Registered Nurse Triage (SCR)

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

• Job Posting closes: Open until Filled
• Required documents uploaded by: All required documents listed below must be attached to your application within 2 days of applying for your application to be considered complete.

Agency Information:

South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital (SCR) is Kansas's newest state psychiatric hospital and serves adults experiencing serious mental illness throughout south-central Kansas. Located in Wichita, SCR is a 104-bed facility committed to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care in a modern, recovery-oriented environment.

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: Varies

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Registered Nurse

Compensation: $92,000-95,000 Annually

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Admission & Triage Registered Nurse is responsible for conducting pre-hospital clinical assessments and triage of individuals referred for behavioral health services and determining the appropriateness of admission based on clinical presentation, medical needs, psychiatric needs, safety considerations, and established admission criteria.

This position serves as a key point of contact between the hospital and external referral sources, including hospitals, emergency departments, healthcare providers, community agencies, law enforcement, treatment programs, and other organizations. The Admission & Triage RN will develop and maintain strong referral relationships, provide education regarding available services and admission criteria, and actively support the development of the hospital’s referral network.

The Admission & Triage RN focuses on pre-hospital clinical screening, triage, and admission coordination, gathering and evaluating relevant clinical information prior to the patient’s arrival. The RN facilitates appropriate placement, coordinates admission logistics, and ensures pertinent clinical and safety information is communicated to the receiving care team to support a safe and effective transition into the hospital.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Pre-Hospital Assessment & Triage

• Conduct comprehensive pre-hospital clinical screenings for individuals referred for behavioral health admission.
• Obtain and review information regarding psychiatric presentation, medical history, current medications, substance use, behavioral concerns, risk factors, and current level of functioning.
• Assess for suicide risk, homicidal ideation, aggression, psychosis, withdrawal concerns, medical instability, and other factors that may affect placement.
• Determine whether the individual appears clinically appropriate for admission based on established hospital criteria and available services.
• Identify medical, psychiatric, behavioral, or safety concerns that may require a higher level of care or additional evaluation prior to admission.
• Communicate with referral sources to obtain missing or clarifying clinical information.
• Appropriately escalate complex or high-risk referrals to the appropriate physician, psychiatrist, nursing leader, or other clinical resource.
• Utilize sound clinical judgment while maintaining compliance with hospital admission policies, regulatory requirements, and standards of care.

Referral & Admission Coordination

• Coordinate the pre-admission process from initial referral through acceptance and arrival.
• Communicate admission decisions and requirements clearly and professionally to referral sources, patients, families, and other appropriate parties.
• Coordinate transportation and arrival information as appropriate.
• Ensure relevant clinical information is communicated to the receiving hospital team prior to patient arrival.
• Facilitate timely communication between referral sources and hospital departments.
• Maintain accurate documentation of referral, screening, and admission-related information.
• Identify barriers to admission and work collaboratively with internal and external partners to resolve them.
• Support efficient patient flow while maintaining patient safety and appropriate clinical standards.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate effectively with physicians, psychiatrists, advanced practice providers, nurses, therapists, social workers, referral coordinators, emergency department personnel, and other healthcare professionals.
• Provide concise, accurate clinical information to assist the receiving team in preparing for patient arrival.
• Collaborate with internal departments to facilitate safe and efficient admissions.
• Maintain professionalism and appropriate boundaries in all interactions with patients, families, referral sources, and community partners.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource regarding behavioral health admission processes and available hospital services.

Quality, Compliance & Patient Safety

• Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and hospital policies.
• Protect patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and other applicable privacy requirements.
• Accurately document all screening, triage, referral, and admission activities.
• Participate in quality improvement activities related to admissions, referrals, patient safety, and access to care.
• Identify and report potential patient safety concerns or barriers to appropriate placement.
• Maintain current knowledge of behavioral health standards, suicide risk assessment, crisis intervention, and other relevant clinical practices.
• Participate in staff education and training as assigned.

Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to ensuring the agency is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments as necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Kansas or a compact RN license recognized in Kansas.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional nursing experience, preferably in behavioral health, emergency department, or other acute-care settings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychiatric disorders, behavioral health treatment, crisis intervention, and patient safety.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct clinical interviews, gather pertinent patient information, and exercise sound clinical judgment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with healthcare professionals, patients, families, and community referral partners.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple referrals, and make timely decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and standard computer applications.
• Current BLS certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BSN or higher degree in nursing.
• Previous experience in behavioral health admissions, psychiatric triage, emergency psychiatric services, utilization review, or patient placement.
• Experience conducting pre-admission or telephone-based clinical assessments.
• Experience working with hospitals, emergency departments, community behavioral health agencies, or other referral organizations.
• Experience developing and maintaining professional referral relationships.
• Knowledge of local and regional behavioral health resources and levels of care.
• Experience with suicide risk assessment and crisis intervention.
• Experience with community outreach, healthcare networking, business development, or referral development.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a background check prior to employment.
• Must take and pass a pre-employment drug screening test.

Recruiter Contact Information

KDADS - Human Resources Recruiter

503 S. Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

Phone: 785-296-0463

Fax: 785-368-6688

Email: KDADS.APPLY@ks.gov

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.