Yes, the congruence $x^2+x+1\equiv 0\pmod{p}$ has a solution for the prime $p\gt 2$ if and only if $-3$ is a quadratic residue of $p$. For by your argument, if there is a solution of $x^2+x+1\equiv 0\pmod{p}$, then $(2x+1)^2\equiv -3\pmod{p}$. In the other direction, if $w^2\equiv -3\pmod{p}$, then we can solve the original congruence by solving $2x++1\equiv w\pmod{p}$, which is always possible.
Now to finish characterizing the primes such that $x^2+x+1\equiv 0\pmod{p}$ is solvable, note that either
(i) $p$ is of the form $4k+1$, and $3$ is a quadratic residue of $p$ or
(ii) $p$ is of the form $4k+3$, and $3$ is a non-residue of $p$.
To compute the Legendre symbol $(p/3)$ in cases (i) and (ii), use Quadratic Reciprocity. It is easy to describe the odd $p$ such that $(3/p)=1$.