telephone triage

Vtachy1 · Feb 11, 2009

The position I'm interviewing for is $14/hr. THey reimburse you for cell phone and fax/phone bill $100/month.

There are higher paying jobs, but I live in a rural area. I've heard that some make around $25 an hour.

I have no idea what my job will have as far as bennies. I interview today so I'll let you know.

Vtachy1 · Feb 15, 2009

I got the job. There are no bennies. But I'm very happy to get this job. Even though its $14/hr, I can be at home and I won't have to work with a bunch of witchy women! :yeah: I get to be here for my kids.

shah · Feb 15, 2009

Even though its $14/hr, I can be at home and I won't have to work with a bunch of witchy women!

I agree with that.

BizNurse · Mar 3, 2009

I make $27 an hour but there are also many bonuses.... I only work weekends since I have my business from home, but I really enjoy it.

Linda/CMAS, BS, RN

AnnetteLiz · May 5, 2009

Hey Vtachy

How is the job going? I too am very interested in staying home and don't mind taking a pay cut so that I can.

I am very interested in telephone triage but I'm having a really difficult time find a position. I don't think it's as widespread in Canada (where I'm from). There are some companies that are hiring, but they are all in a call centre and the location is just too far for me to travel.

Anyone have ideas where I could look in Canada?

BizNurse · May 5, 2009

Did you call any local Triage companies and ask if they have a work from home program after training? CareNet who I do calls for on weekends did not say they did, but they do after 90 days if you're doing well. It sure can't hurt to ask.

To be honest, if our business from home wasn't so busy, I'd do Triage full time! I LOVE the patient interaction and appreciation!

Linda/CMAS, BS, RN

:redpinkhe

AnnetteLiz · May 6, 2009

Thanks for the reply BizNurse.

Hey, it's a good situation you're in being busy with your business though. What is your business if you don't mind me asking?

I will look up the triage companies and take your advice and contact them, probably a good place to start.

Nice to know you like Triage, I think I would too.

BizNurse · May 6, 2009

I messaged you AnnetteLiz....

With triage nursing, you have about 8-10 minutes to REALLY make a positive impact on pts... and they are SOOOO appreciative of our time that it ROCKS!!! It's the BEST of nursing coupled with a work at home in your PJ's if you want!! :-) Linda/RN

AnnetteLiz · May 6, 2009

Ok, I like the PJ's part.

My only concern would be if I had a caller that did not fit the protocal at all or if I was completely "stuck". Ok, I know it's always good to err on the side of caution, but I can't just send every caller that I'm stumped on to the ED. What do you do in those situations? Is there someone available to talk to if necessary?

BizNurse · May 6, 2009

The protocol is SOOOO vast that that's never happened to me.... and if it did, we have a guideline "DOES NOT FIT GUIDELINES" and the RN has the power to send the pt to ER/MD or UCC! And we always have other nurses online that we can message.....

I work with a TOTALLY awesome company! :-) Linda/CMAS, BS, RN

Vtachy1 · May 6, 2009

Hey Vtachy
How is the job going? I too am very interested in staying home and don't mind taking a pay cut so that I can.
I am very interested in telephone triage but I'm having a really difficult time find a position. I don't think it's as widespread in Canada (where I'm from). There are some companies that are hiring, but they are all in a call centre and the location is just too far for me to travel.
Anyone have ideas where I could look in Canada?

Its going pretty good. THey weren't kidding when they said you were busy! Last Friday I had 60 calls in an 8 hour shift. But that was crazy busy, I usually have 30 or 40 calls.

Night shift is awesome, very slow paced. I love working from home. The money is very low in this job but my happiness is very high right now.

I was very worried about switching shifts because I have been battling insomnia since Jr. High. I broke down and called my doc and he ordered desyrel 1/2 tab for the nights that I work night shift, I won't sleep in the day and then about 2 hours before I go to bed that next night, I take it. So I only have to take the sleeping pill 4 or 5 times a month. Usually I work evenings, and on weekends I work days a lot.

I've never had a "sit down" job. THis really is the berries, when you compare it to ICU which was pure H-E double hockey sticks!!!

I almost left the nursing profession altogether, until I found this job. My heart is here at home with my family, and when I work nights, sometimes I can even help get the kids ready for school in between calls. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that!

Can you call around to some of the hospitals and get numbers for different exchanges? Call doctor's offices and see if there is a need for this type of service in your local town. I had one of the docs I used to work with in ICU call me a couple of days ago, he's very interested in having a nurse like this. He said that used to, 20 years ago, when patients called you at home, they were REALLY sick. Nowdays, patients call on a Saturday night at 11 pm for a stupid red dot on their arm! :uhoh3:

There is a need and a demand it seems for this type of work. There is a shortage of docs too and the workload is pretty heavy for them.

AnnetteLiz · May 6, 2009

It's great that you can be home with the kids.and be there with them when they are off to school. My kids are sort of grown...2 in university and 2 in highschool, but I still feel I need to be here, I know I want to. I think if you take into consideration the commute to and from work, gas, time etc, you are only making a little less. And to make a little less and be home is sooo worth it. Also, you have your foot in, giving you experience, so that can just lead to bigger and better opportunities with possibly increased income.

I'm glad to see that you like it though. I did reply to BizNurse and asked her about situations that arise that you might be stumped on, has that ever happened to you yet?