Triage Licensed Practical Nurse | Pediatrics - Children Medical Service Center | Day Shift

The Behavioral & Developmental Triage Nurse provides specialized clinical triage and care coordination for patients and families receiving services through the Pediatric Behavioral & Developmental specialty clinic at Pediatric CMS. This role serves as a primary clinical resource for families, providers, schools, and community partners by providing timely telephone triage, medication-related support, care coordination, and follow-up.

The position provides Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.

-5:00 p.m. specialty clinic triage coverage and supports the safe, efficient management of behavioral, developmental, and medication-related concerns.

• Provide Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.
  
  -5:00 p.m. telephone triage for patients and families followed by the Behavioral & Developmental specialty clinic.
• Assess and triage behavioral and developmental concerns, changes in symptoms, medication reactions or side effects, and other clinical concerns.
• Provide appropriate nursing guidance based on established protocols and clinical judgment.
• Identify urgent or emergent concerns and facilitate timely escalation to the appropriate provider, emergency services, or level of care.
• Provide specialized assessment and triage for self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other safety concerns
  , including appropriate risk escalation and coordination with the clinical team and emergency resources when indicated.
• Communicate effectively with patients, parents/caregivers, providers, and other members of the care team.

• Review and process prescription refill requests in accordance with clinic protocols.
• Review medication-related questions and concerns, including potential adverse reactions and side effects, and coordinate appropriate provider follow-up.
• Assist with medication prior authorizations (PAs), including gathering required clinical information and coordinating with providers, pharmacies, and insurance plans.
• Support medication-related care coordination and communication between families, pharmacies, and the specialty care team.

• Conduct soon post-discharge follow-up calls for patients recently discharged from inpatient or other higher levels of care, as directed by clinic protocols.
• Assess ongoing needs, medication concerns, safety concerns, and barriers to follow-up.
• Communicate significant findings to the appropriate provider and facilitate timely follow-up when needed.
• Reinforce discharge instructions and help families navigate the transition back to outpatient specialty care.

• Assist families with coordinating specialty appointments and follow-up care.
• Help facilitate scheduling and coordination for specialty evaluations and services, including CARS, CADE, and other Behavioral & Developmental clinic services
  .
• Identify barriers to care and communicate with appropriate staff to support timely access to services.
• Coordinate communication among providers and other members of the multidisciplinary care team as appropriate.

• Assist with school-related forms and documentation within the scope of the role and clinic processes.
• Provide families with appropriate education, resources, and guidance related to behavioral and developmental care.
• Help families understand care plans, follow-up recommendations, and available community or educational resources.

The Behavioral & Developmental Triage Nurse is responsible for recognizing and appropriately escalating high-risk clinical situations, including:

• Suicidal ideation or suspected suicide risk
• Self-harm or threats of self-harm
• Acute behavioral or psychiatric deterioration
• Significant medication reactions or adverse effects
• Other urgent clinical concerns requiring immediate evaluation

The nurse will follow established Pediatric CMS policies, triage protocols, and emergency procedures to ensure patient safety and timely provider notification or escalation.

• LPN with current licensure.
• Pediatric nursing experience preferred.
• Experience with behavioral health, developmental pediatrics, psychiatry, or specialty clinic triage preferred.
• Strong clinical assessment, telephone triage, communication, and care coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent requests while maintaining appropriate prioritization and timely follow-up.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with children, adolescents, families, schools, and…