Job Description

At Central Maine Healthcare our team members are committed to providing exceptional care and experiences for our community and for each other every day.Position Summary: The RN, Triage is responsible and accountable for the delivery of patient care in the physician office setting, utilizing the Nursing Process, taking into account the biophysical, psychosocial, environment, self-care educational needs of the patient, family and/or significant other(s). Demonstrates outstanding customer service skills on behalf of Central Maine Medical Group (CMMG). The RN, Triage practices in accordance with CMMG’s Clinical Policies and Procedures, and operates within the Maine Nurse Practice Act. The RN, Triage acts as the patient’s advocate, manages supplies, equipment, and sophisticated instrumentation, promotes teamwork with staff, physicians, and personnel in other departments and supports the values of CMMG. Provides direct and indirect patient care in the practice. Provides care that reflects initiative, flexibility and responsibility indicative of professional expectation with a minimum of supervision. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system. Communicates with the providers about changes in patient's status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. Duties and Responsibilities: Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas: 1. Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with the providers as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care. 2. Provides efficient, timely, and thorough assessment of patient needs based upon their initial telephone contact with practice. 3. Performs a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This may include pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population. 4. Uses listening and communication skills to establish rapport with the patient and illicit a full history upon which to base an assessment. 5. Documents in a timely and consistent manner to communicate plans and outcomes. 6. Identifies problematic calls for later discussion and analysis. 7. Identifies triage trends in such areas as chief complaint presentation. 8. Participates in Quality Assurance analysis and trouble-shooting of clinical processes to enhance teamwork and positive patient outcomes. 9. Uses flags and or written messages to ensure communication among co-workers. 10. Uses established protocols to determine a safe and appropriate disposition for the patient. 11. Demonstrates ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management. 12. Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors. 13. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to perform of office diagnostic testing as ordered 14. Answers telephone calls in a professional manner; refers patient problems to the providers as indicated; schedules patient appointments. 15. Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses and assessment of changes. 16. Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers. 17. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patients served. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group. 18. Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care. 19. Demonstrates knowledge of emergency procedures. 20. Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; includes family in teaching, as appropriate. 21. Maintains current knowledge of medications/vaccinations and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition. 22. Follows the five medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors. 23.