Orthopedic Licensed Practical Nurse

Responsibilities

• This role supports patient care administration, executes administrative and clinical procedures, provides day-to-day staff, logistical, and administrative assistance to a medical practice and/or clinic.
• Responsibilities include but are not limited to triage and scheduling; call screening and referral; providing clerical, word processing, and staff support; assisting with clinical and/or laboratory procedures, as required.
• The role keeps injured-worker cases moving by securing authorizations, sending required reports, and closing communication loops with carriers and case managers.
• Clinical Care Room patients, obtain vital signs, pain scores, medication lists, and chief complaint, and prepare them for provider evaluation.
• Administer medications and injections as ordered, within Florida LPN scope and practice policy.
• Assist providers with in-office procedures, including joint injections, aspirations, splinting, and casting.
• Perform wound care, dressing changes, and suture or staple removal as ordered.
• Provide patient education on medications, home care, and post-procedure instructions as directed by the provider.
• Handle patient phone calls and portal messages within LPN scope, routing clinical decisions to providers.
• Process prescription refill requests per provider orders and practice protocol.
• Workers' Compensation Authorization & Follow-Up Confirm claim details for each W/C patient before the visit: claim number, date of injury, accepted body parts, carrier, adjuster, and nurse case manager.
• Request and track authorization from carriers for office visits, diagnostics, injections, therapy, DME, referrals, and surgery; document reference numbers, approved services, and expiration dates.
• Make sure the Florida DWC-25 (Uniform Medical Treatment/Status Reporting Form) is completed by the provider after each visit and sent to the carrier within required timeframes.
• Send office notes, work status and restrictions, and treatment plans to adjusters and case managers after each visit.
• Follow up on pending authorizations on a set schedule and escalate delays or denials to the provider and practice leadership.
• Coordinate with nurse case managers on appointments, return-to-work status, and treatment plan questions.
• Track key milestones such as maximum medical improvement (MMI), impairment ratings, and case closure, and alert the provider when action is needed.
• Maintain a W/C case tracker showing each patient's authorization status, next visit, and open items.
• Work with billing to resolve W/C claim rejections tied to authorization or documentation.
• Compliance & Other Duties Maintain an active Florida LPN license (or compact license) and current BLS.
• Perform only tasks within LPN scope and under appropriate direction.
• Follow infection-control, sharps, and medication storage policies, including temperature logs and expiration checks.
• Report errors, near misses, and compliance concerns to the Compliance Officer/Practice Administrator promptly.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties

Protect patient information under HIPAA and practice privacy policies; share only the minimum necessary. Follow practice SOPs and complete required annual training, including HIPAA, OSHA, compliance, and fraud, waste, and abuse.