LPN Communicable Disease

Department: Clinical Practice LPN/ Communicable Disease

Position: Licensed Practical Nurse

Employee Category: Non-Exempt

Reporting Relationship: Practice Supervisor

Character First qualities:

• Dependability- Fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice.
• Discretion- Recognizing and avoiding words, actions, and attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences.
• Initiative- Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it.
• Responsibility- Knowing and doing what is expected of me.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Clinical Practice/ Communicable Disease Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) represents Variety Care's communicable disease department focusing on clinic patient care needs which includes but not limited to HIV and Hepatitis populations. The LPN is assigned as the point of contact for patients and providers as a liaison for patients in need of HIV and Viral Hepatitis Services. Job duties consist of planning and managing patient care according to each patient's needs. Interviews patients and records their medical history and physical condition. Obtains patient vital signs, including pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and respiration. Provides routine care for patients in coordination with provider. Conducts patient care coordination around HIV/Hepatitis testing, prophylaxis, and treatment as well as administrative duties to include referrals, prior authorization, scheduling, immunizations, patient education, rapid testing, and case management coordination.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Communicates well with patients and providers by taking a health history and arranging to follow up for treatment and health maintenance.
2. Welcomes all patients. Escorts patient to the appropriate location for pre-examination information gathering. Escort patients to the front of the clinic after the appointment is completed.
3. Accurately measures and records information: height, weight, respiration, pulse, blood pressure, temperature, SpO2, and head circumference as appropriate. Records all measurements and information gathered in patients' electronic medical records (EMR).
4. Addresses patient and provider concerns by being available by phone and email and arranging appropriate follow-up for patient needs.
5. Regarding patients who test positive for HIV, providers will call patients with HIV positive results and disclose results to LPN. LPN then calls the patient to follow up regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and to arrange treatment under the supervision of the Medical Director.
6. Administers medications, injections, & vaccines. Including vaccines and medications only housed at Sequoyah under the Provider's direction and documents accordingly.
7. Prepares and restocks supplies in examination rooms daily and for subsequent patients.
8. Assists provider in patient's physical exams and procedures as directed.
9. Disposes of contaminated items according to VARIETY CARE policy.
10. Follows "Universal Precautions" for safety regulations, uses personal protective equipment (PPE) as a task on hand requires.
11. Follows HIPAA guidelines and VARIETY CARE policy and procedures as it relates to privacy.
12. Arranges for referrals outside VARIETY CARE, as requested by the provider. Advises patients accordingly. Answers questions regarding the referral.
13. Assists with medical emergencies as directed by the provider.
14. Supports the plan of care and patient education in line with the provider's recommendations.
15. Performs other duties as assigned.
16. Reviews all referrals for HIV and Viral Hepatitis Services and then schedules patients into the clinic using nursing and clinical judgement of patient acuity and appropriateness of referral.
17. Explains referral process and procedure to patients.
18. Documents all referral processing steps throughout multiple stages.
19. Follows proper procedures to assure pending referrals are complete.
20. Communicates with patients and care teams of appointment information.
21. Receives and processes specialty referral orders from Variety Care providers using electronic medical record system (EPIC), ensuring timely coordination of specialty care for Variety Care patients.
22. Conducts Rapid HIV testing and counseling as needed. Links patient to care as appropriate.
23. Conducts Rapid Hepatitis C testing and counseling as needed. Links patient to care as appropriate.
24. Conducts other testing (if available) including Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia testing and counseling as needed. Links patient to care as appropriate.
25. Maintains sample closet. This includes inventory of sample medications and purchased emergency medications. Notify the director when inventory is low. Make sure all medications are up to date.
26. Maintains the HIV and Viral Hepatitis fax line as well as private phone line.
27. Follows up and maintains ROI incoming and outgoing for the HIV and Viral Hepatitis department due to urgent sensitive nature of the requests.
28. Coordinates the HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) training with new and or exiting Variety Care providers.
29. Be available to staff if they have questions on HIV and Viral Hepatitis services line including syphilis.
30. Assists in the coordinating care for patients that are relocating, loss of insurance, or have changed their insurance. To help prevent patients from falling out of care.
31. Completes and maintains prior authorizations for specialty medications based on insurance preference.
32. Supports Variety Care's accreditation as a Patient-Centered Medical Home and our commitment to provide care to all Variety patients that is Safe, Effective, Patient-Centered, Timely, Efficient, and Equitable. Provide leadership and work with all staff to achieve the goals of the "Triple Aim" of healthcare reform-to improve the experience of care, improve health outcomes, and decrease healthcare costs.
33. Embodies the strength of personal character. Places value on being an open and honest communicator who displays high moral and ethical conduct, integrity, adaptability, and sound judgment. Must be a leader in the department and community. Result-oriented problem solver who is responsible and accountable.

Requirements, Special Skills or Knowledge:

1. Active LPN license in the state of Oklahoma.
2. Five years of clinical work experience.
3. Demonstrates the ability to obtain and record accurate information in electronic medical records software.
4. Basic computer skills including data entry and typing.
5. Demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the RN Care Manager and/ or Clinical Trainer, an ability to administer medications and injections.
6. Experience using instrumentation used in lab point of care testing, as directed.
7. Experience maintaining confidentiality with information.
8. Experience working in a multi-faceted, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills or Knowledge:

1. Bilingual (English/Spanish).
2. Completion of CTR training offered by OSDH.
3. ACLPN - AIDS certified licensed practical nurse.

Immunization state training.