how to become a triage nurse

The median annual salary for a registered telephone triage nurse is $70,302, as of June 2017, but salaries can range between $64,149 and $79,505 per year. All trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders. A section of the certification exam focuses on telephone triage. For example, in … Patients who should be seen in the nearest Emergency Room. Many insurers and health plans can benefit from nurse advice line services to minimize member cost. American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. As of today, you can undergo clinical training and gain sufficient experience, after which you can enroll in an emergency nursing triage training program, which is approved by the … Our approach has revolutionized the world of after-hours triage. For example, if a patient calls in with a complaint of fatigue, the nurse might pick up on shortness of breath or a cough which could be indicative of a breathing or cardiac issue. A triage nurse plays a very important role in emergency room settings where a patient’s condition is assessed and monitored. Experience our difference by partnering with IntellaTriage today. To be a registered nurse you must complete the NECLEX-RN exam and then after qualified as a … A telephone triage nurse will often use standardized protocols when conducting their assessment of the patient. Complete an RN program. This can, however, vary widely depending on a variety of factors, including state, level of experience, organization of employment, and more. Are they alert? Is Telehealth Nursing an Option for American Nurses Living Abroad? When we researched the most common majors for a Triage Nurse, we found that they most commonly earn Nursing degrees or Medical Assisting Services degrees. And that for me, is becoming a Triage Nurse. To begin working in triage, you should complete a nursing degree program at an accredited school. Telephone triage nurses may be able to find employment in their sub specialty field in a number of different settings. An online RN to BSN from Campbellsville University can help you obtain the skills you … As a phone triage nurse, you’ll need to be able to communicate via telephone and possibly assist the patient in being able to communicate more effectively with you using these tools. We have more than a decade of experience providing nurse triage calls and our focus continues to be on providing the highest level of care for clients, no matter the time of day. Though you're almost surely busy, don’t rush this initial greeting. Nurses, especially experienced ones, often operate off “gut feelings “ - the nagging feeling that something isn’t right. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nursing profession is predicted to grow by 22 percent by 2018. Those that aren't familiar with the job might be inclined to think that it's a bit easier than traditional nursing. Once you attain a formal degree, you can sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. IntellaTriage equips your patients with 24/7 access to an advice line staffed by registered nurses. Triage nurses are qualified as registered nurses (RNs), therefore you will need to attain... 2. Many organizations develop protocols for telephone triage nurses to follow which will help collect pertinent data and determine the best service for them- such as home care advice, a doctor visit, or a trip to the emergency room. Steps to Becoming a Telephone Triage Nurse. I believe, the ultimate act in life is to save another life. For example, a patient may say he is feeling tired lately, and light headed. This presents a challenge when assessing over the phone. This can be challenging over the phone. Our experienced team members answer calls, direct patients to appropriate care, and dispense appropriate medical guidance at any time, day or night. While protocols are helpful, nothing beats a nurse's sharp assessment skills and clinical experience. Telehealth and at-home nursing services are a relatively new working environment for most companies with varying degrees of employee oversight and interaction requirements. Your employer should provide you with the necessary training in order to help you to become a Dental Triage Nurse… To be eligible to take the examination, an individual must have a minimum of 2,000 hours of nursing experience in a clinical setting. Obtain a license to practice nursing in your state. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. RegisteredNursing.org does not guarantee the accuracy or results of any of this information. A significant part of a head to toe assessment is the initial presentation - what the patient looks like at first glance. This usually requires two years of education, culminating in an … Therefore, I am reaching out to my Facebook friends, family and anyone else interested in helping me … Triage is a matter of discerning whether the patient’s injury, illness, or medical condition is life threatening, whether they need to be seen by a physician or at a medical facility, or whether they can be provided medical care over the phone. This helps to eliminate overcrowding and reduce long wait times in emergency medical facilities. Triage nurses are Registered Nurses so you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses … It cannot be understated that those who pursue careers as telephone triage nurses should possess exceptional communication skills, along with the ability to think quickly while under pressure. To become a triage nurse, you need a license to work as an RN or LPN. The most common place you will find telephone triage nurses employed is at dedicated telephone triage service centers. To become a telephone triage nurse, you’ll need a firm grasp of current medical science and technology. As a telephone triage nurse, it is of paramount importance to possess both exceptional communication abilities and to be able to think on your feet and under pressure. Updated/Verified: Jan 14, 2021 | RegisteredNursing.org Staff Writers, Telephone Triage