Registered Nurse - TeleNurse

Springfield Clinic; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Springfield Clinic is seeking an RN TeleNurse to triage patient calls, serve as a resource, educator, and advocate within the department. The role emphasizes the nursing process, effective communication, and appropriate referrals for emergencies.

The position requires RN licensure in Illinois and at least three years of clinical experience in acute ambulatory or acute care settings; ER or Home Health experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must hold an active Illinois RN license and be in good standing.
• Minimum of three years’ clinical experience in acute ambulatory or acute care settings.
• ER or Home Health experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply all phases of the Nursing Process when triaging patients.
• Communicate advice calmly and clearly to patients over the phone.
• Identify life-threatening emergencies and arrange appropriate interventions.
• Conduct initial assessments and triage via telephone dialogue using nursing knowledge.
• Enter data during calls and document health history and interactions.
• Prioritize tasks and manage time/resources efficiently.
• Refer cases requiring physician intervention to the On Call Physician.
• Schedule patient appointments per guidelines in the scheduling system.
• Counsel and teach patients according to practice guidelines.
• Document all calls per established guidelines and maintain data confidentiality.
• Attend department meetings and Springfield Clinic in-services; comply with policies.
• Provide excellent customer service aligned with SC Way principles.

Skills

Telephone triage

Nursing process

Patient advocacy

Effective communication

Education

Illinois RN licensure

Job description

The RN TeleNurse is responsible for triaging incoming patient calls. Promotes and demonstrates leadership within the department. Promotes the philosophy of wellness; serves as a resource person, educator, and patient advocate.

Week 1: Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm
Week 2: No hours

Job Relationships

• Reports to the TeleNurse Supervisor/Manager

Principal Responsibilities

• Apply all phases of the Nursing Process, i.e., assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation when triaging patients.
• Demonstrate effective verbal communication: communicate phone advice in a calm manner so that it is properly received and understood.
• Identify life threatening emergencies; recommend appropriate interventions, including facilitation of ambulance transportation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of disease processes and pathophysiology to accurately conduct an initial assessment and triage patients via telephone dialogue.
• Perform data entry at the time of the call and record all significant health history of the caller.
• Prioritize tasks appropriately and manage time and resources effectively.
• Prioritize, delegate, and manage the acuity of incoming patient calls and staff duties as assigned.
• Refer problems and concerns which require physician intervention to the On Call Physician and/or primary care physician. Direct caller/patient to appropriate level of care including, but not limited to nearest ER, office visit, or self-care.
• Schedule patient appointments in scheduling system according to established and approved guidelines.
• Utilize medical resources to assist in formulating the patient's plan of care.
• Counsel and teach patients and/or callers according to established guidelines of practice.
• Document all calls according to established guidelines of practice.
• Maintain statistical data as requested.
• Work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality of all interactions.
• Maintain knowledge by attending appropriate educational programs, reading current journals and literature.
• Attend all department meetings and mandatory Springfield Clinic in-services.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.
• Comply with the Springfield Clinic incident reporting policy and procedures.
• Adhere to all OSHA and Springfield Clinic training & accomplishments as required per policy.
• Provide excellent customer service and adhere to SC Way customer service philosophy.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• RN, graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current Illinois RN licensure.
• Minimum of three years of clinical experience in acute ambulatory or acute care setting.
• Experience in ER, Home Health preferred.

Licenses/Certificates

• RN License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Required to give one (1) month resignation notice.
• Required to work every other weekend and 4-5 out of 9 Springfield Clinic recognized holidays per year.
• Required to reside within a 100 mile radius of Springfield, IL
• Basic typing skills at 40 wpm or greater.
• Demonstrates intermediate computer skills and comfort with Windows operating systems.
• Pleasant, clear telephone voice.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Practices independent nursing consistent with the Illinois Nurse Practice Act.

Working Environment

• Professional office environment which requires extended periods of sitting.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Potential to work from home.

PHI/Privacy Level

• HIPAA1