Job Description

Triage Registered Nurse

Be a part of the mission at Whitney Young Health (WYH) to provide high quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our diverse community.

WYH has a robust benefits package including generous time off, affordable health, dental and vision insurance, 401k with safe harbor employer match, tuition reimbursement, term life insurance, commuter benefits and more! Plus, RNs are eligible for loan repayment through the Nurse Corp Loan Repayment program!

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

While demonstrating excellent customer service, The Triage Registered Nurse (RN) at Whitney Young Health utilizes the nursing process to provide comprehensive professional nursing care, considering the individual patients physical, psychosocial and age-related needs. In a collaborative effort with provider, clinical, practice associate and customer service staff, acts as central figure for triage of walk-in patients, while emphasizing Health Center mission of quality care and access to care. The Triage Registered Nurse contributes to an environment where professional practice is actualized, and patient outcomes are measured. The Triage RN also assists the Nursing Supervisor to maintain efficient, effective means of patient flow within the medical department. This role ensures optimum, safe environment, and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (i.e. OSHA, and NYSDOH) within the Medical Department.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Age Specific Criteria

• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide care to the age groups served (birth and above).
• Knowledge of normal growth and development.
• Ability to interpret age specific responses to treatment.
• Knowledge of age specific safety precautions.
• Knowledge of age specific medication dosages and side effects.
• Ability to communicate in an age-appropriate manner.
• Ability to provide age specific data to other caregivers.
• Knowledge of age specific anticipatory guidance.

Direct Clinical Responsibilities

• Performs clinical triage, including a comprehensive assessment, disposition, and education using established triage protocols and guidelines.
• Provides safe & effective care for patient/colleague/self.
• Utilizes nursing assessment skills, incorporates patient/family history, diagnostic and physical assessment to appropriately perform patient triage.
• Consistently follows established protocols and clinical guidelines in providing patient care including infection control, medication, and patient safety guidelines.
• Reviews provider schedules daily to determine appointment availability.
• In collaboration with provider, clinical, practice associate and customer service staff, schedules patients according to triage assessment and provider availability.
• The triage team is responsible for managing and caring for patients on the nurse visit schedule.
• Analyzes relevant patient data-history, diagnosis, and lab results.
• Integrate assessment results in care, planning, goals, and outcomes.
• Employs critical thinking skills to achieve outcomes and solve problems.
• Incorporates teaching in delivery of care to promote health and prevent disease.
• Recognizes and communicates changes in patient condition to providers in a timely manner.
• Manages transitions of care to ensure appropriate follow-up care and mitigate risks associated with readmission.
• Synthesizes inpatient data from all care services provided to patients to prepare for a transition of care appointment
• Collaborates with patient care team to identify patients discharged from emergency department to ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Uses data to identify gaps in services and initiates intervention.
• Refers patients to a variety of resources, including behavioral health, chronic care management, transportation services, nutrition, etc.
• Assesses and provides basic to complex patient education and counseling on the performance of tasks, skills, treatment and self-care integrating health promotion and preventive aspects of care.
• Refers questions to physician/provider and relays information back to patient as directed.
• Provides patient care based on evidence-based practice guidelines, standards of care, and federal/state laws and regulations.
• Documents patient assessment and intervention data using established medical record forms/automated systems.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams to improve patient care processes and outcomes.
• Interacts with patients, staff, colleagues, and team members in a professional manner.

Patient Emergencies

• Responds to all "Triage Nurse Calls, Physician Stat, and any Emergent overhead pages.
• Accompanies Provider to code location while other nurses obtain the emergency equipment and oxygen.
• Obtains patient vital signs, circumstances pertaining to current condition, past medical history, drug allergies, and current medications that the patient is taking and will relay this information to the Provider.
• Provides patient care with other nurses, assisting as necessary.
• Administers medications according to critical elements.
• Recognize, communicate, document normal and abnormal findings.
• Communication with others is accurate, considerate, & timely
• Interacts effectively with patients & team members that are culturally sensitive and appropriate to age.
• Language barriers and sensory and cognitive deficits are accommodated.
• If the responding provider determines that paramedics need to be called, the Triage Nurse or designee will dial 911 and give pertinent information to the dispatcher.
• If paramedics are called, asks one of the responding nurses to ensure that emergency personnel are directed to the area.
• Assists provider, as requested, to communicate pertinent patient information (oral and written) to the paramedic team for patient transfer to the hospital.
• Ensures that emergency equipment and supplies are restocked as needed.
• Ensures that Emergency Equipment on the code cart is available in the triage area and ready for safe use at all times (i.e. medications are not outdated, emergency logs are checked and dated weekly, AED is checked weekly AED pads monthly, equipment is secured with Lock tags, oxygen tanks are maintained and full at all times for emergencies).
• Documents all patient care and related communications in the Medical Record in a timely manner (see policy/procedure MD-16).
• Initiates documentation when a walk-in triage patient is being seen the same day.
• Maintains accurate and timely telephone and written correspondence.

Telephonic Consultation

• Assists appointment staff with requests for same day appointments.
• Receives calls regarding critical issues (e.g., patient with chest pain, critical test results, and urgent calls from Emergency Departments), and activates immediate and appropriate follow-up.

Performance Improvement

• Participates in interdepartmental/departmental Performance Improvement projects.
• Assists the Nursing Supervisor in identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Assists with collection of data for performance improvement activities.

Customer Service

• Keeps patients informed about delays.
• Assist patients in identifying alternative care options when needed.
• Demonstrate excellence in both internal and external customer service.

Other

• Demonstrated ability to effectively make critical, independent decisions.
• Excellent organization, prioritization and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills including delegation, organization, prioritization and building team rapport.
• Proficient computer skills including keyboarding, navigation within a windows operating system, use of electronic mail and electronic medical records systems.
• Assists and collaborates with Care Management team to update care plans, as directed by the Director of Nursing.
• Consistently completes assignments in a timely manner with minimal assistance or overtime.
• Seeks and accepts additional assignments.
• Maintains responsibility for attendance and punctuality.
• Assists with staff orientation and ongoing education as a clinical resource for staff.
• Demonstrates excellence in both internal and external customer service.
• Understands and effectively communicates HIPAA compliance, corporate compliance, and client confidentiality.
• Ensures and/or remains in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, i.e., OASAS, NYS DOH.
• Adheres to the National Patient Safety Goals as defined by the Joint Commission and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Services.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduate from an accredited school for Registered Professional Nurses; Current registration as a licensed Registered Professional Nurse in New York State; Current CPR certification; one to three years relevant clinical nursing experience; Knowledge of managed care requirements; Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication; B.L.S. Certification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in Triage, Emergency Department, and/or Urgent care setting; Demonstrated competence in multi-cultural medical setting; Bilingual skills; Bachelors Degree in Nursing.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected status.

Salary range: $73,000 - $83,200 annually

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