Phone Triage Nurse

About This Role

This night-shift post on the cardiac ward pairs patient care with mentoring new nurses. The Phone Triage Nurse performs care coordination and professional nursing functions to assess the severity of patients' orthopaedic concerns using protocols and algorithms. This role provides emergency care, urgent care, clinic appointments, and triage services within the scope of licensed practice, supporting general orthopaedic care processes alongside Orthopaedic Associates' providers.

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
• Assist in procedure room set-up, patient care, and placement
• Monitor patient vitals pre and post procedure
• 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
• Assist with running provider clinics and preop as needed
• Maintain patient confidentiality in compliance with company policies and procedures
• Assist with in-office procedures

Requirements

• Associates or bachelor's degree from accredited college/university
• Current unrestricted Indiana Registered Nurse license
• Strong prioritization, critical thinking, and communication skills
• Demonstrate clinical competence and knowledge of disease processes
• Community health knowledge and theory
• General computer and telephone skills
• Nursing skills with and without visual inspections
• Capacity to function independently within licensed scope of practice
• Ability to handle stressful situations calmly and effectively