Phone Triage Nurse Job Opening

Phone Triage Nurse

Orthopaedic Associates

• Newburgh, Indiana
Category: Nurse
Orthopaedic Associates is a 14-physician orthopaedic practice with five locations in Evansville and Newburgh, IN and Henderson, KY. We are currently hiring a Phone Triage Nurse.

Under the general supervision of the Team Leader and Clinical Operations Officer, the Phone Triage Nurse performs care coordination and professional nursing functions to assess the severity of the patient’s orthopaedic concerns using protocol and algorithms in a manner that provides patients emergency care, Immediate Ortho Care, clinic appointments and triage services within the scope of the licensed practice. The Phone Triage Nurse will be part of the care team supporting general orthopaedic care processes alongside Orthopaedic Associates’ providers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Manage clinical phone calls and in-bound clinical text messages from patients and answer them according to protocols or defer to the appropriate provider
  • Evaluate and assess patient’s orthopaedic needs based on patient’s signs and symptoms utilizing established protocols and guidelines.
  • Obtain appropriate input and direction from the provider as needed to determine best clinical course of action and recommendation for specific patient needs.
  • Accurately document signs/symptoms, nursing assessment, advice provided and patient/caller response. Follow policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure consistency and departmental effectiveness as well as improved orthopaedic outcomes of patients/callers and their access to care.
  • Coordinate and schedule same-day and walk-in appointments on the provider schedule as needed.
  • Utilize standing orders, triage protocols and algorithms appropriately
  • Monitor patient flow in clinic and perform nursing functions as needed
  • Manage prescription refills per protocol
  • Provide patient education
  • Participate in Performance Improvement activities as assigned
  • Assure that pertinent medical information is forwarded to proper departments as needed for continuity of care

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct reports: none

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Associates or bachelor’s degree from accredited college/university and current unrestricted Indiana Registered Nurse license required. Triage experience preferred.
  • Strong prioritization, critical thinking, and communication skills
  • Demonstrate clinical competence and knowledge of disease processes
  • Must possess community health knowledge and theory
  • General computer and telephone skills required
  • Nursing skills with and without visual inspections
  • Capacity to function independently within licensed scope of practice
  • Must have the ability to handle stressful situations calmly and effectively.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is habitually required to talk and hear. Adequate knowledge of computer usage and ability to tolerate viewing on computer monitors for extended periods of time is necessary. This job involves continuous phone usage while desk-bound for upwards of 80% of the day. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Radiation or chemical exposure is possible. The employee may occasionally be required to stand with some lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds using arms and legs when assisting in clinic. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The job is performed indoors in a medical office. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements for the performance for this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.