Triage Nurse

General Job Description

Responsible for providing professional clinical care for clinic patients following established standards and practices. Triage will handle phone calls from the patients/family members who are seeking medical information and medical attention. Assists physicians and staff in coordinating patient care. Functions as primary liaison between patients, staff, and physicians. Duties include, but are not limited to, answering phones, scheduling appointments and triaging symptoms. Provides information to patients so they may fully utilize and benefit from clinic services, including support services and palliative treatments. Conveys a positive image of clinic.

essential job Responsibilities:

· Functions independently, utilizing triage process to assess patient telephone calls in accordance with safe, quality patient care in the most cost-effective setting

· Serves as a patient advocate and as an extension of the patient care team

· Follows clinic specific protocols and/or professional judgment and assessment skills to identify the nature and urgency of patient needs to determine the appropriate disposition

· Responds to calls from patients in a professional and timely manner utilizing strong listening skills to be able to interpret patient's complaint(s) so that they can form a thorough assessment of the patient's problem without the ability to visually observe or assess the patient

· Assesses the caller’s needs and determines the acuity and extent of the patient’s condition, concerns, or progressive status

· Evaluates 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 triage. Processes messages from patients and front office staff to physicians and associate practitioners to include, but not limited to, pharmacy requests, test results, medical questions and concerns and responds as directed by the provider and documents in the EMR.

· In the absence of a physician, physician assistant or RN, Triage will conduct initial patient assessment during an emergency situation.

· Triage performs nursing functions and shared clinical responsibilities according to the scope of practice outlined by the Nurse Practice Act of the state in which the LVN is licensed or the CMA is certified.

· Maintain all logs and required checks (i.e. refrigerator temperatures, emergency medications, expired medications, oxygen, cold sterilization fluid change, etc.) as assigned.

· Assists with training activities as needed.

· Maintains accuracy and productivity levels as established by department standards.

· Performs, organizes, and streamlines operational tasks to reduce the potential for errors.

· Maintains patient safety and confidentiality at all times.

· Travels to other clinics as assigned or as required.

· All other duties as assigned.

WORK EXPERIENCE

· Minimum of 1-3 years of hands-on clinical experience working with a licensed physician or associate practitioner preferred. Preference given to those with Urology experience.

· Minimum of 1-3 years of phlebotomy skills preferred.

· Minimum of 1-3 years of administering injections preferred.

Skills

· Exceptional customer service and phone etiquette.

· Ability to maintain effective and organized systems to ensure timely patient flow.

· Working knowledge of medical terminology.

· Computer proficiency and prior experience with Electronic Medical Records preferred.

· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIreMENTS

· Requires frequent lifting of patients and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds unassisted.

· Adequate physical ability including sufficient manual dexterity to perform the requisite healthcare services.

Education

· College degree preferred.

· LVN/RN licensure required (or) CMA with 5+ years of experience

· Active CPR/BLS certification.