The Triage Nurse is responsible for supporting and maintaining communication between the case management nurses and the patients and physicians that are caring for those patients. The Triage Nurse manages most incoming calls related to patient care issues and answers questions or locates the appropriate person or resource. The Triage Nurse instructs families in what medication to give the patient to promote comfort and manage symptoms until the Primary Nurse (PN) can be contacted to follow up on the patient’s changing status. Triage facilitates communication between the case manager and the patient’s physician by taking the verbal orders for the PN, notifying the PN of the order when obtained and communicating that order to the family and pharmacy of choice, if the PN is unable to do that at the time of the order. Triage coordinates Skilled Nursing Visits (SNVs) for those patients and families that need a visit or request a visit. Triage consistently uses established protocols to manage patient symptoms and prioritize visit schedules to meet the needs of the family and the agency. The Triage RN will go out on patient visits in the field, as needed.

Office Location: Waldorf, MD - This position is not remote - in person required.

Status: Part-time

Schedule: 2 12-hour shifts with Rotating Days, 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., every other weekend and holiday.

Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience, education and credentialing.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Triages calls and routes the caller to the appropriate resource.
• Receives verbal orders from Physicians (i.e. medications, DNR status and EMS forms).
• Instructs families on how to manage patient’s symptoms using the HSK or other medications listed on the patient’s medication list until the PN can be contacted or a Skilled Nursing Visit (SNV) can be arranged if necessary.
• Supervises the day to day activities of the On-Call staff including scheduling, orienting, mentoring and evaluating.
• Provides support to the Clinical Staff working in the field by being a resource for palliative care options, symptom management alternatives, clarification of the formulary and our symptom management protocols.
• May be required to go out into field to conduct Skilled Nursing Visits, as needed. Field visits may include visits to patients, in facilities, hospitals and home settings, including visits to our pediatric population.
• Listens to voicemail report to obtain information to complete the Day Log, listing all admissions, discharges and changes in level of care (e.g. transfers into the hospital, transfers to the Hospice Houses or back to the patient’s home).
• Other duties as assigned or requested by the Clinical Manager, Support Services or the case managers on a case by case basis (e.g. lab supplies and wound care supplies).

About Hospice of the Chesapeake

At Hospice of the Chesapeake, we create meaningful experiences for those in the communities we serve who are experiencing serious advanced illness and loss. We believe truly meaningful experiences come from a partnership between highly skilled and compassionate professionals, our healthcare partners and the patient and family with a primary focus on living each day to the fullest extent possible. We develop care plans to minimize symptoms, articulate what matters most, and remember that each moment matters.

We are Your Hometown Hospice! Over the last 45 years, our team has cared for more than 50,000 hospice patients and nearly 100,000 family members.

To learn more please visit us at hospicechesapeake.org or find us on social media.

Your Qualifications:

• Current Maryland RN license or accepted reciprocal out-of-state nursing licensure; BSN preferred.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong and creative, problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize and delegate.
• Basic computer skills required; familiarity and comfort with documenting in an Electronic Medical Record.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and reliable transportation
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

What We Offer:

• A rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that values your contributions
• Competitive salary and generous paid time off, including 18 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 8 paid holidays in your first year of employment with HOC. Access to our Emergency Sick Bank to provide a safety net gift of up to 80 hours of sick time for medical emergencies if you run out of paid time off.
• Educational assistance to pursue professional development, additional certifications and degree programs
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, company-paid Short Term Disability and Life Insurance, and available accident and critical illness coverage.

• In accordance with Hospice of the Chesapeake’s commitment to leadership and industry-leading care, we require that all employees be vaccinated against COVID and influenza, as well as being screened for TB upon hire and annually thereafter. Documented and supported requests for religious and medical accommodations may be considered but may not be approved in all circumstances.

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