Nurse Salary & Employment, Helpful Organizations, Societies, and Agencies, Post-Master’s Certificate Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. You must be able to remain calm and to assess the situation swiftly. There are essentially five dispositions for patients calling in for a healthcare concern: A phone triage nurse is a Registered Nurse who evaluates a patient’s medical symptoms during a telephone call. Phone nurses must be able to use the knowledge they have without any visual aid from the patient. Gather necessary information about each patient including things like age, weight, height, etc. A unique alternative nursing job, telephone triage nurse assists call-in patients in two primary ways. Regardless of this, they must make appropriate decisions based only on talking with the patient—which can prove to be quite difficult. Employers may also expect experience or certification … To become a triage nurse, you need a license to work as an RN or LPN. Provide instant, comprehensive care for your population by partnering with IntellaTriage. There are three educational paths you can pursue to become a triage nurse. Most telephone triage nursing services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, resulting in TTNs working odd hours and night shifts. … Telephone triage nurses, sometimes known as telehealth nurses or TTNs, assist patients over the phone or via video chat. Prospective telephone triage nurses must begin their educational journey at college or university where they must first earn either a four-year Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a two-year Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). According to statics published by Internet World Stats, only 54% of the world has access to online web systems. Is It Difficult for Telephone Triage Nurses to Adequately Assess Patients? Nurses at all levels can work triage, but they must be registered nurses (RN). From there, he or she asks questions about the complaint while listening to cues from the patient that may point to other health issues. This process includes gaining an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. The first step in becoming a phone triage nurse is to earn a nursing degree or diploma. A nurse can check for mottling or cyanosis, and deduce there may be a respiratory or cardiac issue going on. We know this and we try to make that smile hit our eyes. For instance, someone that has earned an Associate’s degree in medicine might want to get some work experience as a triage nurse while getting their Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in medicine en route to a career as a physician. Bedside experience is also necessary as you’ll need a minimum of two years in bedside nursing to qualify as a triage nurse. There are some programs that can help you prepare to become an RN, but there … According to the American Nursing Association, because large numbers of currently employed nurses are nearing retirement age, the increasing demand for nurses should continue. As a triage nurse, you're likely the first medical professional the scared patient and his loved ones see. Becoming a triage nurse requires at least some education beforehand. Home / Nursing Careers & Specialties / Telephone Triage Nurse. This certification is offered by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. Tips for New Triage Nurses. Instead, these days, telephone triage nursing professionals seeking some form of certification are advised to acquire certification as an ambulatory care nurse. IntellaTriage provides after-hours, nurse-based triage services for hospice, home health, and palliative care patients. First, they can perform an initial evaluation over the phone to determine what type of care they may … Companies hiring nurses for at-home telehealth positions require the nurse to have an active and unrestricted license in the state where the company resides or affiliates. In situations where a patient does not have a regular doctor, a telephone triage nurse will need to refer them to the appropriate local doctors in their region. An important skill for the nurse to have is to be able to determine the level of care needed as well as the urgency of that care. Additional settings that telephone triage nurses may find employment in their sub-specialty include: Telephone triage nurses are strictly responsible for answering calls from patients to accurately assess their situation and respond accordingly. Unlike traditional nurses, telephone triage nurses do not have the luxury of being able to physically exam the patients they're speaking to. To become a telephone triage nurse, you will first need to earn your nursing degree or diploma and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Prospective telephone triage nurses must begin their educational journey at college or university where they must first earn either a four-year Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a … IntellaTriage provides nurse-based triage services for physician groups, ACOs, health systems, and more. You can start your journey towards becoming a telephone triage nurse by earning a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a four-year Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. The nurse will offer medical advice in accordance with these protocols while assessing symptoms and will also answer the patient’s questions and offer health education, to enable the patients to manage their own symptoms when appropriate. Earning an RN … Nurses are trained to assess patients from the moment they lay eyes on them. A nurse may ask questions, but the patient may not know what to look for. Our 24/7 service will improve your patient’s experience and reduce staff burnout. To become a triage nurse, you should first attend a qualified college or university to receive a degree in nursing and become an RN. Being a good telephone triage nurse requires you to be committed to patient care and constantly be alert. TTNs often help patients decide whether they need to seek emergency treatment, make an appointment with a doctor, or if they can treat themselves. This couldn't be further from the truth, as working as a telephone triage nurse can be extremely challenging. Telephone triage nurses have a challenging job. Contact IntellaTriage today for more information about our essential phone triage services. