Triage Assistant

Provides emergency medical assessment of the sick and injured presenting to the Emergency Center and assists with observation of patients in the Emergency Center waiting area. Works under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Physician in compliance with their licensure and hospital/departmental policies and procedures.

1. Demonstrates competency in the assessment of patients and family: • Recognize all age specific medical emergencies and critically ill patients prior to triage. • Responds in emergency situations to patients at outside entrance of Emergency Center. • Recognizes and prioritizes the critically ill patient and initiates appropriate interventions prior to triage. • Recognize patients not needing immediate emergency treatment for triage based on presenting symptoms and complaints. • Identifies patient/family language, learning and disability needs. • Performs ongoing assessments of patients in the triage waiting area and keeps the triage nurse informed of changes in patient status. • Actively involves other health care team members in the evaluation process. • Documents patient rechecks accurately. 

2. Utilizes effective interpersonal and communication skills: • Cheerfully greets all patients and families at front of Emergency Center within a reasonable time frame. • No justified customer complaints. • Responds politely and warmly to inquiries, providing information to families and visitors on patient’s location. • Utilizes effective communication skills to include active listening, assertiveness, tact and diplomacy. • Reports pertinent patient information to the appropriate person(s) in a clear, concise, accurate and timely manner • Engages in problem solving to resolve patient, staff or unit needs. • Documents legibly using concise terms, correct terminology and approved abbreviations. • Exhibits a professional, nonjudgmental demeanor. • Maintains composure in confrontational situations. • Works with people with varying personalities and in different emotional conditions and from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. • Recognizes peer accomplishments, accepts and gives constructive criticism and shares clinical knowledge. • Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients, families and members of the health care team through effective use of verbal and non-verbal communication skills. • Utilizes appropriate lines of authority. • Maintains confidentiality in accordance with hospital policy. 

3. Demonstrates competence in the following organizational skills: • Time management • Problem solving • Prioritization • Organization of work and environment • Timely response to patient/RN needs and requests 

4. Demonstrates self-growth/accountability: • Participates in unit quality assurance activities. • Participates in at least 50% of unit meetings and reads and initials minutes on meetings not attended. • Maintains awareness of hospital/division/unit procedure/policy changes which affect the delivery of patient care and unit activities. • Verbalizes how his/her job supports AH values, mission and vision. • Maintains awareness of current professional trends. 

5. Demonstrates competency in the implementation of care: • Recognizes and responds appropriately to emergency situations. • Safely administers patient care within the guidelines of licensure. • Ability to perform CPR. • Demonstrates and maintains fine motor skills to manipulate medical supplies and equipment. • Maintains licensure and annual competencies. • Performs an EKG on patients presenting with chest pain or symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome within 10 minutes and meets this 10 minute goal 75% of the time.

6. Participates in maintaining supplies, equipment and unit cleanliness: • Maintains a neat and orderly appearance of patient areas. • Reports broken, malfunctioning or missing equipment to the appropriate person. • Properly handles and stores equipment.

7. Demonstrates safe transport of patients and assists with flow of the patients through triage: • Transports patients to the Chest Pain Center after obtaining EKG • Transports patients to OB assessment after a brief interview by the triage nurse. • Transports critical patients directly to an EC bed upon patient arrival.

High School Diploma or equivalent required. Graduate of a college or technical school with a degree as a Paramedic, EMT or LPN

Licensed in the state of Georgia as a Paramedic, EMT or LPN.

Prior experience as LPN, Paramedic or EMT with field or hospital experience.

Basic life support/CPR, familiarity with medical terminology, basic skill in use of computer system, knowledge of hazardous chemicals, MDS information, ability to apply standard precautions and special isolation procedures, ability to remain calm under stressful conditions and perform duties.

Must be able to use visual near and distance acuity. Must have verbal ability to communicate in person and over the phone or ra