LPN - Total Joint Coordinator

Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists•Spokane, WA

About The Position

The Nurse Navigator – Total Joint Replacement coordinates the preoperative process for patients scheduled for total joint replacement surgery. Working with patients, providers, surgery schedulers, anesthesia personnel, and the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), the coordinator helps ensure timely review of medical records, completion of required preoperative testing, and confirmation that patients meet established requirements for outpatient surgery. The position is a primary patient contact throughout the preoperative process, providing education, guidance, and timely communication to support readiness, safety, and a positive surgical experience. Work follows established Epic electronic health record workflows, organizational policies, provider protocols, and applicable ASC guidelines. The position requires an accredited college of nursing education, a current unrestricted RN or LPN license in Washington State, and valid BLS certification within 30 days of hire. Preferred qualifications include one to two years of nursing experience, preferably in orthopedics, surgical services, perioperative care, or care coordination; experience with total joint replacement pathways and outpatient procedures; and experience using Epic or a comparable EHR. The role calls for knowledge of nursing practice, orthopedic conditions, preoperative assessment and clearance workflows, and outpatient surgery requirements. It also requires strong organization, communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, confidentiality, and the ability to coordinate care and escalate clinical concerns appropriately.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited college of nursing.
Current unrestricted RN or LPN license in the State of Washington.
Valid BLS certification within 30 days of hire.
Knowledge of nursing principles, practices, procedures, and professional standards.
Knowledge of orthopedic conditions and total joint replacement procedures.
Understanding of preoperative assessment, medical record review, and surgical clearance workflows.
Familiarity with outpatient surgery requirements and ASC policies and procedures.
Proficiency in Epic or ability to learn and consistently follow established Epic workflows.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple patients, track requirements, and prioritize competing demands.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to provide clear patient education and reinforce provider-directed instructions.
Ability to recognize incomplete documentation, abnormal results, and potential barriers to readiness and escalate concerns appropriately.
Ability to coordinate effectively with patients, schedulers, anesthesia personnel, providers, and other healthcare professionals.
Ability to apply established protocols and recognize when additional clinical review is needed.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and organizational privacy policies.
Ability to work independently within established protocols and escalate clinical concerns when needed.
Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, accountability, and sound clinical judgment.
Ability to learn new processes, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain accurate documentation in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to patient safety, quality care, teamwork, and excellent customer service.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of nursing experience, preferably in orthopedics, surgical services, perioperative care, or care coordination.
Experience with total joint replacement pathways and outpatient surgical procedures.
Experience using Epic or a comparable electronic health record system.
Familiarity with preoperative clearance processes, anesthesia requirements, and ASC eligibility criteria.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the preoperative process for total joint replacement patients, tracking requirements and following up to support timely surgical readiness.
Serve as a primary contact for patients regarding preparation, documentation, testing, medical clearances, and provider-directed instructions.
Review patient records in Epic to verify required evaluations, laboratory results, diagnostic testing, consultations, and other preoperative requirements.
Identify missing documentation, abnormal results, medical concerns, and barriers to readiness; communicate and escalate concerns to the appropriate provider or clinical team.
Coordinate follow-up on outstanding requirements and facilitate clearance within the scope of nursing practice and established protocols.
Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia personnel, surgery schedulers, the ASC, and other healthcare team members about patient readiness and issues affecting scheduled procedures.
Confirm required documentation and applicable outpatient surgery eligibility requirements are addressed according to provider protocols, organizational policies, and ASC guidelines.
Educate patients, reinforce provider-directed instructions, answer questions within nursing scope, and arrange follow-up when needed.
Respond to patient calls and electronic communications through approved channels with timely, professional, and compassionate communication.
Document patient communications, clearance status, outstanding requirements, and relevant clinical coordination accurately in Epic.
Support compliance with applicable regulatory, accreditation, infection prevention, patient safety, and documentation requirements.
Maintain awareness of current organizational and ASC requirements for outpatient total joint replacement and communicate questions or discrepancies to the appropriate supervisor.