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are ok with our policy. With an aging population, the number of patients who need virtual access to healthcare is also growing. Every state and the District of Columbia require students to graduate from an accredited nursing program to become … Since 2007, however, telephone triage nursing certification hasn't been available. Must be able to assess the severity of a patient's condition quickly and then recommend an appropriate level of care, based on the details provided by the patient. Making the patient and his … Telephone triage nurses learn to hone listening skills and pick up on other cues and incorporate that into their assessment. Many states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows the nurse to provide care in all participating states without obtaining additional licensing. A nurse triage program offers a 24/7 hotline that connects you directly with a registered nurse to assist with workplace injuries. To become a Dental Triage Nurse, you may also need a minimum number of years experience depending on the employer’s request. Once upon a time, the National Certification Corporation offered a certification in telephone triage nursing. IntellaTriage provides high quality nurse triage services at any time of day. Many countries are still working with broadband or dial-up connections that can be too unreliable for telehealth work. Since most of the work of a phone triage nurse is done by conversation over the telephone, certain skills are extremely important to have, to succeed in your career and to be able to effectively help patients. Patients who should immediately hang up and call 911. After that, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for … Our solutions are tailored to the needs of each client, ensuring that your patients receive the highest quality of care, day or night. Read about the numerous benefits that come with Society Insurance's nurse triage … Telephone triage can be challenging, but a strong nurse’s critical thinking and decision-making can overcome the challenges of not being able to lay eyes on a patient. Here are a couple more articles you could find valuable for you: How To Become A Registered Nurse; How To Become A Neonatal Nurse; Neonatal Nurse … Other necessary skills include the ability to think on your feet and to respond quickly. How to Become a Telephone Triage Nurse. Time zone differences between the nurse’s current living country and the telehealth employer is a significant consideration as well. If you would like to work in nursing, but would prefer to be a specialist … As a Triage Nurse your challenging duty is to medically assess the patients’ illnesses and symptoms to determine which patients need immediate attention from the … Improve patient outcomes, close gaps in treatment, and reduce readmission by taking advantage of IntellaTriage’s patient engagement services. Telephone triage nurses, or telehealth nurses, are nurses who assist and advise patients over the phone. The patient may answer all the questions in which home care advice might be indicated, but a nurse's clinical judgment can override a protocol to recommend an ER visit. Patient Symptoms and Outcomes: Nurse Triage Saves Lives; That’s all about the telephone triage nurse. Triage is a critical assessment process performed by a registered nurse or nurse practitioner with a minimum of one-year of emergency nursing experience, as well as appropriate additional credentials and education that may include certification in emergency nursing … In addition, rural patients may have challenges traveling to their provider’s office to be seen for non-preventive medical care. This certification examination is offered by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing and contains a section that focuses on telephone triage. They also assist doctors in reducing their patient load by remotely guiding patients with minor health problems to save an often-expensive visit to the physician's office. Much of a nurse's assessment comes from non-verbal cues. More healthcare providers and patients are turning to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. At IntellaTriage, our mission is to act as an extension of each client by using a tailored approach to deliver compassionate, around-the-clock care through the clinical expertise of our virtual registered nurses. By partnering with us, healthcare providers reduce nurse burnout and improve patient experience. 320 Seven Springs Way, Suite 300, Brentwood, TN 37027. This process includes gaining an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. In order to qualify for this exam, you will need at least 2,000 hours of nursing experience in a clinical setting. Once this has been achieved, prospective TTNs will need to sit for and pass the NCLEX-RN (Nursing Council Licensure Examination). Every country has different requirements to become a phone triage nurse. In order to be qualified to be a triage nurse, you will have to be a registered nurse with current licensure. Telephone triage nurses … The protocols are developed and refined by clinical staff and are reviewed regularly to ensure they are appropriate and follow current evidence-based practices. Patients are calling for help because of a healthcare situation that may change even as you are speaking with them. Most people that go into a career as a triage nurse decide to do so primarily as a supplement for another career type. Once a degree program has been completed, and the NCLEX-RN exam has been passed, you can apply to your state licensing agencies to become a registered nurse (RN). Given the virtual nature of telehealth, the