RN, Triage Diabetes/Endocrinology Clinic

Department Overview

The ambulatory triage nurse functions as a key component of telehealth and ambulatory care, using professional nursing judgment to assess patient needs, determine appropriate levels of care, and provide evidence-based guidance remotely. According to the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN), telephone triage is a specialized area of telehealth nursing in which registered nurses apply critical thinking and comprehensive assessment skills to help patients identify the safest and most appropriate care options, ranging from selfcare to urgent or emergent evaluation. These nurses gather symptom information, evaluate acuity, offer clinical advice aligned with established protocols, coordinate care, and help prevent unnecessary emergency department or urgent care utilization, ultimately serving as an essential bridge between patients and the healthcare system.

 

• Schedule:
  • Work unit: Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center and Adult Endocrinology – Marquam Hill
  • Shift length: 8-hour shifts
  • Weekend obligations: None
  • Call Obligations: None

Schedule: variable start/stop times.  Specific schedule will be managed in Qgenda 

Function/Duties of Position

The Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center (HSDHC) and Adult Endocrinology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a nationally recognized center of excellence providing comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence-based care for children and adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and a variety of endocrinology conditions. Serving primarily patients from Oregon and Washington, the Center supports individuals who are newly diagnosed, require ongoing management, experience chronic complications, or are hospitalized due their condition. Patients are referred by physicians or other healthcare clinicians and receive access to a full spectrum of supportive services, including diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES), behavioral health, medical nutrition therapy (MNT), continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin pump training, caregiver education, and opportunities to participate in related clinical trials.  Care is provided on-site and virtually.

 

The Endocrinology and Diabetes Triage Registered Nurse requires strong clinical judgment, the ability to triage and prioritize patient needs, and a deep understanding of endocrinology and diabetes emergencies, diabetes technology, and evidence-based care practices. The Triage RN is responsible for:

• Onsite multimodal triage utilizing telephone, electronic messaging and in-person communication to facilitate timely clinical interventions and reduce acute avoidable care utilization
• Endocrine and Glucose Crisis Assessment & Management: Triages patients reporting acute emergencies including severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, provides immediate intervention and escalates to privileged provider or emergency services when clinically indicated.
• Medication Management and Education: Executes privileged provider-approved dose adjustment protocols and communicates medication changes to patients. 
• Supports privileged providers processing urgent medication refills.
• Continuous Glucose Monitor (CMG) & Insulin Pump Troubleshooting: Reviews CGM data and insulin pump reports, identifies glycemic patterns for privileged provider review, and assists patients with basic device troubleshooting.
• Endocrine and Diabetes-Related Complication Monitoring & Referral Coordination: Triages symptoms suggestive of disease-related complications and coordinates privileged provider follow up and/or referrals to appropriate specialty services.
• Diabetes Self-Management Support: Reinforces patient self-management education during triage encounters, including sick-day rules, hypoglycemia treatment, and emergency care guidance, bridging gaps between formal DSMES visits and routine appointments.  Facilitate same day scheduling with education team and/or provider
• Supports privileged providers in the insulin pump order process and coordinates associated education referrals in accordance with established workflows   
• Serves as a central point of contact for patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members to promote continuity of care, care coordination and timely, efficient management of emerging clinical concerns.

 

OHSU Mission

Improve the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond. We strive to realize this vision through partnerships that will make us a national leader in health and science innovation.

 

OHSU Nursing Vision

As professional nurses, we partner with our community and each other to provide innovative, compassionate and excellent patient-centered care.

 

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