Purpose: Triages or manages symptom-based encounters with a patient over the phone or video by a Registered Nurse utilizing evidence-based triage protocols. With the goal to decrease unnecessary visits to physicians, APP’s, and the emergency room, as well as to provide information for self-care, uses excellent communication and information-gathering skills to determine the best course of action for the patient. Deals with the entire spectrum, from healthy patients to the acute and chronically ill. Telehealth triage nursing is based on the six-step nursing process: nursing assessment, diagnosis, goal/outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Interventions commonly applied by the Telehealth Triage RN - Lead include:
identifies and clarifies patient needs; conducts health education; promotes patient advocacy and self-efficacy; and assists the patient to navigate the health care system.
Duties & Responsibilities: Accepts telephone calls from patients with varying levels of acuity and types of medical concerns. Promotes clear and coherent verbal communication following an appropriate line of questioning. Utilizes the electronic medical record to access and review patient records, steps through triage protocols to review possible conditions, relatable signs and symptoms, and evidence-based treatments, and facilitates next steps. Provides clear health information, assistance with medication refills as needed, thorough patient education, recommendation for use of over-the-counter medications as appropriate, and recommendations for the next steps to take. Evaluates the significance of the patient’s concern, determine if emergency care is needed, if a medical appointment should be made, or if the concern should be reported to the appropriate physician. Works for first call resolution of patient’s concern or need as appropriate. Completes Transitional Care Management telephone encounters for post hospital patients. Functions independently in a fast-paced environment. Assists with training of new coworkers and the onboarding process. Serves as a preceptor for new coworkers and established coworkers as needed. Perform quality call audits for peer nurses. Maintains nursing resources, files, and tools with updated information. Splits time between taking incoming calls and completing lead tasks.
Also responsible for safe, efficient, and timely triage of patients calling with psychiatric/substance abuse needs to Parkview ambulatory care providers. Coordinates care for the patient with other staff and provides clinical information to physicians or advanced practitioners to make appropriate recommendation for level of care or outpatient referral. Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and how to access their services when screening patients and family mental health needs.