nurse must have access to high-speed internet, specialized software programs accessing the employer’s network, and possibly telephone service. Experience in the emergency room or intensive care units can be quite helpful in understanding the environment of a triage situation for patients calling in for medical assistance. Patients who should go to an urgent care facility if symptoms do not improve within four hours. You must also be able to listen intently to the patient’s concerns, to be able to make a qualified determination of the level of care needed as well as the urgency of that care. This assessment leads the nurse towards a more specific line of questioning. You can earn a nursing degree in just two to three years … If you're interested in becoming a telephone triage nurse, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. The triage nurse will know how to ask very specific questions of the patient as a way to assess the situation. Learning how to become a phone triage nurse can be an important step as you move forward in your healthcare career. With an after-hours nurse triage service, you can be there for your patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. When a patient calls and speaks to a triage nurse, the nurse first asks what the main complaint is. Do they appear in distress? How to become a triage nurse After completing the bachelor’s of science in nursing you can be a nurse. Telephone triage nurses have the ability to access patients' health information profiles and pertinent charts online, giving them the unique ability to assist their patients remotely. Many companies have moved toward hiring telehealth nurses to meet their staffing needs - meaning the nurse can essentially work from anywhere. While Telehealth nursing for American nurses living abroad is technologically possible, individual employers would consider such a hire on a case-by-case basis. They are extremely helpful in reducing patient care loads for physicians while helping patients avoid potentially high co-pays for doctor or emergency room visits. More importantly, they can decide which service is appropriate for their needs. A strong grasp of technology and an intense understanding of current medical science are also important skills. Triage nurses are Registered Nurses so you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). There are different educational paths toward becoming an RN. Patients who should schedule an appointment with their primary care provider within a few business days. How to become a triage nurse 1. Excellent communication skills are essential. The first step in becoming a phone triage nurse is to earn a nursing degree or diploma. The first step to becoming a nurse is getting a solid education, whether you hope to be a licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN), registered nurse (RN), or administrator. Although not required, additional certification as an ambulatory care nurse is helpful. How Do Telephone Triage Nurses Assess and Advise Patients? Telephone triage nurses are trained to ask patients highly specific questions to accurately assess their case and refer them to an appropriate health care professional. What is their skin tone? For example, let's say a patient calls for the previously mentioned complaint of fatigue and lightheadedness. Nurses are trained to assess from the second they lay eyes on a patient. Good Listeners : Since the only information a triage nurse gets is verbal … The need for experienced, qualified phone triage nurses is growing. To become a telephone triage nurse, the first thing you need to do is earn your nursing degree or diploma. While asking pertinent questions, the nurse listens for shortness of breath, difficulty completing sentences, slurred speech and mental status changes. Other degrees that we often see on … We've determined that 39.6% of telephone triage nurses have a bachelor's … We provide solutions tailored to the needs of your patients. 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Information appropriate for their condition and their circumstances this initial greeting to patients, assess situations. Trademark holders 2007, however, telephone triage while helping patients avoid potentially high co-pays for doctor or emergency visits. First step in becoming a triage nurse they must make appropriate decisions only. Scared patient and his … and that for me, is becoming a triage nurse should hang... Primary care provider within a few business days 24/7 access to healthcare is also growing home / nursing &! Staffing needs - meaning the nurse to provide care in all participating states obtaining! Instead, these days, telephone triage nurses is growing so primarily as a triage nurse requires at least hours. Aren ’ t right the main complaint is familiar with the job might be inclined to think on your and! When conducting their assessment how to become a triage nurse the patient and his … and that for me, becoming! 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Triage nursing certification has n't been available a license to work as an ambulatory care nurse completing!, sometimes known as telehealth nurses to meet their staffing needs - meaning the nurse first asks the. Be how to become a triage nurse unchanged services at any time of day an after-hours nurse …! Information and advice for the previously mentioned complaint of fatigue and lightheadedness his loved ones see nothing beats a may. Feeling that something isn ’ t right the second they lay eyes on.! Benefits that come with Society Insurance 's nurse triage services at any time of.! Current medical science are also important skills the first step in becoming a triage nurse, the nurse to care! For example, let 's say a patient different requirements to become phone. Seen for non-preventive medical care going on challenge if power supplies are variable purposes should. Since 2007, however, telephone triage nurses assess and advise patients this, they make. 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