Telephone Nurse Triage - Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Overview

JOB SUMMARY:  Independently plans and provides professional nursing care for patients within a specific population and in accordance with the medical and nursing plans of care and established policies and procedures. Delivers, manages, and coordinates care and services via telecommunications technology within the domain of Ambulatory Care Nursing. Provides nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the scope of the RN as defined by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Directs and leads other assigned team members and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to provide age/developmentally appropriate care in accordance with nursing standards of care and practice. 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:  Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing with 5+ years of acute care experience required. BSN preferred. Prefer acute care experience within the last 10 years.  Previous experience in Telephone Triage and with Health Insurance and Managed Care concepts preferred.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION:  Current license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of North Carolina and Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification required. Licensure in other states as required by law or client contract. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS) may be required within one year in select areas.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides patient/family centered care, acting as partner and adviser assists and supports patients and families to manage optimally their health care, respecting their culture and values, individual needs, health goals and treatment preferences.
2. Applies critical reasoning and astute clinical judgment in order to expedite appropriate care and treatment, especially given that the patient may present with complex problems or potentially life threatening conditions that the nurse will assess through use of telecommunication technologies i.e. telephone, fax, email, internet, or patient portal technology.
3. Ensures proper scheduling and follow up on test results for providers.  Uses active listening skills, approved protocols, and evidence based practice in explaining test results and medications to patients.
4. Applies the provisions of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses to professional obligations and for the patients entrusted to their care. 
5. Participates in own professional development by maintaining required competencies, identifying learning needs and seeking appropriate assistance or educational offerings. Demonstrates the ability to function in a professional setting through active participation in a professional practice model.  Includes participating in shared governance, adherence to standards of care, participation in peer review and professional development promoting leadership and clinical excellence, effective team skills, autonomous practice and acknowledgment of accountability for actions and critical thinking. Pursues lifelong learning that updates and expands clinical, organizational, professional roles and responsibilities.
6. Focuses on patient safety and the quality of nursing care by applying appropriate nursing interventions, such as identifying and clarifying patient needs, conducting health education, promoting patient advocacy, coordinating nursing and other health services, assisting the patient to navigate the health care system, and evaluating patient outcomes. 
7. Maintains knowledge of care teams for coordination of patient care, self-management, population management and communication skill.
8. Adapts personal communication style to meet the needs of the patient in diverse personal, professional, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
9. Demonstrates exceptional assessment, critical thinking, and customer service skills. 
10. Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.