Triage
Triage is a process of determining the priority of patients' or incidents' treatments based on how serious their condition is. It's like sorting tasks by urgency, but for emergency situations. This system helps emergency workers decide who needs help first when there are multiple people needing attention. While the term started in medical settings, it's now used in many emergency response roles, from disaster management to customer service priority systems. Think of it as an organized way to handle multiple urgent situations when resources are limited.
Examples in Resumes
Performed Triage assessment for over 200 emergency room patients monthly
Led Triage protocols during major city-wide disaster response exercise
Developed new Triage system for handling multiple emergency calls efficiently
Typical job title: "Triage Nurses"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Triage Nurses
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a mass casualty incident with limited resources?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should describe the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) method, explain how to organize teams, and demonstrate knowledge of resource allocation during major incidents.
Q: Tell me about a time you had to modify standard triage protocols to handle an unusual situation.
Expected Answer: Should share specific examples of adapting procedures while maintaining safety and efficiency, showing leadership and decision-making abilities in challenging circumstances.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when performing initial triage assessment?
Expected Answer: Should mention vital signs, level of consciousness, breathing rate, and ability to walk. Should explain the difference between immediate, delayed, and minor care categories.
Q: How do you handle difficult or aggressive patients during triage?
Expected Answer: Should discuss de-escalation techniques, safety protocols, and maintaining professional composure while ensuring proper medical assessment.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic steps of the triage process?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic assessment steps: checking airways, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness, and how to categorize patients by urgency.
Q: How do you prioritize multiple patients arriving simultaneously?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic triage categories (red/yellow/green) and explain how to quickly assess which patients need immediate attention.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic patient assessment
- Understanding of triage protocols
- Basic vital signs monitoring
- Documentation skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced patient assessment
- Crisis management
- Team coordination
- Multiple patient handling
Senior (5+ years)
- Mass casualty incident management
- Protocol development
- Staff training and supervision
- Emergency response planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- Inability to make quick decisions under pressure
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of experience with emergency protocols
- No knowledge of basic vital signs assessment
- Difficulty managing multiple tasks simultaneously
Related Terms
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