Triage Nurse (RN)

Job Description

Job Description

COMMUNITY HEALTH:

Community Health is a primary care network that provides nationally-recognized programs, a focus on wellness, dental, behavioral health and pediatric specialties, walk-in Express Care, a culture of community and quality health care that almost everyone, insured or uninsured, has come to depend on. As an equal opportunity employer, we offer a team-oriented, collaborative work environment for close to 400 employees at eight different locations in Rutland and southern Addison counties. 

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Triage Nurse plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient and effective management of patient care in Community Health. This position involves assessing and prioritizing patient needs, providing timely and appropriate clinical advice, and facilitating communication between patients and providers/teams. The Triage Nurse is a key member of the healthcare team, contributing to the delivery of high-quality patient-centered care

FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: 

• Patient Assessment:
  • Conduct thorough and accurate assessments of patients' symptoms, complaints, and medical history over the phone, in person and telehealth encounters.
  • Utilize critical thinking skills to triage patients based on the urgency and severity of their condition.

• Medical Advice and Guidance:
  • Provide evidence-based clinical advice and guidance to patients, including self-care instructions, medication recommendations, and when to seek immediate medical attention. Utilizes Clear Triage as a resource to ensure that appropriate questions are being asked to fully assess the patient’s needs
  • Collaborate with healthcare providers to ensure the delivery of appropriate care based on established protocols.

• Communication and Documentation:
  • Communicate effectively with patients, their families, and healthcare team members.
  • Document all triage activities, including patient assessments, recommendations, and follow-up actions, in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
  • Assigns a triage rating based on observations and available information.

• Coordination of Care:
  • Collaborate with healthcare providers and other members of the healthcare team to schedule appointments, order necessary tests, labs, referrals and coordinate follow-up care.
  • Facilitate communication between patients and specialty clinics or other healthcare facilities as needed.

• Emergency Situations:
  • Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations, providing clear and concise instructions to patients while activating emergency services when necessary.
  • Collaborate with emergency medical services and coordinate the transfer of patients to the appropriate level of care.

• Patient Education:
  • Educate patients on preventive measures, chronic disease management, and health promotion.
  • Provide resources and information to empower patients to actively participate in their healthcare.

• Clinical Resource
  • Support to non-licensed staff providing guidance in the care or treatment of a patient in the office -including rapid responses; vaccine or medication validation; and any other clinically related question