Licensed Practical Nurse- Triage

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of the Clinical Nurse Lead and in collaboration with the Director of Nursing, the Licensed Practical Triage Nurse provides care coordination and performs professional nursing functions to assess the severity of patients' health concerns, using TAPM-established Adult and Pediatric telephone protocols and clinical algorithms in collaboration with the RN and provider. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) practices under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or licensed provider (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant), in accordance with the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-171.20 et seq.) and the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) rules and guidelines.

Job Responsibilities

• Triage Nurses manage nurse-directed patient telephone calls and from walk-in patients requesting health care services
• Evaluate and assesses patient’s health care needs based on patient’s signs and symptoms
• Obtain appropriate input and direction from the provider as needed to determine best clinical course of action and recommendations for specific patient health care needs
• Coordinate and schedule same-day and walk-in appointments on the provider schedule
• Maintain a nurse only schedule
• Assist providers with special procedures as needed
• Manage prescription refills per protocol
• Provides clinical support on the floor as needed to ensure adequate coverage and continuity of patient care.
• Serve as a clinical resource and professional role model for other nursing staff.
• Prioritize work tasks and services to ensure timely and efficient completion.
• Maintains accurate, clear, and concise documentation, including progress notes, problem lists, and medication lists, in accordance with clinical and organizational standards.
• Communicates appropriately and tactfully with staff, consultants, patients, significant others, and community.
• Participate in staff planning, in-service, and other meetings as needed.
• Administers medications and performs medical and nursing procedures as ordered within the scope of practice.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Document 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.
• Completes all patient-related documentation, including but not limited to prior authorizations, home health forms, and other required medical paperwork in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provide patient education: e. g. chronic disease, preventive and family
• Participate in quality improvement programs
• Assure that pertinent medical information is forwarded to proper departments as needed for continuity of patient care
• Document in electronic health record (EHR), triage assessment, plan, implementation, and evaluation, follow-up
• Must have knowledge of disease processes, normal growth and development of all age groups
• Must possess community health knowledge and theory
• Must operate with culturally sensitivity with respect to working with persons and groups of diverse racial, ethnic, economic and social backgrounds

Clinical Responsibilities

• Administer certain medications, injections, immunizations, and family planning options as ordered by a provider and within LPN scope of practice.
• Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Lead (RN), DON, or provider, assist with monitoring patient flow in the clinic to ensure that patients receive all recommended services in a timely manner.

The LPN MAY NOT perform the following (outside LPN scope of practice):

• Independently assess, diagnose, or develop a nursing care plan without RN or provider oversight.
• Perform the initial nursing assessment for new patients independently (must be completed or supervised by an RN).
• Independently determine final patient disposition for complex or high-acuity triage calls without RN or provider consultation.
• Supervise or direct Registered Nurses (RNs).
• Administer IV push medications or initiate IV therapy without appropriate certification and provider order
• Perform any procedure or task not covered by a current, approved TAPM protocol or provider order.
• Practice beyond the current North Carolina LPN scope of practice as defined by the NCBON.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must hold a current, valid North Carolina LPN license.
• Currently CPR certified.
• At least one 2-3 years of triage or clinical nursing experience is preferred.
• High school diploma or GED required; completion of an accredited LPN program required.
• Associate’s Degree or further education preferred.