The Triage Nurse reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
The Triage Nurse provides clinically expert triage service within a physicians’ practice. In their role, triage nurses serve as liaisons between patients and physicians, assessing and determining the acuity of patients’ symptoms and communicating these to the physicians as appropriate. They provide education to patients and to staff concerning clinical issues. Triage nurses must demonstrate excellent customer service and communication skills and the ability to function as part of a highly effective team that consistently puts “Patients First.”
Responsibilities:
- Establish positive first impressions with patients and customers, establishing a role as patient advocate.
- Triage all incoming telephone calls and electronic messages, prioritizing and resolving, involving the provider as appropriate, successfully completing the communication cycle.
- Document all communications in the electronic medical record.
- Schedule patient for visit with provider when telephone assessment indicates this.
- Assist in obtaining appointment for patients with specialists within NM.
- Coordinate emergency and hospital transfers, including paperwork and telephone communications.
- Administer medications and treatments in accordance with Nursing Standards and as ordered by the provider.
- Provide education to patients and staff concerning clinical issues.
- Assist in coordinating and monitoring activities of clinical staff to ensure adequate coverage and adherence to OSHA and CDC guidelines.
- Assist in orientation of new staff members.
- Perform other duties as assigned; may include:
- Assist in specific process improvement projects.
- Administer intravenous and injectable medications to adult, geriatric and wheelchair bound patients. Must demonstrate competency for age related responsibilities.
- Quality control must be maintained during all aspects of patient care. The triage nurse ensures that all exam rooms and equipment are maintained according to OSHA and CDC guidelines.
- Participates in departmental quality improvement activities.
- For triage nurses in the Immediate Care Clinics (ICC), float to other ICCs/departments.