Licensed Practical Nurse - Orthopedic Surgery

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 28,929 - 44,083; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days and holidays

Health insurance packages

Metro transit U-Pass

403(b) retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to support both administrative and clinical duties in the department. The role involves liaising with physicians, patient care tasks, documenting in Epic, preparing exam rooms, taking vital signs, EKGs, phlebotomy, and administering medications under physician orders.

40 hours per week; MO or IL LPN license within 3 months; BLS within 1 month. Benefits include health insurance, vacation, 403(b), and tuition assistance.

Qualifications

• P.N. - Diploma in Practical Nursing; valid LPN license in MO or IL within 3 months of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 1 month of hire.
• No formal work experience required; 1 year preferred in clinical/hospital settings.

Responsibilities

• Liaise between physicians and patients; field calls; coordinate outpatient/inpatient care.
• Administer medications under physician orders; perform EKGs and phlebotomy.
• Document in EMR/Epic; update schedules and patient education materials.
• Assist in exams, vital signs, and post‑operative instructions; monitor patient status.
• Support day‑to‑day clinic administration and care plans; ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Clinical Care

Emergency First Aid

Epic EHR

General Nursing

HIPAA Compliance

Vital Signs

Phlebotomy

EKGs

Communication

Education

LPN diploma

Tools

Epic EHR

Job description

Position Summary

Functions as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the department. Roles may be strictly administrative, strictly clinical, or a combination of both. Administrative LPNs act as liaison between physicians and patients, field phone calls, refer physicians, provide clinical justification for insurance reimbursements, communicate lab results and patient education, and document patient information in Epic. Clinical LPNs prepare and maintain exam rooms, conduct vital signs, EKGs, phlebotomy, and administer medications, vaccines, and allergy shots under physician orders, and provide nursing care under supervision.

Scheduled Hours

40 hours per week.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Acts as liaison between physicians and patients, fielding phone calls, following up with patients, referring physicians and support staff, providing clinical justification for insurance reimbursement, answering questions, scheduling outpatient office visits, and communicating lab results.
• Schedules tests and procedures; coordinates schedules with inpatient and outpatient nursing staff, patients, and physicians. Completes necessary paperwork accurately and thoroughly. Makes appropriate phone calls and coordinates those involved in successfully providing outpatient as well as inpatient care.
• Explains pre‑ and postoperative instructions to patients and calls patients with test results.
• Assists physician in outpatient office setting and supports physician follow‑up plan during office hours.
• Aids in updating and data entry in electronic medical records.
• Promptly alerts physicians of abnormal test results.
• Assists in assessment, monitoring, and termination of prescribed tests.
• Observes, monitors, and responds appropriately to changes in patient treatments.
• Participates in development, implementation, and evaluation of patient care plans with the patient care team.
• Answers phone, screens and routes calls providing information in accordance with Division policy.
• Provides assistance in day‑to‑day administration of physician practices.
• Arranges and coordinates meetings as requested.
• May be asked to help cover in the absence of other supportive staff.
• Maintains a physician clinical and administrative schedule.
• Occasional clinic work with direct patient care may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Patient Care Duties

• Interacts directly with patients in the clinical office and performs tasks such as obtaining vital signs, completing EKGs, phlebotomy, and CLIA‑waived tests (e.g., HgbA1C, pregnancy tests).
• Documents appropriately and accurately in EMR.
• Prepares exam rooms for office hours by ensuring cleanliness and adequate stocking.
• Assists with examinations, procedures, and lab tests; observes, monitors, and responds to treatment changes.
• Reviews patient data and communicates pertinent information to supervisors in a timely manner.
• Administers medications as prescribed within state and facility guidelines and performs CPR when required.
• May be asked to help cover in the absence of other supportive staff.
• Monitors supply inventory, ensuring adequate supplies, equipment, and garments are available and meet regulations.
• Cleans and stocks exam rooms, provider areas, and other clinical spaces; sterilizes equipment as required.
• Performs quality controls for point‑of‑care testing in compliance with CLIA, WUSM, and EH&S recommendations and guidelines.
• Monitors and records temperatures for all clinical refrigerators in compliance with VFC and departmental guidelines.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Exposure to blood‑borne pathogens.
• Requires protective devices.
• Patient care setting.
• Direct patient care setting.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping.
• Occasional lifting (25 lbs. or less).

Equipment

• Office equipment.
• Clinical/diagnostic equipment.

Education & Licensure

P.N. - Diploma in Practical Nursing. Must hold a valid Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in Missouri or Illinois, obtained within 3 months of hire.

Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association; BLS – American Red Cross. Must be obtained within one month of hire.
• Licensed Practical Nurse – Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
• Licensed Practical Nurse – Missouri Division of Professional Registration.

Work Experience

No specific work experience required; recent clinical or hospital experience (1 year) preferred.

Skills

• Clinical Care, Emergency First Aid, Epic EHR, General Nursing, HIPAA Compliance, Human Physiology, Interactive Communication, Medical Care, Medical Terminology, Medical Testing, Organizational Processes, Performing EKGs, Professional Etiquette, Vital Signs

Driver's License

A driver’s license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

• Current LPN licensure in Missouri and/or Illinois, or to be obtained within 3 months of hire.
• Basic Life Support certification obtained within one month of hire (online certifications lacking a skills assessment component are not sufficient).

Preferred Qualifications

No additional education or certifications required unless stated elsewhere in the posting.

Grade

C08‑H

Salary Range

$21.33 – $31.98 per hour.

Benefits

Personal:

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U‑Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) retirement savings plan with employee and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness:

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, dietitians.

Family:

• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child; additional family care resources available.
• WashU covers tuition for the employee and family, including dependent undergraduate tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years.

For detailed benefits and eligibility: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to equal employment opportunity. The University’s policy is to provide equal opportunity and access to all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.