Phone Triage Nurse

Orthopaedic Associates is a fast-paced, 13-physician orthopaedic practice with four locations in Evansville and Newburgh, IN and Henderson, KY. This is a full-time, benefits eligible position. We are closed on the six major holidays and employees are eligible for holiday pay and insurance after completing their first 60 days of employment. We also offer a lucrative PTO plan and 401k with a matching component.

This position would be expected to work from any of our four office locations, depending on scheduling needs. Schedules are posted well in advance and we pay mileage for any travel between offices during a work day. We offer a few iterations of a modified working schedule (Five 8 hour days, Four 9 hour days and a 4 hour day, etc.)

Under the general supervision of the Clinical Assistant Team Leader, the Phone Triage Nurse performs care coordination and professional nursing functions to assess the severity of the patient’s orthopaedic concerns using protocol and algorithms in a manner that provides patients emergency care, Urgent Care, clinic appointments and triage services within the scope of the licensed practice. The Phone Triage Nurse will be part of the care team supporting general orthopaedic care processes alongside Orthopaedic Associates’ providers. The Phone Triage Nurse will also assist with in-office procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Manage clinical phone calls and in-bound clinical text messages from patients and answer them according to protocols or defer to the appropriate provider
• Evaluate and assess patient’s orthopaedic needs based on patient’s signs and symptoms utilizing established protocols and guidelines.
• Obtain appropriate input and direction from the provider as needed to determine best clinical course of action and recommendation for specific patient needs.
• Accurately document signs/symptoms, nursing assessment, advice provided and patient/caller response. Follow policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure consistency and departmental effectiveness as well as improved orthopaedic outcomes of patients/callers and their access to care.
• Coordinate and schedule same-day and walk-in appointments on the provider schedule as needed.
• Utilize standing orders, triage protocols and algorithms appropriately
• Assist in procedure room set-up, patient care, and placement.
o Monitor patient vitals pre and post procedure
• Monitor patient flow in clinic and perform nursing functions as needed
• Manage prescription refills per protocol
• Provide patient education
• Participate in Performance Improvement activities as assigned
• Assure that pertinent medical information is forwarded to proper departments as needed for continuity of care
• Assist with running provider clinics and preop as needed
• Maintain patient confidentiality in compliance with company policies and procedures

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Associates or bachelor’s degree from accredited college/university and current unrestricted Indiana Registered Nurse license required. Triage experience preferred.

· Strong prioritization, critical thinking, and communication skills

· Demonstrate clinical competence and knowledge of disease processes

· Must possess community health knowledge and theory

· General computer and telephone skills required

· Nursing skills with and without visual inspections

· Capacity to function independently within licensed scope of practice

· Must have the ability to handle stressful situations calmly and effectively.