LPN, Pre-Admission Testing

About Us: Founded in 2004 by local physicians, Animas Surgical Hospital has been an integral part of the Four Corners region for more than two decades. Our goal has never been to be the only hospital in Durango but to be the best option for surgery, diagnostic imaging, emergency care, occupational medicine, and internal medicine.

Our Mission: To provide innovative, exceptional healthcare that patients recommend, physicians prefer, and employees are proud of.  

Job Title: LPN, Pre-Admission Testing

Job Summary: The Pre-Admissions Testing (PAT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) supports the safe and efficient preparation of patients for surgical and procedural care. Working collaboratively with and under the direction of the Registered Nurse (RN), providers, anesthesia team, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, the PAT LPN facilitates completion of the pre-surgical health history, medication reconciliation, ordered pre-admission testing, patient education, and preparation of the medical record.

The PAT LPN reviews and collects relevant clinical information, identifies findings requiring further review, and communicates potential concerns to the appropriate RN, provider, or anesthesia team in accordance with established protocols, organizational policies, and the LPN scope of practice. The PAT LPN plays an important role in ensuring the patient's medical record is complete and available to the care team so that identified needs can be addressed prior to the scheduled procedure.

Reports To: Department Manager/Director

Hourly range: $24.00 to $39.89 (posted hourly range excludes overtime and bonuses which are not guaranteed)

Essential Job Functions:

• Conducts pre-admission patient interviews and collects relevant health information, including medical and surgical history, allergies, current medications, previous anesthesia experiences, and other information required for the planned procedure.
• Completes medication reconciliation and documents medications, dosages, frequency, and last dose taken in accordance with established procedures.
• Reviews available patient records and ensures required clinical information and documentation are entered into or available within the electronic health record (EHR).
• Reviews patient information using established PAT protocols, screening criteria, and checklists and escalates findings requiring additional clinical assessment or review to the RN, provider, anesthesia team, or other appropriate personnel.
• Recognizes and promptly communicates abnormal findings, incomplete testing, changes in patient condition, or other potential concerns that may impact readiness for surgery.
• Coordinates completion of pre-admission testing as ordered or indicated by established protocols, including laboratory testing, 12-lead EKGs, and other diagnostic testing within the LPN's scope of practice.
• Performs peripheral venipuncture, specimen collection, and peripheral IV initiation as needed and within demonstrated competency and organizational policy.
• Reviews available test results and communicates abnormal or unexpected findings to the appropriate RN, provider, anesthesia professional, or other designated clinical personnel according to established protocols.
• Facilitates referrals or additional review by anesthesia, the surgeon, primary care provider, or other clinical team members when indicated by established screening criteria or at the direction of the RN or provider.
• Provides patients and families with standardized preoperative education and instructions, including arrival information, medication instructions as directed by established protocols or providers, fasting requirements, preoperative skin preparation, transportation requirements, and other procedure-specific instructions.
• Reinforces patient education and verifies patient understanding of preoperative instructions, escalating questions or concerns outside the LPN's scope to the appropriate RN or provider.
• Communicates with surgeon offices, primary care offices, specialty providers, anesthesia personnel, pharmacies, laboratories, and other departments to obtain necessary records, testing, clearances, orders, and clinical information.
• Assists with identifying incomplete documentation, outstanding testing, or other barriers that may delay or impact the scheduled procedure and communicates these concerns to the appropriate team members in a timely manner.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete documentation of patient interactions, clinical information, testing, education, and communication within the EHR.
• Demonstrates appropriate application of age-specific standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines when caring for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and pediatric patients as applicable to organizational services.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and complies with HIPAA, organizational confidentiality policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Participates in departmental quality improvement activities, process improvement initiatives, staff education, and maintenance of PAT workflows and protocols.
• Maintains required competencies and demonstrates safe clinical practice within the LPN scope of practice and organizational policy.
• Collaborates effectively with RNs, providers, anesthesia personnel, surgical offices, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote safe, coordinated, and efficient surgical care.
• Performs other duties as assigned and appropriate to licensure, competency, and scope of practice.

Organizational Expectations

• Applies the principles and values of customer service and continuous quality improvement while performing day-to-day responsibilities.
• Maintains and protects confidentiality regarding all aspects of patient care, personnel, and strategic issues.
• Maintains positive working relationships and fosters a cooperative and respectful work environment.
• Displays honesty, professionalism, and mutual respect when communicating with patients, peers, providers, and other departments.
• Identifies and communicates problems that may compromise patient safety or effective job performance through the appropriate chain of command.

Additional Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrates the spirit of the philosophy, mission, and values of the hospital through words and actions and implements them into departmental processes, programs, and the working environment.  

Minimum Requirements

Education: Graduate of an accredited school of practical or vocational nursing.

Certification, Licensure: Current, unrestricted Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the state in which the hospital is located. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Additional certifications as required by organizational or departmental policy.

Experience: Previous LPN experience in pre-admission testing, perioperative services, surgical services, primary care, specialty clinic, or a related clinical setting preferred.

Experience obtaining comprehensive patient histories and performing medication reconciliation preferred. Knowledge of common medical terminology, medications, diagnostic testing, and preoperative processes preferred. Experience with electronic health records and clinical documentation preferred. Demonstrated ability to recognize clinical information requiring escalation and communicate effectively with RNs, providers, anesthesia personnel, and other members of the healthcare team.

Ability to prioritize multiple patients and tasks while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and timely follow-through.

Physical Requirements

This position requires lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to fifty (50) pounds while administering care to patients. Stooping, kneeling and/or crouching daily in delivery of patient care. Standing and walking for more than five (5) hours per day; running occasionally in responding to patient care emergencies.

Working Conditions/Environmental Exposures

Environmental hazards such as chemicals, solvents, needles, needle containers, sharps, blood, body fluids, various infectious/communicable diseases, infectious medical waste, radiation, and/or radioactive materials and/or radioactive waste, proximity to moving mechanical parts.  Protective clothing/equipment may be necessary.

Animas Health Immunizations and Vaccinations Requirements  

Aligns with CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Healthcare Personnel 

• Hepatitis B- Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Hepatitis B or three doses Hep B vaccine at appropriate intervals
• Influenza- documentation of current seasonal flu vaccine (mandatory from November 1st through March 31st each year)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella - Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella or 2 doses of MMR Vaccination
• Varicella (chickenpox) - Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Varicella or 2 doses of Varicella Vaccine
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) - documented proof of immunization
• Tuberculosis Screening - Documentation of a two-step TB skin test within the past year OR lab verification of a negative TB Gold or T-Spot tuberculin test within the past 6 months

*Vaccine records or evidence of immunity are required prior to 1^st day of scheduled work.

Animas Health is a drug free workplace and performs a pre-employment drug screen which includes marijuana.

We Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits

Employment with us provides competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth.

Eligible employees enjoy:

• Health, Vision and Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Education and Tuition benefits
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts
• Additional optional benefits

Where You Will Work: Click here to learn more about Durango, Co.

Salary : $24 - $40