Triage Nurse (LPN/RN) - Behavioral Health

Rural Health Group is seeking a full time on site nurse to fill the role of Triage Nurse (LPN/RN) - Behavioral Health. This position will assist our telepsychiatry program at our family practice medical clinics located in northeastern North Carolina. This position will be based in our West Side region supporting our clinics in Norlina, Hollister, Henderson, Lake Gaston and Stovall.
 
Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Partners with Behavioral Health team to anticipate clinical needs or resolve clinical issues.
• Talking directly with patients assessing history, and chief complaint, factoring in underlying health status.
• Performs short evaluation of the patient situation to estimate severity of illness and/or injury and, as possible obtain vital sign and mental status information, to determine where and how quickly a patient should be seen. Confers with physician as needed. Schedule appointments as needed.
• Home care advice may be given if an appointment is not deemed necessary, including instructions if, when, and where to seek care.
• Responds to patient questions, requests for advice, results of tests, and requests for refills per protocol.
• Coordinates care to patients, providing follow up and communication per provider request.
• Speaking with home care, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, and other medical and nursing personnel for the purpose of furthering patient care.
• Able to provide phlebotomy, administration of immunizations, psychotropic injectables, and lab tests as needed.
• Complete telephone and clinical care documentation in EMR.
• Manages lab and test results
• Complete medication refill requests
• Provide primary nursing to clinic assigned to, but must be willing and able to staff at other RHG clinics as needed and to support the RHG health team.

Must demonstrate the Rural Health Group Core Competencies, which include:

1. Good Judgment
2. Communication/Customer Service/Teamwork
3. Passion
4. Honesty
5. Responsibility
6. Job-Specific Skill Set - including knowledge, skills, and ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a Case Manager.

 
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate actively in team-based care.
• Coordinates case management process from patient's entry into the healthcare system to specialty care to hospital admission to follow-up care. Coordinates care and resources with physicians, behavioral health specialists, case managers and other team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes.Complete initial patient/family assessments and develop problem lists.
• Identifies patients who are suitable for case management intervention based on criteria such as case complexity, frequency of appointments or hospital utilization (emergency room usage and general admits). Seeks authorization for case management services from patients and/or families.Perform occasional home visits and phone follow up as indicated.
• Collaborate with patients, physicians, community health centers and other providers to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
• Effectively communicate care plans and other patient-related activities both verbally and in writing to appropriate personnel and agencies.
• Utilize clinical skills and assessments to work autonomously in the community settings. Demonstrate the ability to use teaching, learning and counseling skills.
• Act as a patient advocate for the development of community resources.
• Consult others to identify potential community resources for resolving patient health, psychosocial, or financial problems.
• Function as a liaison to external agencies.
• Collaborate effectively with departmental/program staff to achieve goals and objectives.
• Ensure collection of data for outcomes, reports and other studies as requested.
• Provide information for maintenance of case management patient database.
• Support efforts to implement disease management model.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills.
• Facilitate productive meetings with interdisciplinary team members from across the system.
• Participate in financial planning for specialty care.
• Maintain and advance knowledge and skills in area of specialization.
• Encourage clinical problem identification and resolution activities.
• Identify, address, and report quality issues identified through data sources.

Requirements:

• Current LPN or RN NC Nursing license is required - unrestricted
• Minimum five years of experience as nurse in outpatient, community/health, critical care or emergency care setting
• Preferred, one to two years of telephone triage experience, preferably in a medical setting
• Phone nurse training or experience is a plus, but not required
• Knowledge of funding resources and clinical standards and outcomes
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus, but not required; applicants who may serve in a translating capacity will be required to take a language assessment

      Competent in the following:

• Organization skills
• Evaluation skills
• Change management
• Self-direction

       Demonstrates:

• Strong verbal and written communication / interpersonal skills; proficient teaching skills
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Flexibility and assertiveness
• Ability to use good judgment
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Creativity and attention to detail in the production of materials
• Timely completion of documentation
• Understanding of patient-centered care
• Appropriate awareness of personal and professional boundaries with staff and patients

EOE. Federal and State Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screen required for all positions. Influenza vaccination is a condition of employment.
 
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States.