GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION: Rochelle Community Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, medical condition, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. All offers are contingent upon successful passing of a post-offer substance testing, positive reference checks and background check and your ability to establish your employment eligibility in the United States. No sponsorship is available for this position.
ALL RESUMES AND APPLICATIONS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED THROUGH ILLINOISJOBNETWORK.COM TO BE CONSIDERED. Please be advised that your application is not complete until you fill out, sign, and submit an Application for Employment for a specific position for which Rochelle Community Hospital is actively recruiting. Your application must reflect that you possess the required qualifications for the position.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Triage Nurse (RN/LPN) is responsible for providing patient triage services, managing the nurse phone line, supporting care coordination, and delivering clinical support within the Rural Health Clinic (RHC). This role performs nursing assessments, prioritizes patient needs, and facilitates appropriate levels of care based on established clinical protocols. The Triage Nurse collaborates with providers and other departments to ensure safe, timely, and effective patient care. All duties are performed in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, including Rural Health Clinic Conditions for Certification (42 CFR 491), and organizational policies and procedures.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Triage & Clinical Assessment
- Responds to patient triage calls via telephone and in-person walk-ins.
- Collects and assesses patient symptoms, concerns, and relevant health information.
- Utilizes established protocols and clinical judgment to determine appropriate level of care (clinic visit, urgent care, or emergency department).
- Identifies high-risk symptoms (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke symptoms) and directs patients to emergency services or initiates EMS activation as appropriate.
- Provides patient guidance and education based on approved protocols, provider direction, and scope of practice.
- Performs nursing assessments and documents findings accurately in the electronic medical record (EMR).
Care Coordination
- Communicate effectively with providers via the EMR and other communication methods.
- Relays provider instructions, test results, and follow-up recommendations to patients and caregivers.
- Assists with coordination of care, including referrals, diagnostic testing, and follow-up appointments.
- Supports nurse case management activities as directed.
Clinical Support
- Performs selected nursing duties and assists providers with patient care as part of the healthcare team.
- Administers medications and treatments as ordered by the provider and in accordance with clinic protocols.
- Prepares and maintains exam and procedure rooms.
- Assists with scheduled tests, treatments, and procedures as needed.
Documentation & Communication:
- Documents all patient interactions, assessments, and communications thoroughly and accurately in the EMR.
- Maintains clear, timely, and professional communication with patients, families, providers, and staff.
- Responds promptly to phone calls, messages, and patient inquiries.
Regulatory Compliance (RHC / State of Illinois):
- Performs duties in compliance with Rural Health Clinic Conditions for Certification (42 CFR 491).
- Adheres to Illinois Nurse Practice Act and scope of practice requirements.
Quality & Patient Experience:
- Provides compassionate, patient-centered care and support.
- Promotes patient safety and satisfaction through effective triage and communication.
Safety & Risk Management:
- Identifies and reports patient safety concerns, incidents, or adverse events.
- Participates in incident reporting and follow-up as required.
Administrative & Other Duties:
- Assists with prior authorizations, referrals, and pre-certifications as needed.
- Maintains organization of work areas and supplies.
Annual RHC Requirements Checklist:
- Current CPR certification.
- Completion of continuing education per Illinois licensure requirements.
- Completion of annual employee health requirements.
- Participation in required department meetings.
- Completion of assigned training modules (e.g., HealthStream).
General Hospital Expectations:
- The Joint Commission requires healthcare organizations to establish and enforce strict standards of behavior to ensure a safe, respectful, and high-quality care environment.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives, performance improvement activities, departmental meetings and organizational meetings as required.
- Maintain required training and/or education per hospital guidelines.
- Legal Right to Practice; credential, licensure, certification, membership
- HealthStream Modules
- Follow and maintain all employee health and safety policy, including hygiene and hazard mitigation while on duty.
- Adhere to all safety protocols, including utilizing proper lifting techniques and asking for assistance when loads exceed individual capacity and follow any required protective equipment (PPE) for peers, patients and community.
- Promptly report safety issues such hazardous conditions, job-related injury or illness, and seek guidance or treatment.
- Follows all professional standards, policies, procedures, best practices, clinical protocols of federal/state/local requirements and regulatory organizations.
- Maintains strict confidentiality of patients, records, financials, department and hospital information applicable to HIPAA and law/policy.
- Portrays professional, positive, caring, high-quality, safe and kind experience for visitors, patients, physicians and staff.
- Supports and promotes an environment conducive to Standards of Behavior, Mission, Vision and Values of the hospital.
- Other duties as assigned within scope of job and organization.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Minimum Required: Associate Degree in Nursing- RN, LPN- completion of a state-approved, accredited Practical Nursing certificate or diploma program.
Licensure/Certification or credentials:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) with current Illinois license from Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation required.
Experience Level:
- Minimum of one (1) year experience in a physician office or outpatient clinic preferred.
- Will consider a highly motivated new graduate with appropriate training.
Skills/Competency:
- Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to prioritize patient needs and respond appropriately in urgent situations.
- Knowledge of triage principles and clinical protocols.
- Proficiency in electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Typical Working Conditions:
Fosters collaboration, interaction, open communication, and employee well-being, leading to excellent patient care and job satisfaction. Working in hospitals/clinics involves interacting with patients-other staff-providers-public, etc. and exposure to communicable disease, bodily fluids, medicinal preparations, cleaning fluids, medical waste, radiation and other hazardous conditions common to the healthcare environment. Work may involve periods of high volume and urgent patient needs.
Infection Prevention & Control:
- Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection of clinical areas and equipment.
- Follows safe handling and disposal of biohazardous materials.
Physical Demands/Activities:
- The ideal candidate must be able to perform essential job functions and complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Collaboration is constant. Staff must frequently communicate with patients, doctors, nurses, technicians, other staff, administrative personnel and outside customers.
- Communication- Ability to accurately, clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, and feedback with diverse teams, patients, community, visitors, medical staff and clients. Strong written and interpersonal skills, with an openness to adapting communication methods to ensure team accessibility and excellent patient care.
- Exertion: Light Work- Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a small amount of force up to 10 lbs frequently to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg control requires exertion of forces greater than that of sedentary work and if the worker sits most of the time, the job is considered light work.
- Mobility: Ability to stand or sit for extended periods. Frequent walking, bending, stooping, and reaching.
- Sensory Abilities: Adequate vision and hearing for patient care and communication
- Dexterity: Operate clinical and office equipment.
- Direct patient contact with potential exposure to healthcare hazards.
Rochelle Community Hospital Association position descriptions are guidelines. They are not intended to identify every task that an employee will be asked to do. They are intended to provide a general outline of the work, responsibilities, and qualifications of the position. Employees are expected to provide whatever assistant is needed so that both individual and organizational success can be achieved.
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Rochelle Community Hospital
31.99-43.94 - Competitive Pay based on experience, Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Leave, Shift Premiums, Health, Vision and Dental Insurance (eligible 1st of month after hire date), Life & Disability Insurance, 401(k) Plan, Flexible Spendin
Nov 11, 2026