Job Description

Fair Haven Community Health Care 

FHCHC is a forward-thinking, dynamic, and exciting community health center that provides care for multiple generations at nearly 140,000 office visits in over 20 locations. Overseen by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are patients themselves, we are proud to offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services, as well as evidence-based patient programs to educate patients in healthy lifestyle choices. As we grow and are able to bring high-quality health care to more areas that need access, we continue to put our patients first in everything we do. The mission of FHCHC is “ To improve the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high quality, patient-centered care that is culturally responsive .”

For over 50 years, we have been a health care leader in our community focused on providing excellent, affordable primary care to all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Fair Haven is proud to have a diverse and motivated team of professionals who are constantly seeking ways to enhance and improve the health and well-being of all patients.  We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality medical and dental care, regardless of ability to pay.

Job purpose

Under general supervision of the Nursing Manager, the Triage Nurse performs care coordination and professional nursing functions to assess the severity of the patient’s health concerns using protocols and algorithms in a manner that provides patient dispositions to emergency care, clinic provider appointments, and triage nurse clinic services within the scope of the licensed practice. The RN will support providers in triaging all walk in patients. Triage nurses may be placed in the Call Center or within the Clinic based on need and required support necessary to support optimal clinic operations.  Candidates should have a strong community health/public health orientation.

Duties and responsibilities

The Triage Nurse will be part of  the Nursing Team supporting general care processes alongside the providers. Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Manages nurse-directed patient telephone calls and from walk-in patients requesting health care services.
• Evaluates and assesses patient’s health care needs based on patient’s signs and symptoms utilizing established triage protocols and guidelines.
• Obtains appropriate input and direction from the provider as needed to determine best clinical course of action and recommendations for specific patient health care needs.
• Accurately documents symptoms/complaints, nursing assessment, advice provided and patient/caller response. Follows policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure consistency and departmental effectiveness as well as improve health care outcomes of patients/callers and their access to appropriate health care.
• Coordinates and schedules same-day and walk-in appointments on the provider schedules
• Utilize standing orders, triage protocols and algorithms appropriately.
• Monitors patient flow in the clinic; ensure that patients receive all recommended services in a timely manner.
• Performs other nursing functions as assigned. Assists providers with special procedures as needed.
• Manages prescription refills per protocol.
• Participates in Clinical Team and Care Coordination team process.
• Provides patient education: e.g. chronic disease, preventive and family.
• Administers certain medications, injections, immunizations and family planning options as ordered by provider.
• Participates in Performance Improvement activities as assigned.
• Assures that pertinent medical information is forwarded to proper departments as needed for continuity of patient care.
• Documents in electronic health record (EHR), triage assessment, plan, implementation, and evaluation, follow-up.
• May be assigned as a Triage Nurse and/or Clinic Nurse to support the needs of the clinic patients and clinical team, ensuring a smooth, and consistent workflow.
• Independently carries out assignments, providing direct patient care in clinic or via telephone.
• Completes other duties as assigned by Nurse Manager.

Qualifications

• CT unrestricted RN license required, BSN preferred. Current CPR certification and one year of triage experience is also required. Fluency in Spanish is also preferred. The selected candidate will:
• Have knowledge of disease processes, normal growth and development of all age groups.
• Possess community health knowledge and theory.
• Operate with culturally sensitivity with respect to working with persons and groups of diverse racial, ethnic, economic and social backgrounds
• Have general computer skills and experience with EHR systems
• Epic experience required
• Possess nursing assessment skills with/without visual inspection utilizing basic nursing theory and critical clinical thinking skills.
• Have excellent communication skills, i.e., listening, oral and written English skills while conversing with patients, families, health professionals and community agencies and demonstrated clinical competence.
• Possess the capacity to function independently within RN license and scope of practice and the ability to handle stressful emergency situations calmly and effectively.

Direct reports  

None

OSHA Status

Category I—Increased Risk Position

Potential exposure to hazardous waste and blood borne pathogens, clinical settings

Physical requirements

Physical Demands: Requires walking, bending, sitting, standing, writing, reading, telephone use, data input into computer, pulling medical records, Mental Demands: Ability to cope with continual changing priorities under potentially stressful conditions. Manual Dexterity Required:  Ability to use a keyboard, telephone.

American with Disabilities Requirements:

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.

Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

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