Triage RN

Job Details: Job Location: Health Center - Columbus, OH, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: Undisclosed, ABOUT LOWER LIGHTS CHRISTIAN HEALTH CENTER

Lower Lights Christian Health Center (LLCHC) is a mission-driven, faith-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing whole-person, accessible, and high-quality healthcare to all who need it in Central Ohio, regardless of their ability to pay. We are committed to removing barriers to care and transforming lives through compassionate, patient-centered service.
Join us as we deliver hope and healing to the patients and families who need it most.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Triage Registered Nurse provides telephone triage and clinical support for patients receiving services at Lower Lights Christian Health Center. Working collaboratively with providers, medical assistants, practice managers, contact center staff, and other members of the care team, the RN assesses patient concerns, determines appropriate levels of care, supports medication refill and test result workflows, and facilitates timely access to services. Serving a diverse patient population with complex medical, behavioral health, and social needs, the RN promotes patient safety, continuity of care, and positive health outcomes through sound clinical judgment, patient education, and accurate documentation. The RN practices in accordance with the standards established by the Ohio Board of Nursing.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

RESPONSIBILITY 1: Patient Assessment, Triage, and Clinical Decision-Making

Respond to patient calls, electronic messages, and symptom-based concerns in a timely manner according to established triage standards and guidelines.
Conduct comprehensive telephone assessments to obtain relevant health history, current symptoms, and other pertinent clinical information.
Utilize evidence-based triage decision-support tools to guide clinical recommendations and disposition planning.
Determine the appropriate level of care, including home care, office visit, same-day appointment, urgent care, emergency department evaluation, or emergency medical services activation, and communicate that level of care clearly to the patient and care team.
Recognize and respond appropriately to emergent, urgent, and high-risk clinical situations.
Escalate clinical concerns to providers or nursing leadership when patient needs exceed established protocols or nursing scope of practice.
Navigate scheduling resources and collaborate with practice teams to facilitate timely access to care for patients with acute or urgent needs.
Support continuity of care through management of in-basket messages, symptom-based patient concerns, and provider-directed clinical follow-up.

RESPONSIBILITY 2: Clinical Coordination & Results Management

Receive, communicate, and facilitate follow-up of critical test results in accordance with organizational policies, provider instructions, and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with providers, laboratories, imaging centers, pharmacies, hospitals, and other external healthcare organizations regarding patient care needs.
Facilitate clarification of orders, referrals, testing requirements, and treatment plans to support timely patient care.
Support prescription refill requests within approved protocols and coordinate with providers and pharmacy personnel as needed.
Monitor and manage assigned clinical in-basket pools according to established workflows and service standards.
Assist in the coordination of care transitions, follow-up needs, and patient access to appropriate healthcare services.
Identify barriers to care and connect patients with available community, clinical, and support resources when appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITY 3: Documentation and Electronic Health Record Management

Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation within the electronic health record (EHR).
Document patient assessments, triage recommendations, interventions, education provided, and patient responses in accordance with organizational standards.
Utilize approved triage software and clinical protocols to support clinical decision-making and documentation.
Ensure all patient communications and care coordination activities are appropriately recorded in the EHR.
Protect patient privacy and confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and organizational policies.

RESPONSIBILITY 4: Patient Communication and Education

Provide evidence-based education and self-care instructions tailored to the patient's clinical condition, health literacy, language, and cultural needs.
Explain symptoms, treatment recommendations, follow-up plans, and return precautions in a clear and understandable manner.
Utilize interpreter services appropriately to ensure effective communication with patients with limited English proficiency.
Promote patient engagement, self-management, preventive health practices, and adherence to treatment plans.
Deliver patient-centered care with professionalism, compassion, empathy, and respect.

RESPONSIBILITY 5: Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Quality Improvement, and Professional Development

Collaborate effectively with providers, nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health staff, care coordinators, quality team members, and contact center personnel to support high-quality patient care.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes, access to care, clinical workflows, and patient safety.
Participate in efforts to improve clinical workflows, patient access, quality outcomes, and patient safety.
Contribute to efforts that reduce avoidable emergency department utilization and improve care coordination for high-risk patients.
Participate in required meetings, trainings, competency assessments, and continuing education activities.
Maintain current clinical knowledge and nursing practice standards in accordance with Ohio Board of Nursing requirements.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

Primarily remote position with occasional onsite meetings, training, coverage, or other organizational needs.
Requires prolonged periods of telephone and computer use.
Requires the ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Must maintain a private, secure work environment that protects patient confidentiality and complies with HIPAA requirements.

The major duties/ responsibilities and essential functions listed above are not intended to be all-inclusive of the duties, responsibilities and essential functions to be performed by associates in this job. Associate is expected to perform all other duties as requested by supervisor. 
Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS: 

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
Active, unrestricted Ohio Registered Nurse license or multistate compact nursing license required.
Minimum of five (5) years of nursing experience preferred.
Previous triage experience in emergency, urgent care, family medicine, or primary care settings strongly preferred.
Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred.
Experience using Epic electronic health record (EHR) preferred.
Demonstrated excellence in communication, critical thinking, assessment, and clinical decision-making skills.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a remote environment while maintaining productivity and responsiveness.
Ability to effectively assess patients and provide clinical guidance through telephone-based interactions.