Registered Nurse Float

Job Description- Medical- Convenient Care/ Telephone Triage RN 
Job Title: Convenient Care/ Telephone Triage RN             Reports to: Nurse Manager
Department: Medical FLSA                         Status: Non-Exempt
Job Grade: 9C

General Responsibilities:
Provides clinical and technical support in a community health center urgent care setting.
Utilizes strong assessment skills to independently evaluate, treat, and deliver care to patients across the lifespan. Provides high-quality clinical and customer service response by promptly prioritizing triage calls and performs successful telephone assessments of patient’s conditions using established guidelines/protocols under the clinical guidance/supervision of the Physician and/or NP. Contributes to seamless delivery of excellent patient care while using established practice guidelines to counsel and educate patients on their chronic and acute health conditions. Conducts nursing patient visits, included but not limited to testing, medication and vaccine administration, and patient education. Works within the care team to develop appropriate relationships with patients, families, and colleagues while providing the highest quality patient care.

Required Qualifications:
 
•    Current State of Rhode Island Registered Nurse license
•    Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with patients, providers, other members of the health care team, other disciplines, and community agencies.
•    Professionalism, self-starter, leadership skills, triage skills, documentation skills, and teaching skills.
•    Experience with computers, web- based programs, EMR. 
•    Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.
•    BLS certification 
•    Successful completion of competency (oral and written) for CLIA waived test.

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Two or more years of nursing experience preferred.
•    Ambulatory Health Care experience preferred.  
•    Candidates who do not meet all the preferred qualifications are encouraged to apply. 

Significant Job Functions:
•    RN duties include triage, assessment, point-of-care testing, all physician-ordered treatments, discharge, and patient education.
•    Provides direct and indirect care that is safe, ethical, patient- and family-centered, culturally competent, and evidence-based.
•    Manages incoming referrals for treatment and schedules patients accordingly.
•    Assess and treat patients in a fast-paced, high-volume urgent care setting.
•    Obtains and documents accurate medical history, determines chief complaint, all current patient medication, and allergies within the EMR.
•    Assists providers in urgent care procedures. 
•    Triages incoming telephone calls from patients seeking clinical direction and advice. Identifies emergent situations and effectively triages to an appropriate disposition. Answers the callers’ questions and provides pertinent advice and education.
•    Uses standardized adult and pediatric protocols. Seeks assistance when a protocol is not available or when clinically appropriate.
•    Assesses patients for potential communicable diseases and utilizes infection control precautions. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection control policies and protocols.
•    Notifies patients of test results under the guidance and knowledge of providers.
•    Collaborates across disciplines to coordinate patient care, including patient transfer, discharge, referral, and spiritual/psychosocial support needs.
•    Performs ordered point-of-care testing (CLIA), including specimen collection, and proper documentation.
•    Demonstrates proper medication and vaccine management processes.
•    Maintains supplies and equipment to meet the needs of the department in a fiscally responsible manner.
•    Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality of protected health information.
•    Performs other work duties as requested/ directed. 
•    Works collaboratively with co-workers and effectively communicates with colleagues, patients, and visitors.
•    Assumes responsibility for professional continuing education.
•     Maintains OSHA and HIPPA guidelines while adhering to organizational policies and procedures.
•    Utilizes standing orders and standard operating procedures.
•     Actively participates in performance improvement and quality improvement activities.

Physical Effort/Environment:
•    Moderate physical activity, walking, standing, stooping, and occasional lifting. 
•    Potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens, infectious diseases i.e. respiratory (Covid-19, Tuberculosis), and biohazardous materials. 
•    Manual dexterity for injections, and computer use.

Work Schedule Demands:
•    Full-time to part-time position as scheduled during hours of operation (inclusive of weekend and evening hours as assigned) with occasional unscheduled overtime.

Communication Skills: 
•    Interpreting medical terminology. Uses all available methods of communication with patients such as interpreting, counseling, group discussion, written materials, and visual aids.
•    Has sensitivity to the patient population we serve by identifying cultural, social, and economic characteristics.
•    Able to document clearly, competently, and concisely in the medical record. 
•    Able to assist with clinical audits; databases as assigned.
•    Ability to work as a team member for performance improvement initiatives.
•    Ability to maintain the confidentiality of protected health information and communicate in a professional manner with patients, families, other staff, and outside contacts.

Confidentiality of Information:
•    Full access to the patient’s medical record. Maintains confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA at all levels of patient interaction.