Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Griffin Health Services Corporation
Derby, CT

GFP Triage Nurse, Full-Time, Days

Location: Ansonia, CT - Griffin Faculty Physicians Patient Support Center Main Function: Primary responsibilities include triaging incoming calls, assessing needs, and giving appropriate clinical options using the nursing processes and approved guidelines to assist in obtaining the appropriate level of care and or self-care education to the patient. They will triage the patient and make clinical decisions about patients needing to be seen stat, urgent/emergent, or routine, based on the guidelines for the system and confers with physicians as needed. The Triage Nurse will assist with provider tasks (buckets), implementing physician orders, notifies patients of results, and refills prescriptions. Superb customer service skills, empathy, patience, and the ability to give guidance to concerned callers. Should exhibit good clinical judgment, critical thinking, assessment skills, and excellent verbal communication skills. Proficiency in utilizing an electronic medical record highly desired. Education: Must hold a current Connecticut State Registered Nursing License Experience: Prior triage experience required Essential Responsibilities & Duties 1. Support and uphold the mission, objectives, and policies of Griffin Health System. 2. Responds promptly to calls received. 3. If call warrants a triage, the caller's stated symptoms will be assessed to determine the appropriate level of care required to safely meet the patient's medical needs. Stat, urgent/emergent, or routine will be directed to the emergency room, urgent care, or an appointment with their physician during office hours. 4. When appropriate, provide home care instructions using the approved, written guidelines as well as approved reference material provided. 5. Utilize all resources and guidelines at his/her disposal to effectively assess, prioritize, advise, schedule classes or physician appointments, or refer calls when necessary to the appropriate medical facility, personnel, or specialized community service. 6. Refer patients to appropriate medical facilities or providers for care, utilizing approved guidelines as indicated by individual client profiles. 7. Thoroughly complete documentation utilizing the appropriate computer software in compliance with the approved policies and procedures. 8. Work assigned physician tasks (buckets) a. Orders b. Results c. Refills 9. Maintain current nursing licensure by completing applications for renewal in a timely manner and by complying with all requirements for continuing education. No nurse will be scheduled to work any shift if their nursing license has expired or has been revoked for any reason. It is the nurse's responsibility to notify the Call Center Director immediately if their license status changes. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in termination of employment. 10. Maintain current nursing skills and knowledge base by attendance at workshops and seminars, completion of mandatory continuing education, reading of professional journals, publications, and participation in professional organizations. Performance Requirements: Knowledge: 1. Knowledge of telephone-based clinical assessment techniques. 2. Knowledge of medical practice telephone triage protocols. 3. Knowledge of appropriate home health information for patients to follow until visit with physician, if they do not need an immediate ER visit. Skills: 1. Skill in using electronic medical records to check patient history. 2. Skill in making triage decisions and responding quickly and calmly in emergency situations. 3. Excellent organizational and documentation skills Abilities: 1. Ability to communicate clearly and calmly with patient. 2. Ability to elicit information needed to assess the patient effectively. 3. Ability to work closely with physicians and other clinicians. 4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, physicians, coworkers, staff and medical service providers. 5. Strong ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; thoughts are logical and clearly expressed. Education: Must hold a current Connecticut State Registered Nursing License Experience: Prior triage experience required