Hospice Triage Nurse (RN) Mon-Fri, 8a-5p

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

This position demonstrates competency in delivery of quality patient care to patients in the service of Hospice of the Piedmont ranging in age from infants to geriatrics by managing patient telephone calls.  The Triage Nurse (RN) is responsible for using clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to identify, analyze and assist with resolving patient care issues and provides patient care in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act and agency policies, procedures, and standards of care. The Triage Nurse supports the homecare team through collaboration, communication, and coordination of clinical administrative tasks.

Essential Duties:

• Independently triages and manages patient and family telephone calls by applying advanced clinical assessment, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice principles to identify, analyze, and prioritize patient care issues.
• Interprets complex patient symptoms using professional nursing judgment and established protocols to formulate individualized plans of care, escalate concerns, and resolve patient care problems with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Documents accurately and timely each patient interaction/call and intervention and other patient/family and physician contacts according to agency policy through use of the electronic medical record. Documentation should be complete at the end of the day.
• Communicates and collaborates with the members of the appropriate interdisciplinary team and provider regarding patient needs and care. Contacts patient’s physician as necessary to obtain medical orders.
• Provides patient and/or caregiver with appropriate instructions to support safe care of the patient in the home.
• Makes follow-up telephone calls to contracted agencies and the patient/family as needed to evaluate care and meet patient needs.
• Collaborates with the homecare team to ensure high-priority patient care needs, and time-sensitive information is relayed to stakeholders and provides recommendations for follow up.
• Addresses urgent prescription needs and medication availability challenges on behalf of the homecare team, coordinating with pharmacies to ensure timely resolution.
• Assists the provider team by managing routine prescription refill approvals in the prescription processing program.
• Reviews controlled substance refill history through the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) as needed.
• Coordinates DME orders and delivery needs for homecare patients based on needs identified during triage calls with patients and families.
• Assists with coordinating outpatient procedures/services, mobile x-ray, and drain supplies.
• Coordinates Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy referrals end-to-end, including submitting evaluation orders, securing follow-up visit approvals, and ensuring timely receipt and documentation of therapy visit notes in the patient chart.

Job Requirements:

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing – Associates Degree
• Two years clinical nursing experience
• Current North Carolina Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse
• Previous hospice work experience preferred

Here are some things we find very valuable..

• Ability to maintain positive working relationships and courteous interaction with public
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

What our employees have to say about working here:

• This is the best organization I have ever worked for. What makes it stand out most is the culture of trust and understanding created by senior leadership, which filters down to every level of the organization and provides a safe environment for everyone to do and be their best.
• I feel this organization does everything that it can to empower me to perform my role with as much autonomy as possible.
• We are the best because we are encouraged to be the best.
• Everyone who works here is focused on the mission of providing the best end of life care possible. This includes not just the clinical staff but also the support staff who are made to feel a part of the team.
• This organization is one of a kind. From top to the bottom, there is respect, integrity, and kindness. Our leaders lead by example.