LPN - Total Joint Coordinator

Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists•Spokane, WA

1d•$32 - $57

About The Position

The Nurse Navigator – Total Joint Replacement coordinates the preoperative process for patients scheduled for total joint replacement surgery. Working collaboratively with patients, providers, surgery schedulers, anesthesia personnel, and the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), this role facilitates timely medical record review, completion of required preoperative testing, and confirmation that patients meet established outpatient surgery requirements. The Nurse Navigator is a primary point of contact for patients throughout the preoperative process, providing education, guidance, and timely communication to support patient readiness, safety, and a positive surgical experience. The position follows established Epic electronic health record (EHR) workflows, organizational policies, provider protocols, and applicable ASC guidelines. Final medical and anesthesia clearance decisions remain with the appropriately authorized clinician.

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 outstanding 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 surgical readiness and escalate concerns appropriately.
Ability to coordinate effectively with patients, surgery schedulers, anesthesia personnel, providers, and other healthcare professionals.
Ability to apply established protocols and recognize when additional clinical review is needed to determine readiness for outpatient surgery.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and organizational privacy policies.
Ability to work independently within established protocols and recognize when clinical concerns require escalation.
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 preoperative requirements for patients scheduled for total joint replacement and follow up to support timely surgical readiness.
Serve as a primary patient contact for preoperative 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, or potential barriers to readiness, and communicate or 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 regarding readiness, outstanding requirements, and issues affecting scheduled procedures.
Confirm required documentation and outpatient surgery eligibility requirements are addressed according to provider protocols, organizational policies, and ASC guidelines.
Educate patients, reinforce provider-directed instructions, respond to questions within the scope of nursing practice, and coordinate follow-up when needed.
Respond to patient telephone calls and electronic communications through approved channels with timely, professional, compassionate communication.
Document patient communications, clearance status, outstanding requirements, and relevant clinical coordination accurately in Epic.
Support compliance with regulatory, accreditation, infection prevention, patient safety, and documentation requirements related to outpatient total joint replacement surgery.
Maintain awareness of organizational and ASC requirements and communicate questions or discrepancies to the appropriate supervisor.
Demonstrate and uphold all 19 NWOS Fundamentals.