Description

The Triage Nurse provides triage advice services to callers by utilizing the nursing process, conducting telephonic assessments in accordance with the protocol, researching clinical situations in order to educate the caller on the severity of the condition, and directing patient care within a defined period of time to be delivered at the patient’s home or in an appropriate clinical setting. 

Requirements

Functions independently, utilizing the nursing process to triage patient telephone calls in accordance with approved protocols ensuring safe, quality patient care in the most cost effective setting.

• Completes patient assessments in accordance with protocols, utilizing sound professional judgment and clinical decision making skills. 
• Answers or responds to calls from patients in a professional and timely manner.
• Assesses the caller’s needs and determines the acuity and extent of the patient’s condition, concerns, or progressive status. 
• Directs care and triages in accordance with established protocols to support the primary provider’s practice.
• Assesses the caller to determine their understanding of the severity and extent of the patient’s current condition and the caller’s understanding and ability to carry out all instructions provided by the triage nurse.
• Communicates with patient’s physician regarding the patients’ needs.
• Follows up with patient and/or physician as appropriate.
• Generates and accurately documents all patient telephone encounters in the electronic medical record.
• Schedules appointments as indicated.
• Educates patients, family members and care givers on plan of action.
• Maintains quality control standards (HIPAA, OSHA).
• Performs all other related duties as assigned

Minimum Required Education, Experience & Skills

• Registered Nurse with a current, unrestricted license to work in the state of employment
• 3 years of experience working as an RN in a clinical setting
• Current CPR certification
• Diverse clinical knowledge base 
• Strong critical thinking and listening skills
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to conduct a brief, focused interview
• Strong physical assessment skills
• Ability to make rapid, accurate decisions

Physical & Mental Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to use fine motor skills to operate office equipment and/or machinery
• Ability to receive and comprehend instructions verbally and/or in writing
• Ability to use logical reasoning for simple and complex problem solving
• Ability to travel to multiple locations to support business needs as required