Triage Nurse

Triage Nurse
Damien Cares Team

Damien Center empowers communities and persons affected by HIV/AIDS in the state of Indiana by being a leading resource, provider, and advocate for comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, prevention, education, and related services. Damien Center, Damien Cares and Damien Pharmacy provide client-centered social services focused on care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition to the Indianapolis community.

Position Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Lead Nurse, the Triage Nurse will be responsible for creating an environment of patient-focused care. This position will assess all walk-in patients, determine the severity of the patient's health concerns, and recommend treatment commensurate with the patient's needs. They will manage the nurse phone line and nursing assessments, collaborate with providers, and provide quality patient care in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and accreditation standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills.

• Participates in decision-making, teaching, mentoring, and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to advance the patient plan of care.
• Monitors and responds to triage calls in person and/or on the nurse phone line. Arranges transportation, physician appointments (including same day & walk-in's), external medical provider visits, or provides appropriate home health advice depending on urgency and severity of patients' needs
• Evaluates and assesses patient's health care and mental health needs based on patient's signs and symptoms utilizing established triage protocols and guidelines.
• Accurately documents symptoms/complaints, nursing assessment, advice provided and patient/caller response.
• Obtains appropriate input and direction from the provider as needed to determine best clinical course of action and recommendations for specific patient health care needs.
• Follows policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure consistency and departmental effectiveness as well as improve health care outcomes of patients/callers and their access to appropriate health care.
• Collects and records medical history and symptoms for HIV, PrEP, and primary care patients in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Administers medications and performs medical and nursing procedures in consultation with Medical Providers and within the scope of work.
• Monitors patient flow in the clinic; ensures that patients receive all recommended services in a timely manner.
• Documents triage assessment, plan, implementation, and evaluation, follow-up.
• Accurately records notes for all consultations and treatments and maintains clear and concise progress notes, problem lists, and medication lists.
• Assures that pertinent medical information is forwarded to proper departments as needed for continuity of patient care.
• Manages prescription refills per protocol.
• Handles routine information requests and education for patients: e.g., HIV/STI management, chronic disease, preventive and family, therapies, and healthful behaviors.
• Assists Lead RN with assigned administrative tasks: e.g., developing nursing policies and procedures, medical chart reviews and compiling data for audits and reports.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information in compliance with HIPAA and Damien Clinic standards of conduct and compliance
• Serves as a clinical resource and professional role model, communicates appropriately and tactfully with staff, consultants, patients, significant others/family, and community.
• Reduces conflict and increases patient satisfaction whenever possible through timely response to calls.
• Participates in staff, planning, in-service, and other meetings as needed.
• Performs other nursing functions as assigned by Lead RN. Assists providers with special procedures as needed.
• Adheres to the ANA Scope and Standards of Professional Nursing and the Code of Ethics for Nurses
• Ensures that medical assistants follow professional development and regulatory standards.
• Participates in Performance Improvement activities as assigned.
• Orders medications, supplies, and equipment as needed.

Education and/or Experience:

Associate or Bachelor of Nursing (ADN/ASN/BSN) degree from a nationally accredited nursing program required. Current Indiana licensure required. Basic Life Support certification through the AHA required. Minimum of three years' experience in direct patient care, preferably in an ambulatory care setting. Minimum of three years nursing management experience preferably in out-patient setting. Knowledge of HIV and STI infection and treatment required. Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred. Experience in Multi-Group Health Center setting preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Must operate with culturally sensitivity with respect to working with persons and groups of diverse racial, ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Experience in working in or with desired. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate.
• Maintains personal/professional competency and works to create an environment of courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly, Full-Time,
• Benefits: Complete Benefits Package Available
• Leader: Lead Nurse

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Please apply at www.damien.org/job-opportunities

This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment. Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.