The posting
Overview
The Behavioral & Developmental Triage Nurse provides specialized clinical triage and care coordination for patients and families receiving services through the Pediatric Behavioral & Developmental specialty clinic at Pediatric CMS. This role serves as a primary clinical resource for families, providers, schools, and community partners by providing timely telephone triage, medication-related support, care coordination, and follow-up.
The position provides Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. specialty clinic triage coverage and supports the safe, efficient management of behavioral, developmental, and medication-related concerns.
Responsibilities
Clinical & Telephone Triage
- Provide Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. telephone triage for patients and families followed by the Behavioral & Developmental specialty clinic.
- Assess and triage behavioral and developmental concerns, changes in symptoms, medication reactions or side effects, and other clinical concerns.
- Provide appropriate nursing guidance based on established protocols and clinical judgment.
- Identify urgent or emergent concerns and facilitate timely escalation to the appropriate provider, emergency services, or level of care.
- Provide specialized assessment and triage for self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other safety concerns, including appropriate risk escalation and coordination with the clinical team and emergency resources when indicated.
- Communicate effectively with patients, parents/caregivers, providers, and other members of the care team.
Medication Management Support
- Review and process prescription refill requests in accordance with clinic protocols.
- Review medication-related questions and concerns, including potential adverse reactions and side effects, and coordinate appropriate provider follow-up.
- Assist with medication prior authorizations (PAs), including gathering required clinical information and coordinating with providers, pharmacies, and insurance plans.
- Support medication-related care coordination and communication between families, pharmacies, and the specialty care team.
Post-Discharge & Follow-Up
- Conduct soon post-discharge follow-up calls for patients recently discharged from inpatient or other higher levels of care, as directed by clinic protocols.
- Assess ongoing needs, medication concerns, safety concerns, and barriers to follow-up.
- Communicate significant findings to the appropriate provider and facilitate timely follow-up when needed.
- Reinforce discharge instructions and help families navigate the transition back to outpatient specialty care.
Care Coordination & Appointment Support
- Assist families with coordinating specialty appointments and follow-up care.
- Help facilitate scheduling and coordination for specialty evaluations and services, including CARS, CADE, and other Behavioral & Developmental clinic services.
- Identify barriers to care and communicate with appropriate staff to support timely access to services.
- Coordinate communication among providers and other members of the multidisciplinary care team as appropriate.
School & Family Support
- Assist with school-related forms and documentation within the scope of the role and clinic processes.
- Provide families with appropriate education, resources, and guidance related to behavioral and developmental care.
- Help families understand care plans, follow-up recommendations, and available community or educational resources.
Clinical Safety & Escalation
The Behavioral & Developmental Triage Nurse is responsible for recognizing and appropriately escalating high-risk clinical situations, including:
- Suicidal ideation or suspected suicide risk
- Self-harm or threats of self-harm
- Acute behavioral or psychiatric deterioration
- Significant medication reactions or adverse effects
- Other urgent clinical concerns requiring immediate evaluation
The nurse will follow established Pediatric CMS policies, triage protocols, and emergency procedures to ensure patient safety and timely provider notification or escalation.
Qualifications
- LPN with current licensure.
- Pediatric nursing experience preferred.
- Experience with behavioral health, developmental pediatrics, psychiatry, or specialty clinic triage preferred.
- Strong clinical assessment, telephone triage, communication, and care coordination skills.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent requests while maintaining appropriate prioritization and timely follow-up.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with children, adolescents, families, schools, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
- Knowledge of medication management processes, prescription refills, and prior authorizations preferred.
- Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to behavioral health and patient safety concerns, including suicidal ideation and self-harm.
Licensure/Certification/Registration:
- Current Licensed LPN eligible to practice in the State of Florida.
- Florida is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Act. AHA or Red Cross Basic Life Support (CPR) is required or must be obtained within first 90 days of employment. Must maintain current Basic Life Support (CPR). Must successfully complete medication test within 30 days of hire.
