Registered Nurse - Triage

Job Title

Provides professional nursing assessment, telephone and in-person triage, care coordination, and clinical support for patients within the ambulatory clinic setting.

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs comprehensive nursing assessments of patients presenting in person or by telephone to determine the urgency of medical concerns.
• Utilizes nursing judgment, provider standing orders, Schmitt-Thompson telephone triage protocols, clinic policies, and evidence-based practice to determine appropriate patient disposition.
• Provides telephone and electronic triage for acute and chronic medical concerns while practicing within the RN scope of practice.
• Identifies patients requiring emergent intervention and facilitates appropriate referral to Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Department, Express Care, same-day appointments, or routine follow-up as clinically indicated.
• Recognizes changes in patient condition and promptly communicates significant findings to the appropriate provider.
• Coordinates timely access to care by scheduling appropriate office visits, follow-up appointments, nurse visits, and diagnostic services.
• Collaborates with providers, medical assistants, specialists, hospitals, pharmacies, and ancillary departments to coordinate patient care.
• Assists patients in navigating the healthcare system and obtaining appropriate follow-up care.
• Completes medication refill requests in accordance with clinic refill policy and provider-directed protocols.
• Administers medications and injections as ordered by providers, including Schedule III medications (such as testosterone) according to clinic policy.
• Performs anticoagulation management, including INR review, patient education, dosage adjustment according to provider-approved protocols, and documentation.
• Reviews laboratory and diagnostic results as assigned and manages critical results according to clinic policy and provider direction.
• Provides medication education and reinforces provider treatment plans.
• Provides patient education regarding medications, disease management, home care, warning signs, post-procedure expectations, and when to seek emergency care.
• Answers patient questions regarding postoperative care, wound care, medication concerns, symptoms, and treatment plans within RN scope of practice.
• Reinforces provider instructions and ensures patient understanding through teach-back techniques when appropriate.
• Documents all patient assessments, telephone encounters, nursing interventions, patient education, medication administration, provider communication, and care coordination activities accurately within the electronic medical record.
• Maintains complete and timely documentation in accordance with organizational policy, regulatory requirements, and nursing standards.
• Maintains current knowledge of clinic policies, nursing standards, regulatory requirements, and evidence-based practice.
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment while practicing within the RN scope of practice.
• Demonstrates flexibility in assisting with clinic operations and other nursing duties as assigned

Education Background and Experience Requirements:

Minimum Education:

Nursing degree

Required Licensure /

Certifications:

Washington State RN license and Idaho State RN license/or Compact State RN License

Required Experience:

Minimum 1 - 3 years of clinical nursing experience in ambulatory care, family practice, emergency. urgent care or telephone triage. Experience working with electronic medical records systems. Current BLS, or obtain within first 90 days. Strong assessment, prioritization, communication, and critical thinking skills. Ability to independently prioritize multiple patient needs in a fast-paced ambulatory environment.

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual District-required and/or job-required educational requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Wears identification while on duty.
• Attends staff meetings annually and/or reads and returns all meeting minutes (as per department / contract standards).
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
• Maintains employee/patient confidentiality.
• Repr…