Licensed Practical Nurse Outpatient - Orthopedics

WellSpan Health•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

Performs patient screening to determine the appropriate avenue of care and provides intermediate-level nursing care as part of the health care team. Helps plan and implement patient care using sound nursing judgment, clinical preparation, knowledge, skills, and experience, in accordance with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Also serves as a nursing resource for clinical staff. The role includes collecting patient histories, performing authorized procedures and tests, maintaining supplies and instruments, communicating between patients and providers, reinforcing patient education, triaging symptoms, coordinating follow-up on diagnostic results, supporting care between visits, completing related paperwork and scheduling, maintaining accurate records, and processing prescription requests and refills. In the Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Wound Care setting, duties may include assisting with and monitoring hyperbaric oxygen treatments after required training and competencies, performing ordered testing, educating patients and families, and discussing treatment outcomes with the manager and hyperbaric physician. The position follows applicable safety, quality, environmental, infection-control, documentation, and HIPAA requirements; maintains professional development and required credentials; provides age-appropriate care and education; and supports teamwork and service. The schedule is Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with no weekends or holidays. Sign-on bonus eligible.

Requirements

Completion certificate, degree, or diploma from an accredited LPN program; a diploma program or associate degree is listed as required.
At least 1 year of clinical nursing experience.
Required upon hire: a listed nursing license—Licensed Practical Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse Multi State License, Licensed Registered Nurse, or Registered Nurse Multi State License—and Basic Life Support.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Models teamwork.
Self-motivated and dependable.
Able to work independently.
Advanced skills and good communication.

Nice To Haves

Sign-on bonus eligible; this is an incentive rather than a qualification.

Responsibilities

Obtain patient histories and gather information.
Perform specialized procedures, examinations, and tests as ordered and permitted by the Ambulatory Clinical Scope Document, including urinary catheterization and IV insertion with approved certification training.
Keep patient care areas stocked with unexpired supplies and medications.
Sterilize and appropriately handle and store instruments, equipment, and supplies; assess sterility and instrument integrity and prepare supplies.
Facilitate communication between providers and patients.
Reinforce health education, counseling, and advice to patients and families in collaboration with a Physician/APP.
Assess patient education needs, identify learning barriers, prioritize learning needs, and use educational tools to support patient learning.
Assess patient or caller health status, follow defined protocols, determine urgency, and direct them to an appropriate level or alternative venue of care; seek Physician/APP advice as appropriate.
Track and review diagnostic test results to ensure provider verification and patient notification; provide related education and monitoring in collaboration with the Physician/APP.
Assist with patient care management between visits and with utilization of the health care system, including education about health care needs, community resources, and managed-care membership responsibilities.
Complete paperwork, prior authorizations, and appointment scheduling for ordered diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Maintain accurate patient records and comply with HIPAA.
Document and process prescription requests and refills according to Physician/APP orders or policy.
When requested in HBO Wound Care, complete the specified introductory hyperbaric medicine course and, after required competencies, monitor hyperbaric dives as requested.
For HBO care, perform ordered transcutaneous oxygen monitoring and blood glucose testing, provide hyperbaric treatments according to the treatment plan, and monitor patients during therapy.
Educate patients and families about hyperbaric oxygen therapy benefits, risks, contraindications, and safety before treatment.
Evaluate patient outcomes and discuss treatment and adjustments with the manager and hyperbaric physician.
Provide assistance in the Wound Center only within current clinical licensure scope.
Follow safety, quality, environmental, and infection-control policies; report actual or potential errors and hazardous conditions; participate in safety education and root cause analyses as required.
Maintain work-area cleanliness, professional growth, licensure, required certifications, and mandatory child-reporting education.
Provide outstanding customer service, foster teamwork, practice fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation, provide age-appropriate education and nursing care, and attend required meetings.