Telephone Triage Nurse

The US Oncology Network•Merrifield, VA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

An Advice Line Nurse (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.

Requirements

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.
3 to 5 years nursing experience including at least one year in oncology preferred.
Oncology certification preferred.

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.