SUMMARY:

This position will work with low-acuity callers to MedStar’s emergency communications center to coordinate alternative solutions for their minor health care needs.  The ECNS Nurse interacts with area health care, social service, and transportation providers to assist with medical advice, appointment scheduling and required follow-up contacts to assure the highest quality alternate referral program.

SPECIAL NOTE:  This job has been designated as a Safety Sensitive Position by MedStar. Public safety, as well as the safety of MedStar employees, requires that the employee in this position be able to perform all essential functions at the highest levels at all times.  Therefore, this position is subject to frequent drug testing and requires reporting of all employee use of High Risk Medications identified by MedStar and certification from the employee’s physician that such medications can be safely used while working.  Because MedStar’s ability to deliver emergency medical response depends on having a workforce that can be reliably scheduled, this job also requires regular and reliable attendance.  This is a high-stress job that requires focus, engagement, and high performance in traumatic, physically demanding, emotionally charged, and life-threatening situations.  The position involves exposure to serious and graphic injury to adults and children, including death and dismemberment.  A high level of physical, mental, and emotional health is an essential requirement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Answer incoming 911, administrative, MIH client, and client city, lines with non-emergency and emergency requests for service in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Perform a nursing assessment and triage for lower risk medical calls utilizing evidence-based ECNS protocols.
• Formulate patient treatment plans and assist patients in arranging appropriate treatment and transportation.
• Provide medical pre-arrival instructions as required by the International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols
• Work with MedStar’s Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Program clients for appointment scheduling, visit scheduling, and transportation scheduling.
• Enter all related information in the appropriate fields of the utilized computer systems with efficiency and accuracy.
• Participates in quality assurance review of calls.
• Maintain appropriate physical and mental health required to perform the essential functions of this job.
• Regular and timely physical attendance during assigned work hours.
• On-call and overtime work required in emergencies and at other times as directed or assigned.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Familiar with first responder policies of MedStar’s 15 client cities and the ability to interact with them professionally.
• Familiar with MedStar MIH policies and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge on current or updated policies and procedures.
• Maintain QA/QI scores for EMD/ECNS as set forth by the EMD/ECNS QA/QI Supervisors and accreditation standards.
• Work effectively as member of the MedStar team.
• Complete other projects and/or responsibilities as assigned by the Mobile Integrated Health Manager.
• Ensure confidentiality of medical and all other discretionary information in accordance with HIPAA and all agency policies.

JOB DUTIES:

• Uses computer-based triage algorithm to triage emergency and non-emergency medical calls
• Formulates plans to address caller needs through the most appropriate community network of treatment resources
• Assists callers in arranging appropriate medical care and appointments
• Coordinates caller’s health needs with medical, social service and other community agencies
• Coordinates caller transport with participating agencies for both the MIH and ECNS programs
• Provides instruction to callers regarding health and treatment plans
• Counsels and instructs callers concerning proper medical and health care methods
• Conducts caller follow-up surveys
• Accurate and timely completion of all medical records in the designated systems
• Participates in mandatory meetings, training, staff development, and quality assurance activities

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Air conditioned office environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sit for extended periods of time
• Walk, stand, bend, squat, twist and reach
• Simple grasping and fine manipulation
• Extended keyboarding

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) through the Texas Board of Nursing
• Must be certified as an Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher (AEMD) or must attain an AEMD certification during the Communications Academy.
• Must be certified as an Emergency Communication Nurse (ECN) or must attain an ECNS certification during the Communications Academy.
• Must have a current CPR certification or must attain the certification during the Communications Center Academy.
• Two years of emergency department or equivalent acute care registered nursing experience, or two years of experience in a prehospital environment working as an EMS or flight registered nurse, or two years of experience providing nursing care/instructions in a telephonic setting, or any combination thereof.
• Ability to type at least 35 words per minute and/or 2500 keystrokes per hour
• Simultaneously perform multiple tasks and make appropriate decisions under stress while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Be able to interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors, management, clients and any other person(s) with whom he/she may interact.
• Be able to receive and follow written and/or verbal instructions appropriately.
• Be able to maintain a positive attitude, under a variety of conditions, and relate appropriately to a variety of individuals
• Excellent written and verbal communicative skills
• Must be a quick learner with ability to retain large amounts of information
• Must have the ability to successfully complete all training tasks and associated tests in the Communications Academy.
• Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Must have a working knowledge of personal computers including windows based programs (i.e., email, web browsers, windows operating system)
• Must demonstrate effective working knowledge of all program systems within 6 month of employment (i.e. CAD, ECNS, EMD, telephonic, EMR, and/or any other systems being utilized by the agency and related to job functions).
• Must not have been excluded by the OIG to Participate in Federally Funded Heath Care Programs

PREFERRED REQUIRMENTS:

• Current or former certification/licensure as an EMT-Paramedic.
• BSN