Telephone Triage Nurse

SCRI Oncology Partners, located in Nashville, Tenn., is a dedicated cancer treatment center led by globally recognized oncologists with disease expertise in cancer care and clinical research. This center offers patients state-of-the art personalized cancer care and opportunities to participate in clinical trials with innovative treatments.

The practice conducts clinical trials through their affiliation with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a global leader in oncology research that has been offering and managing clinical trials in the community for over 30 years. Since its inception, SCRI has contributed to pivotal research that has helped advance the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA today.

SCOPE:

The telephone triage nurse assesses patient needs over the telephone, collaborates with a physician or qualified staff members 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.

KEY 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 patient symptoms/side effects, assessing urgency and addressing them appropriately to prevent unnecessary emergency department and hospital utilization.
• If emergency care is needed, collaborates 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

A large percent of time performing computer-based work is required. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne pathogens, carcinogenic drugs and other conditions common to a clinic environment.