Registered Nurse - TeleNurse

The RN TeleNurse is responsible for triaging incoming patient calls. Promotes and demonstrates leadership within the department. Promotes the philosophy of wellness; serves as a resource person, educator, and patient advocate. Job Relationships Reports to the TeleNurse Supervisor/Manager

Principal Responsibilities

Apply all phases of the Nursing Process, i.e., assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation when triaging patients. Demonstrate effective verbal communication: communicate phone advice in a calm manner so that it is properly received and understood. Identify life threatening emergencies; recommend appropriate interventions, including facilitation of ambulance transportation.

Demonstrate knowledge of disease processes and pathophysiology to accurately conduct an initial assessment and triage patients via telephone dialogue. Perform data entry at the time of the call and record all significant health history of the caller. Prioritize tasks appropriately and manage time and resources effectively.

Prioritize, delegate, and manage the acuity of incoming patient calls and staff duties as assigned. Refer problems and concerns which require physician intervention to the On Call Physician and/or primary care physician. Direct caller/patient to appropriate level of care including, but not limited to nearest ER, office visit, or self-care.

Schedule patient appointments in scheduling system according to established and approved guidelines. Utilize medical resources to assist in formulating the patient's plan of care. Counsel and teach patients and/or callers according to established guidelines of practice.

Document all calls according to established guidelines of practice. Maintain statistical data as requested. Work effectively with minimal supervision.

Maintain confidentiality of all interactions. Maintain knowledge by attending appropriate educational programs, reading current journals and literature. Attend all department meetings and mandatory Springfield Clinic in-services.

Perform other job duties as assigned. Comply with the Springfield Clinic incident reporting policy and procedures. Adhere to all OSHA and Springfield Clinic training & accomplishments as required per policy.

Provide excellent customer service and adhere to SC Way customer service philosophy. Perform other job duties as assigned. Education/Experience RN, graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current Illinois RN licensure.

Minimum of three years of clinical experience in acute ambulatory or acute care setting. Experience in ER, Home Health preferred. Licenses/Certificates RN License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required to give one (1) month resignation notice. Required to work every other weekend and 4-5 out of 9 Springfield Clinic recognized holidays per year. Required to reside within a 100 mile radius of Springfield, IL Basic typing skills at 40 wpm or greater.

Demonstrates intermediate computer skills and comfort with Windows operating systems. Pleasant, clear telephone voice. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Practices independent nursing consistent with the Illinois Nurse Practice Act. Working Environment Professional office environment which requires extended periods of sitting. Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Potential to work from home. PHI/Privacy Level

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