Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Coumadin Clinic

About the role

Responsible for providing professional nursing care for Imperial Health patients following established standards and practices. Assists physicians and staff in coordinating and monitoring Coumadin (warfarin) therapy. Functions as primary liaison between patients, staff and physicians for the purpose of maintaining adequate and safe anti-coagulation.

Responsibilities

• Assists with development and implementation of the Coumadin Clinic.
• Manages schedule for patient testing of PT/INR.
• Performs tests.
• Records results on flow sheet and in lab system.
• Notifies physician when intervention is required.
• Educates patient on safe use of Coumadin (warfarin).
• Coordinates information with all physicians and staff as required.
• Assists physician with exam and special procedures.
• Makes, receives and handles medically related phone calls as directed by physicians (RX's, hospital admissions, patients, and other physicians).
• Keeps clinic area clean and manages necessary supplies.
• Assists physician in preparing charge tickets, document fees, procedure codes, diagnosis codes and other items as necessary.
• Counsels and reassures apprehensive patients, assisting them with all Clinic routines.
• Performs a variety of medically related tasks as directed by the physician and particularly to his specialization.
• Assists receptionist in scheduling appointments as needed.
• Make sure that all exam and special procedure rooms have biohazard and non-biohazard containers.
• Assures that all sharps are disposed of in a Sharp Container.
• Educates patients in self-administration of medication, when appropriate.
• Schedules CT scans, MRI test, thyroid test, EEGs and mammograms.
• Follows Clinic policies for infection control in handling and disposing of infectious/hazardous waste materials.
• Ensures that patient chart entries are made accurately and in a timely manner; forwards charts as appropriate.
• Notifies patients of test results; schedules follow-up appointments as appropriate.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Responds to a "CODE BLUE."
• Screens pharmaceutical representatives.
• Performs other task as assigned.
• May require starting IV's, doing IV pushes.
• May require mixing medications such as cytotoxic drugs.
• May require drawing blood and administer drug screens.
• Observes records and reports patient's condition and reaction to drugs and treatments to physicians.
• Dispenses medication as directed.
• Educates patient/family about diagnosis procedures, medications, nutrition, and maintenance of health and wellness.
• Ensures appointment preferences are given to patients in emergency situations.
• Greets patients and prepares them for physician examination.
• Screens patients for appropriation information.
• Instructs patient in collection of samples and tests.
• May require pulling and filing charts

Requirements

• Louisiana State Practical Nursing (LPN) license.
• Previous medical office experience preferred but not required.
• EMR experience preferred.
• Office setting.
• Frequent telephone call and other interruptions, which requires being able to handle a fast-paced work environment during entire time at work.
• Must be able to prioritize multiple projects.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality and exercise professionalism when interacting with staff, managers, supervisors, physicians, external customers, etc.
• Requires standing, sitting, frequent walking, bending, and stooping.
• May require lifting 25-50 pounds.
• Exposure to possible hazardous materials/conditions and infectious diseases.

Skills

• Language Skills - The ability to communicate effectively with others in the healthcare team.
• Understanding of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and treatment assessments to the extent required to understand and accurately transcribe dictated reports.
• Translate medical abbreviations into their expanded forms.
• Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to learn and use all functions of electronic medical record software. Must accurately enter data into a database, search for information, send and receive email and attachments.
• Skills in applying and modifying the principles, methods, and techniques of professional nursing to provide ongoing patient care.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in written and verbal form, answer frequent telephone calls.
• Must be able to work as a team player.
• Must be able to