Triage Registered Nurse (Req 100989)

Description

 Be a part of the mission at Whitney Young Health (WYH) to provide high quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our diverse community.

WYH has a robust benefits package including generous time off, affordable health, dental and vision insurance, 401k with safe harbor employer match, tuition reimbursement, term life insurance, commuter benefits and more. Plus, RNs are eligible for loan repayment through the Nurse Corp Loan Repayment program!

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

While demonstrating excellent customer service, The Triage Registered Nurse (RN) at Whitney Young Health utilizes the nursing process to provide comprehensive professional nursing care, considering the individual patient’s physical, psychosocial and age-related needs. In a collaborative effort with provider, clinical, practice associate and customer service staff, acts as central figure for triage of walk-in patients, while emphasizing Health Center mission of quality care and access to care. The Triage Registered Nurse contributes to an environment where professional practice is actualized, and patient outcomes are measured. The Triage RN also assists the Nursing Supervisor to maintain efficient, effective means of patient flow within the medical department.  This role ensures optimum, safe environment, and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (i.e. OSHA, and NYSDOH) within the Medical Department.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Age Specific Criteria

• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide care to the age groups served (birth and above).
• Knowledge of normal growth and development.
• Ability to interpret age specific responses to treatment.
• Knowledge of age specific safety precautions.
• Knowledge of age specific medication dosages and side effects.
• Ability to communicate in an age-appropriate manner.
• Ability to provide age specific data to other caregivers.
• Knowledge of age specific anticipatory guidance.

Direct Clinical Responsibilities

• Performs clinical triage, including a comprehensive assessment, disposition, and education using established triage protocols and guidelines.
• Provides safe & effective care for patient/colleague/self.
• Utilizes nursing assessment skills, incorporates patient/family history, diagnostic and physical assessment to appropriately perform patient triage.
• Consistently follows established protocols and clinical guidelines in providing patient care including infection control, medication, and patient safety guidelines.
• Reviews provider schedules daily to determine appointment availability.
• In collaboration with provider, clinical, practice associate and customer service staff, schedules patients according to triage assessment and provider availability.
• The triage team is responsible for managing and caring for patients on the nurse visit schedule.
• Analyzes relevant patient data-history, diagnosis, and lab results.
• Integrate assessment results in care, planning, goals, and outcomes.
• Employs critical thinking skills to achieve outcomes and solve problems.
• Incorporates teaching in delivery of care to promote health and prevent disease.
• Recognizes and communicates changes in patient condition to providers in a timely manner.
• Manages transitions of care to ensure appropriate follow-up care and mitigate risks associated with readmission.
• Synthesizes inpatient data from all care services provided to patients to prepare for a transition of care appointment
• Collaborates with patient care team to identify patients discharged from emergency department to ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Uses data to identify gaps in services and initiates intervention.
• Refers patients to a variety of resources, including behavioral health, chronic care management, transportation services, nutrition, etc.
• Assesses and provides basic to complex patient education and counseling on the performance of tasks, skills, treatment and self-care integrating health promotion and preventive aspects of care. 
•  Refers questions to physician/provider and relays information back to patient as directed.
• Provides patient care based on evidence-based practice guidelines, standards of care, and federal/state laws and regulations.
• Documents patient assessment and intervention data using established medical record forms/automated systems.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams to improve patient care processes and outcomes.
• Interacts with patients, staff, colleagues, and team members in a professional manner.

Patient Emergencies

• Responds