Triage Nurse

About the Division of Comprehensive Health Services

The Division of Comprehensive Health Services (CHS) delivers health services to incarcerated individuals in North Carolina state prisons. Our mission is to provide constitutionally appropriate medical, mental health, dental, and pharmaceutical care that meets professional standards.

The Triage Charge Nurse provides comprehensive clinical care through assessment, intervention, coordination, and education to promote offender health and safety. Key duties include conducting telehealth triage via telephone or video consultations, evaluating medical complaints, and formulating timely nursing responses. The nurse performs accurate clinical assessments by integrating subjective symptoms with objective findings, applying sound nursing judgment, and operating independently within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act.

The position supports continuity of care by developing and implementing care plans based on established protocols, provider guidance, and facility policy. It also includes assisting with urgent care, administering medications, coordinating follow‑up care, responding to medical and mental health emergencies, and providing education on chronic disease, communicable conditions, treatment compliance, and preventive health measures. The nurse collaborates closely with providers, dental, and behavioral health teams, follows through on clinical recommendations, and fosters trust with patients.

As a clinical leader, the role involves documenting triage encounters, maintaining accurate records, generating routine reports, providing education and training to the triage team, reporting clinical concerns to clinical chains of command, and supporting quality assurance initiatives. The nurse works any shift, weekends, or holidays with limited supervision, primarily remote with occasional onsite work and travel to correctional facilities as needed.

• Secure comprehensive clinical care through assessment, intervention, coordination, and education.
• Conduct telehealth triage via telephone or video consultations.
• Evaluate medical complaints and formulate timely nursing responses.
• Integrate subjective symptoms with objective findings for accurate assessment.
• Develop and implement care plans based on protocols, provider guidance, and facility policy.
• Assist with urgent care, administer medications, coordinate follow‑up care.
• Respond to medical and mental health emergencies and provide preventive health education.
• Collaborate closely with providers, dental, and behavioral health teams.
• Document triage encounters, maintain nursing records, generate performance metrics.
• Provide education and training to triage staff, mentor new nurses.
• Report clinical concerns to appropriate chains of command and update custody personnel.
• Support quality assurance initiatives and contribute to interdisciplinary care planning.

• Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of North Carolina.
• Strong knowledge of professional nursing practices, pharmacology, physical assessment, and patient safety.
• Documented ability to interpret and convey complex clinical information both orally and in writing.
• Ability to make evidence‑based decisions, think critically, and maintain a compassionate professional demeanor.
• Strong organizational skills, systematic approach to service delivery, and ability to prioritize under pressure.
• Experience in emergency nursing, telehealth, or correctional health settings preferred but not required.

• Health Insurance options.
• Retirement Plans.
• NCFlex Supplemental Benefits.
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Community Service Leave.
• Paid Parental Leave.

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.