What are the responsibilities and job description for the Telephone Triage Nurse position at Maryland Oncology?
Overview:
A telephone triage nurse assesses patient needs over the telephone, collaborates with a physician or qualified staff member to meet those needs, then documents all elements of care in the patient’s medical record. The telephone triage nurse will accurately identify patients with high risk conditions and will direct care to the appropriate resources if they cannot be managed by the nurse and/or within the clinic. Under general supervision, provides professional nursing care for patients adhering to national and organizational standards and guidelines for specialty care and scope of practice per state licensing board. Must recognize physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of care and participates in company-wide quality initiatives. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, to include the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.
Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities
Addresses patient calls, portal messages and emails in a timely manner.
Asks appropriate open-ended questions as well as utilizing computerized algorithms/pathways to assist in the assessment of patient's symptoms and side effect management and documents interventions. Manages a wide range of symptoms.
Assesses urgency of patient symptoms/side effects and addresses them appropriately.
Aggressively manage symptoms to prevent unnecessary emergency department and hospital utilization.
If emergency care is needed collaborated with physicians via electronic communication, face to face, or the telephone to discuss patient care needs that cannot be independently and appropriately addressed using standard orders or practice protocols.
Collaborates with providers if the patient can be seen in an outpatient clinic setting for their symptoms.
Documents all conversations with patients to maintain a comprehensive medical record. Provides clear instructions and education to the patients via the telephone and other duties as assigned.
Minimum Job Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities):
Education/Training –
Graduate from an accredited program for professional nursing education, BSN preferred.
RN state license and current registration with the State Board of Nursing in practicing state.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Must maintain continuing education requirements.
Business Experience –
3-5 years nursing experience including at least one year in oncology preferred.
Specialized Knowledge/Skills –
Oncology certification preferred.
Working Conditions:
Environment (Office, warehouse, etc.) –
Traditional office environment.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne pathogens, carcinogenic drugs and other conditions common to a clinic environment.
Physical Requirements (Lifting, standing, etc.) –
Large percent of time performing computer-based work is required.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
A telephone triage nurse assesses patient needs over the telephone, collaborates with a physician or qualified staff member to meet those needs, then documents all elements of care in the patient’s medical record. The telephone triage nurse will accurately identify patients with high risk conditions and will direct care to the appropriate resources if they cannot be managed by the nurse and/or within the clinic. Under general supervision, provides professional nursing care for patients adhering to national and organizational standards and guidelines for specialty care and scope of practice per state licensing board. Must recognize physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of care and participates in company-wide quality initiatives. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, to include the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.
Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities
Addresses patient calls, portal messages and emails in a timely manner.
Asks appropriate open-ended questions as well as utilizing computerized algorithms/pathways to assist in the assessment of patient's symptoms and side effect management and documents interventions. Manages a wide range of symptoms.
Assesses urgency of patient symptoms/side effects and addresses them appropriately.
Aggressively manage symptoms to prevent unnecessary emergency department and hospital utilization.
If emergency care is needed collaborated with physicians via electronic communication, face to face, or the telephone to discuss patient care needs that cannot be independently and appropriately addressed using standard orders or practice protocols.
Collaborates with providers if the patient can be seen in an outpatient clinic setting for their symptoms.
Documents all conversations with patients to maintain a comprehensive medical record. Provides clear instructions and education to the patients via the telephone and other duties as assigned.
Minimum Job Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities):
Education/Training –
Graduate from an accredited program for professional nursing education, BSN preferred.
RN state license and current registration with the State Board of Nursing in practicing state.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Must maintain continuing education requirements.
Business Experience –
3-5 years nursing experience including at least one year in oncology preferred.
Specialized Knowledge/Skills –
Oncology certification preferred.
Working Conditions:
Environment (Office, warehouse, etc.) –
Traditional office environment.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne pathogens, carcinogenic drugs and other conditions common to a clinic environment.
Physical Requirements (Lifting, standing, etc.) –
Large percent of time performing computer-based work is required.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
