The Forensic Nurse Examiner is responsible for conducting forensic medical examinations for victims of sexual assault or physical abuse and collecting evidence. They also provide therapeutic patient care, participate in research, and support legal proceedings by responding to subpoenas.
Requirements overview
Candidates must hold a nursing degree (Associate or Bachelor's) and have at least 6 months of RN experience. A valid Virginia RN license and BLS certification are required, with SANE certification completion expected within 30 days of hire.
We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs.
Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 26,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. In 2025, Inova was named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare experience, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to each person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.
Inova Fairfax Hospital is looking for a dedicated Forensic Nurse Examiner to
join the team. This role will be full-time, 3-12 hour nights; weekend rotations
per 8-week period; holiday requirement: 1 holiday per year (9 hours). Office
Hours: 24/7. Travel requirement: Inova Fairfax Hospital; 2740 Prosperity; 4700
King Street; Inova Loudoun Hospital - Cornwall. Main location will start shift
at 2740 Prosperity, then go to Fairfax Hospital after 7:00 PM and on weekends;
possible coverage when needed at our satellite locations to King Street or
Cornwall.
The Ewing Forensic Assessment and Consultation Teams (FACT) Program forensic
nurse examiner (FNE) is a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) responsible for
responding to requests for forensic medical examinations of the alleged sexually
assaulted/ physically abused patient and/or suspect evidence collection.
Inova is consistently ranked a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and
patient experience. We are also proud to be consistently recognized as a top
employer in both the D.C. metro area and the nation.
Featured Benefits:
* Committed to Team Member Health: offering medical, dental and vision
coverage, and a robust team member wellness program.
* Retirement: Inova matches the first 5% of eligible contributions – starting
on your first day.
* Tuition and Student Loan Assistance: offering up to $5,250 per year in
education assistance and up to $10,000 for student loans.
* Mental Health Support: offering all Inova team members, their
spouses/partners, and their children 25 mental health coaching or therapy
sessions, per person, per year, at no cost.
* Work/Life Balance: offering paid time off, paid parental leave, & flexible
work schedules.
Forensic Nurse Examiner Job Responsibilities:
* Utilizes standards, guidelines and pathways for care delivery while
determining process for delivery of care from direct patient and family
communication, technology and other healthcare team member collaboration.
* Provides safe and therapeutic care in a holistic and systematic way while
incorporating differences into the provision of care. Conducts all patient
care in a patient and family centered manner. Arrives within the necessary
defined timeframe for each request.
* Responds to all subpoenas on cases examined as a sexual assault nurse
examiner.
* Participates in any sexual assault/physical violence research projects.
Assists with lectures/presentations to medical staff, nurses, law enforcement
agencies and community groups.
* Develops and adheres to sexual assault policies, procedures, protocols and
guidelines. Participates in the documentation and evaluation processes with
colleagues and leadership.
* Supports/empowers patients and families as they progress through the
healthcare continuum from health promotion to end of life decisions.
* Provides validation of clinical decisions for other staff members and seeks
validation from others for complex patients or unfamiliar situations.
* Works collaboratively and demonstrates respect for and an understanding of
other clinical disciplines.
* Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
* Education: Bachelor's Degree Nursing or Associate's Degree. If RN has an
Associate's Degree, within 2 years of date of hire, they must meet with their
nurse leader and conduct the following: 1.) Identify which accredited school
they plan to attend 2.) Provide a written plan with anticipated BSN
completion date 3.) Submit a review of transcripts from the school indicating
the required pre-requisites and timeline for taking the courses 4.) Complete
BSN within 5 years of the start date.
* Experience: 6 months of RN experience
* Certifications/Licensures: BLS for Healthcare Provider from the American
Heart Association required; Licensed or eligible for licensure in the
Commonwealth of Virginia as a Registered Nurse or an active multi-state
Registered Nurse license
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience: Experience in forensic nursing at Inova Health
* Certifications: SANE (both adult & pediatric) course completion required
within 30 days of hire.
* Special Background: Fingerprinting
* Other: Flexibility, Critical thinking, compassion, teamwork, emotional
intelligence, active listening, must be comfortable speaking in from of an
audience (specifically in a courtroom)
We are Inova, Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Every
day, our 26,000+ team members provide world-class healthcare to the communities
we serve. Our people are the reason we're a national leader in healthcare
safety, quality and patient experience. And from best-in-class facilities to
professional development opportunities, we support them at every step. At Inova,
we're constantly striving to be ever better — to shape a more compassionate
future for healthcare.
Inova Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability,
gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin,
political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related
conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran
status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.