Those call centers using computerized programs for triage, will require a new hire to spend several hours in becoming comfortable with the programs. Triage nurses need to be able to maneuver through a computer program while talking with a patient on the phone and entering all the required data, skills which take some time and practice to acquire. If the call center offers both phone advice lines and telephone triage, the new hire will usually start off with answering the advice line, which is more general and non-urgent in nature. Once their skill and confidence level increases, they would then be ready to answer the more demanding calls involved with triage. At this time there is no certification offered for telephone triage.
Salaries depend on the institution for which one is working.
Some facilities hire on the lower end of the range for nursing jobs in the geographical area in which the position is offered. On the other hand, other institutions offer a higher salary than outpatient nursing in their area, and comparable to inpatient staff nurses. Most call centers provide full benefits for nursing employees including shift differential and insurance policies. For those who are looking for a change from bedside nursing, the salary difference might be well worth it. Nurses who enter the triage field must have excellent communication skills, critical thinking skills, the ability to handle stressful situations, the capacity to function independently, have varied clinical experience, and the ability to document meticulously.