims with applying to the PA Victims Compensation Assistance Program
• Assist victims with filing for Protection of Abuse orders.
• Refer clients to other NOVA programs or other agencies as appropriate and serve as a liaison for the client if requested.
• Maintain all client records, including updates and closings.
• Provide on-call coverage as assigned, including hotline and emergency room accompaniment as needed.
• Facilitate at least 1 SAC session per year.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

•  Successful completion of the Sexual Assault Counselor Training (SAC), annual training requirements, and continuing education requirements as applicable.
• Participates in job-related professional development activities
• Annual attendance at NOVA’s Staff Retreat (1 day)
• Attends and actively participates in a staff or agency committee
• Meets regularly with Victim Advocate Coordinator for support, direction, supervision, individual work plan, and feedback.

COMPETENCIES

•  Ability to engage in trauma-informed practices
• Ability to work in a confidential setting and adhere to NOVA’s confidentiality practices
• Conduct all relationships with honesty and integrity
• Emotionally resilient with the ability to engage in self-care practices
• Effectively work independently and within a team
• Ability to adapt to changing work environments, evolving work priorities, and the needs of the organization

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in criminology, social work, human services, or another related field
• Sound knowledge of the criminal justice system. Experience working in the criminal justice system is a plus
• Fluent in English and Spanish
• Proficiency with Office 365
• NOVA may require employees to participate in drug testing

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• PCCD Foundational Academy training certificate or completion within 6 months of hire.
• Must meet all required background checks (criminal, FBI, child abuse) at hire and every five years after that
• Must provide proof of a valid driver’s license
• Must provide proof of valid car insurance with a minimum liability coverage of $100,000/$300,000 upon hire and biannually after that

NOVA is an AA/EOE. The compensation package includes the following components:

•  Competitive Annual Salary, $46,000-$48,000 commensurate with experience.
• Medical & Dental (1st day of the month following hire; Employee premiums paid in full by NOVA)
• Short-term & long-term disability (After 90 days of employment; Premiums paid in full by NOVA)
• Life insurance policy (After 90 days of employment; Premium paid in full by NOVA)
• Voluntary contribution to 401K Plan (1st quarter following one year of employment)
• Generous Paid-Time-Off policy (after 90 days of employment) and 12 paid holidays per year

Accommodation: If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please notify us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.

If you possess these qualifications, are energetic and passionate about the mission of NOVA, and enjoy a friendly, team-oriented environment, we would like to hear from you! Please submit your resume with a cover letter telling us why you are the person for this job and your salary requirements to Careers@novabucks.org (Bilingual Victim Advocate)