Job Title |
Triage Nurse |
Reports To |
Triage Nurse and Infection Control Manager |
Location |
1525 14th St. NW |
Department |
Medical |
Union |
Yes: |
No: X |
Exempt : X |
Non-Exempt: |
Salary Range |
$58,000-$65,000 |
EEO Code |
(1.2) First, Mid-Level Officials and Managers |
Updated |
8/16 |
Approved By |
Carole Schor, Director of Human Resources |
About Whitman-Walker Health
At Whitman-Walker, our commitment to “Community, Caring and Quality” really shines through! Our mission is to be the highest quality, culturally competent community health center serving greater Washington’s diverse urban community, including individuals who face barriers to accessing care, and with a special expertise in LGBT and HIV care. We offer a full line of healthcare services including: (1) comprehensive outpatient offerings for medical and dental healthcare; (2) an on-site Pharmacy; (3) legal support in the areas of access to health care, public benefits and private insurance, discrimination and workplace rights, immigration, transgender rights and others; (4) behavioral healthcare provided through individual and group therapy; and (5) confidential and anonymous HIV testing and counseling services.
Job Summary
The Triage Nurse utilizes a variety of telecommunications technology to assess, triage, provide nursing consultation, facilitate continuity of care, and perform follow-up surveillance of patients’ status and outcomes. The position also acts as a liaison to hospitals, Emergency Departments, and external clinicians who call in requesting to speak with a clinician or nurse, and provides patient education and counseling to ensure patients have the tools necessary to self-manage chronic conditions.
Primary Essential Duties
- Provide telephone triage of incoming calls from or on behalf of Whitman-Walker Health (WWH) patients with acute symptoms
- Provide telephone consultation for calls coming into Whitman-Walker Health including but not limited to Red Carpet and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) inquiries, external providers (i.e. Emergency Departments), and medical questions from WWH patients
- Deliver telehealth nursing services and facilitate appropriate follow-up of WWH patients who experience an Emergency Department visit or hospital admission
- Provide nursing assessment and follow-up of patients presenting to WWH for PEP
- Meet with patients when requesting to speak with a Registered Nurse and provide medical triage when there is limited clinician availability remaining
- Provide patient education and counseling to enable patients to self-manage needs for medication and/or chronic health conditions
- Carry the 24-hour on-call cell phone on a rotating basis. When on-call, the Registered Nurse is expected to answer calls and return messages received during the on-call hours per protocol including but not limited to day, nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays. See the “RN on call procedure binder” and “24-hour Access to On-Call Registered Nurse and Medical Provider” policy and procedure for specific details on procedure when a call is received
- Document patient encounters, treatment, venipuncture, etc. accurately and efficiently within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) per the guidelines and standards set at WWH
- Other duties as assigned
Budget Responsibilities
None
Management Responsibilities
None
Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required
- Knowledge of standard medical office and clinic procedures, including knowledge of general and specific nursing functions, activities, protocols and standards
- Knowledge of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses and substance abuse, including current treatment and adherence strategies and knowledge of risk reduction intervention strategies, including harm reduction and motivational interviewing principles
- Knowledge of chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc., with an understanding of the needs of individuals and families across the primary care continuum including self-management strategies
- Ability to assess patients for needs related to treatment education, risk reduction, and/or prevention
- Ability to conduct sensitive, empathetic interviews that respect the dignity and diversity of patients
- Ability to start IVs and venipuncture
- Ability to prepare accurate, concise and comprehensive reports
- Ability to maintain patient records and information in an accurate, timely and confidential manner
- Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to function effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing patient care
- Sensitivity to all areas of patient diversity, including HIV status, race, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity
- Knowledge of the Federal, State and DC laws that govern the provision of medical services
- Knowledge of all applicable WWH policies and procedures
- Knowledge of medical record systems required; specific knowledge of eCW preferred
- Ability to adapt to an ever changing environment
Education and Experience Required
- Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing required; Master of Science in Nursing preferred.
- Two years clinical experience post RN licensure required; one year experience in community nursing setting preferred.
- Two years of experience working with people living with HIV/AIDS or issues related to HIV disease and treatment preferred
- Experience working with diverse populations preferred; ability to work with diverse populations required.
Working Conditions:
Working conditions for this position are normal for an office environment. Individual may be required to work evenings and / or weekends and organization events.
Physical Demands:
- Lifting: No more than 20 lbs. and infrequently.
- Movement: Standing and sitting for long periods.
- Visual: Long periods on computer.
- Concentration: Extended periods of engagement with computer systems where concentration is key to accuracy in data entry. Intermittent periods of engagement with a telephone system to respond to inquiries where concentration is key to task performance.
- Communication: Direct and indirect communication. Written and verbal competency.
The above job description is designed to indicate a general sense of the duties and expectations of this position. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required. As the nature of our business demands change, so too, may the duties and responsibilities of this position. You may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
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apply via our website at http://www.whitman-walker.org