RN Triage Nurse-Walk in Center

Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc.; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc. is seeking a Triage RN to provide nursing care in a family practice/urgent care setting. The Triage Nurse will adhere to evidence-based protocols, ensuring timely care for patients while providing health care advice and coordinating services.

The ideal candidate is a graduate from an accredited nursing school, licensed in Massachusetts with BLS certification, and has at least two years of nursing experience, including telephone triage.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; required BS in nursing preferred.
• Must be licensed as an RN by the Massachusetts State Board of Registration.
• BLS required.
• Two years of nursing experience, with one year of telephone triage in an ambulatory health care setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Triages patients using Lippincott Triage Manuals for guidance.
• Provides health care advice and coordinates services.
• Follows up on abnormal labs to facilitate appropriate care.
• Documents in the patient's EHR according to policy.

Skills

Triage education & self-management support

Communication skills

Clinical judgment

Patient assessment

EMR experience

Education

BS in nursing

Licensed RN in Massachusetts

BLS certification

Job description

The Triage RN is responsible for providing nursing care, in a family practice/urgent care setting. The Triage Nurse will adhere to evidence based nursing triage protocols, with the goal of providing each patient with the care he/she needs, at the time he/she needs it. The Triage Nurse will provide health care advice, and assist in the coordination of other health care services.

Program Specific Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Triages patients utilizing the appropriate “Lippincott Triage Manuals” for evidence based recommendations, providing triage, education & self-management support as needed.
• Utilizes care in communications to foster the patient's trust & confidence.
• Arranges for the use of Interpreter staff as required based on primary language needs.
• Demonstrates competent clinical/professional judgment, in addition to the use of “Lippincott” protocols.
• Sorts through multiple patient cues to focus on the primary patient complaint or issue.
• Assesses all patients using three specific criteria: 1) clinical priority/acuity, 2) the need for self‑care guidance or guidance for the parent or guardian, 3) the need for anticipatory guidance based upon the patient’s health, behavior and developmental level. Assesses presenting signs/symptoms prioritizing urgency based on assessment and use of protocols.
• Follows up on abnormal labs and other patient requests by communicating with Team Nurses and Providers to facilitate the appropriate care.
• Schedules appointments and arranges for immediate care through Primary Care, Same Day/Walk‑In/Urgent Care, or the ER, as appropriate.
• Ensures that patient needs are met; documents patients understanding & agreement with plan, or if the patient is refusing the recommended triage advice.
• Follows protocol and documents in the patient’s EHR, following the documentation policy.

Supervisory Responsibility:

May be asked to provide guidance to LPNs, medical assistants or non‑clinical Call Center staff by providing direction with protocols to facilitate patient care.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; required BS in nursing preferred.
• Must be licensed as an RN by the Massachusetts State Board of Registration.
• BLS required.
• Two years full time or part time equivalent nursing experience, with at least one year of telephone triage experience in an ambulatory health care or family practice setting preferred.
• Must have experience working in an EMR environment.

Reports directly to the Medical Director of the Walk in Center.