Triage Nurse

About the role

The Triage Nurse will serve in a direct care and patient advocacy role and will ensure interdisciplinary care is optimized toward targeted outcomes. By collaborating with the Clinical Operations team to assess, plan, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate services and outcomes to maximize the patient's health. The Triage will ensure the safe and effective transition of care for patients discharging from the emergency department.

Responsibilities

• Conduct telephonic-based outreach to contact the patient or caregiver within 48 hours of discharge to conduct a comprehensive discharge assessment.
• Conduct medication reconciliation.
• Provide patient or caregiver education.
• Support post-discharge order fulfillment (i.e., Durable Medical Equipment, Home Health Care, etc.).
• Assess for any potential barriers to a successful transition to home, and evaluate for additional care planning needs.
• Confirm the patient has a provider appointment within 7-14 days of discharge, or sooner, depending on the post-discharge needs of the patient.
• Conduct real-time clinical triage either telephonically from a patient directly calling Upward Health for clinical care, a field staff member reaching out for escalation needs, or a systematic alert based on documentation entered in the system requiring review and triage.
• For Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) alerts, take immediate action for abnormal or out-of-range patient results.

Requirements

• Unrestricted registered nursing license in the state(s) of care management activities (minimum requirement).
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively communicate within the business structure.
• Experience with completing real-time documentation in EHR and/or Care Management systems.

Key behaviors

• Effective Communication: Clearly and compassionately communicating with patients and their families to gather information and explain processes.
• Calm Under Pressure: Maintaining composure in high-stress situations and managing multiple patient needs simultaneously.
• Active Listening: Paying close attention to patients' concerns to accurately assess their conditions.
• Empathy: Demonstrating understanding and compassion for patients' experiences and emotions.
• Team Collaboration: Working effectively with other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless patient care.

Competencies

• Clinical Assessment Skills: Strong ability to evaluate patient symptoms and vital signs quickly and accurately.
• Critical Thinking: Using sound judgment to prioritize patient needs based on severity and urgency.
• Knowledge of Medical Protocols: Familiarity with triage guidelines and protocols specific to the healthcare setting.
• Decision-Making: Making quick and informed decisions regarding patient prioritization and the need for immediate intervention.
• Technology Proficiency: Competence in using electronic health records and triage software to document assessments and track patient information.
• Knowledge of Community Resources: Understanding available resources for referrals and support services outside the immediate healthcare setting.