LVN/LPN - Liver Acquisition - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Union)

Escorts patients to exam rooms, obtains and appropriately records patient vital signs/medication list, monitors patient flow, assists physicians with minor clinical procedures, performs EKGs, prepares patient chart with pertinent medical information, administers medication as directed by physician. Schedules diagnostic tests ordered by the physician as needed. Performs various administrative duties, including answering phone patient calls, returning phone calls, receiving and sorting in-coming faxes, obtaining prior authorizations. Ensures patient's right to privacy, safety, and confidentiality is maintained. Maintains a safe environment in accordance with standards, policies, and safety regulations. Ensures compliance with infection control policies. Other duties as assigned.

Under the direction of the RN Transplant Coordinator, the clinical transplant LVN assists in the assessment, data collection, and management of the transplant candidate and transplant recipient The clinical transplant LVN assists other personnel to ensure high quality delivery of patient care and services to this patient population. Will participate in transplant clinics in conjunction with the physicians and transplant coordinators. Prepares charts for clinics, anticipating MD orders, follow up on labs and diagnostic studies in advance, and seeing patients in clinic in conjunction with the MD/ provider. Follow up on medications ordered, diagnostic studies, and therapeutic procedures related and track results timely following each patient encounter. Maintains records in OTTR accordingly. Works closely with Coordinator to tightly manage Awaiting Review and Pending Actions lists daily. Works with Coordinator to ensure patients are presented to transplant selection committee as appropriate. Communicates patient's admit orders to intake team and discharge needs to discharge planner at Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Hospital and/or inpatient coordinator. Attends transplant selection committee and other multi-disciplinary conferences as needed. Monitors compliance of protocols. Acts as a liaison between patient and multiple medical/surgical disciplines involved in the care of these patients; communicates plan of care with referring physicians as appropriate. Works to maintain and establish new relationships with referring physician office staff.

Essential Duties:

• Maintains communication with transplant coordinators, patient, family, medical staff, referring physicians, financials counselors, transplant case managers, insurance companies and other health care providers.
• Under the supervision and direction of the transplant coordinator will assist in the coordinating care of the patient in transplant evaluation, candidate awaiting transplant, and post transplant recipient. Demonstrates knowledge of the care provided the patients with end stage liver or kidney failure, and the postoperative liver or kidney transplant recipient.
• Orders studies as directed by transplant surgeon, or physician or and obtains results. Will recognize abnormal and significant changes and communicates results of tests or procedures to the transplant coordinator or M.D.
• Monitors and tracks the patient who needs studies done, facilitating the studies getting done in a timely manner at either the transplant center or outside facility by updating and keeping abreast of the candidate's appointments. Elicits help from transplant team as required.
• Provides accurate and timely data entry regarding test results, and documents any patient issues or status changes such as demographics, insurance carrier, primary care physician, dialysis unit, or hepatologist/nephrologist.
• Communicates with patient, referring physician, medical plan, transplant team members and other necessary health care providers by phone, mail fax in a timely manner and documents all correspondence. Communicates the listing status to the patient, dialysis unit, referring physician, PCP or medical group.
• Will participate in clinics by preparing charts, following up on labs and diagnostic studies in advance; ensuring the chart has updated progress notes dictations, etc. Will see patients in clinic as necessary in conjunction with the transplant coordinator and M.D.
• Utilizes assessment data to identify and state obvious changes and deviations from normal testing and results, identifies psychosocial issues and problems and notifies transplant coordinator or team. Notifies transplant team of candidate's noncompliance, or of changes in the candidate's medical or social condition, and provides and maintains comprehensive documentation of the candidate's progress.
• Assists in orienting the patient to the transplant process, discusses with the patient the transplant process and provides teaching materials. Documents patient understanding of the transplant process.
• Attends and participates in specific department meetings and other multi-disciplinary conferences. Communicates the listing status to the patient, dialysis unit, referring physician, PCP or medical group, and assists in the transition of the patient back to the referring MD as directed and per protocol.
• Ordering and providing MELD labs to transplant coordinator per protocol for liver transplant candidates.
• Working with dialysis units and immunology lab to ensure that a candidate serum is available for necessary screening tests and crossmatch for kidney transplant candidates.
• Initiates waitlist candidate clinic follow-up visits and studies per protocol to maintain listing status.
• Orders medication and refills thru pharmacy. Follows up on medications ordered and communicates medication changes with patient. Maintains patients active medication list in transplant data base.
• Work with transplant coordinators to transfer care as patient acuity changes and able to assist transplant coordinator with hospital admissions, scheduling IV infusions, and outpatient procedures.
• Maintains records in transplant database. Able to work on awaiting review lists and pending actions, and send and receive actions to facilitate timely patient care in transplant database.
• Adheres to established transplant protocols, and hospital policies including but not limited to dress code, punctuality and attendance.
• Functions independently within clinical skills and established processes for patient flow.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Req High school or equivalent
• Req Specialized/technical training Graduate from an accredited Vocational Nursing Program

• Req 3 years Three years of clinical experience in an acute care or ambulatory care setting is preferred.

• Req Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
• Req Demonstrate excellent customer service behavior.
• Req Demonstrates ability to effectively work with physicians, staff, and patients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pref Experience caring for transplant patients preferred.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Licensed Vocational Nurse - LVN (CA DCA)
• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

The hourly rate range for this position is $26.39 - $44.88. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.