Hospice Triage Nurse (RN) Mon-Fri, 8a-5p

Description

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position.
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
The position demonstrates competency in delivering quality patient care to patients in the service of Hospice of the Piedmont ranging in age from infants to geriatrics by managing patient telephone calls.

The Triage Nurse (RN) is responsible for using clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to identify, analyze and assist with resolving patient care issues and provides patient care in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act and agency policies, procedures, and standards of care. The Triage Nurse supports the homecare team through collaboration, communication, and coordination of clinical administrative tasks.

Essential Duties

• Independently triages and manages patient and family telephone calls by applying advanced clinical assessment, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice principles to identify, analyze, and prioritize patient care issues.
• Interprets complex patient symptoms using professional nursing judgment and established protocols to formulate individualized plans of care, escalate concerns, and resolve patient care problems with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Documents accurately and timely each patient interaction/call and intervention and other patient/family and physician contacts according to agency policy through use of the electronic medical record. Documentation should be complete at the end of the day.
• Communicates and collaborates with the members of the appropriate interdisciplinary team and provider regarding patient needs and care. Contacts patient’s physician as necessary to obtain medical orders.
• Provides patient and/or caregiver with appropriate instructions to support safe care of the patient in the home.
• Makes follow-up telephone calls to contracted agencies and the patient/family as needed to evaluate care and meet patient needs.
• Collaborates with the homecare team to ensure high-priority patient care needs, and time-sensitive information is relayed to stakeholders and provides recommendations for follow up.
• Adds urgency to prescription needs and medication availability challenges on behalf of the homecare team, coordinating with pharmacies to ensure timely resolution.
• Aids the provider team by managing routine prescription refill approvals in the prescription processing program.
• Reviews controlled substance refill history through the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) as needed.
• Coordinates DME orders and delivery needs for homecare patients based on needs identified during triage calls with patients and families.
• Aids in coordinating outpatient procedures/services, mobile x-ray, and drain supplies.
• Aids in coordinating Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy referrals end-to-end, including submitting evaluation orders, securing follow-up visit approvals, and ensuring timely receipt and documentation of therapy visit notes in the patient chart.

Job Requirements

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing – Associates Degree
• Two years clinical nursing experience
• Current North Carolina Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse
• Previous hospice work experience preferred

Qualifications

• Skills
• Behaviors
• Motivations
• Education
• Experience
• Licenses & Certifications

Skills

• Required: Associates or better in Nursing.

Behaviors

• Required: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Required: Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Required: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Required: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Required: Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Motivations

• Required: Ability to maintain positive working relationships and courteous interaction with public.

Education

• Required: Associates or better in Nursing.

Experience

• Required: Two years: Clinical nursing experience.

Licenses & Certifications

• Required: Auto Liability Drivers License
• Required: CPR RN