LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)

Position Summary The Clinic Lab Nurse is responsible for performing point-of-care (POC) and CLIA-waived laboratory testing, specimen collection, processing, and coordination of send-out lab work to support our primary care providers. This nurse works under the supervision of the clinic's Medical Director and collaborates closely with providers, nursing staff, and front-office team to deliver timely, accurate lab results that drive patient care decisions. Key Responsibilities Laboratory Testing & Specimen Handling Perform CLIA-waived point-of-care testing in accordance with manufacturer instructions and our clinic's CLIA Certificate of Waiver, including: dipstick urinalysis, urine pregnancy tests, fingerstick blood glucose, HbA1c, rapid strep, rapid flu, rapid COVID-19, mononucleosis, fecal occult blood, INR, and rapid lipid panels Perform venipuncture and capillary blood draws on patients Collect, label, process, and prepare specimens for in-house testing or send-out to reference labs (e.g., LabCorp, Quest) Perform urine drug screens and urinalysis according to clinic protocols and chain-of-custody requirements when applicable Maintain accurate documentation of all lab activities in the EHR, including specimen tracking, results reporting, and provider notification of critical values Follow good laboratory practices for CLIA-waived testing sites as outlined by CMS and the CDC, including QC, temperature logs, reagent expiration tracking, and competency assessments Patient Care & Clinical Support Greet patients, explain lab procedures, verify orders, and obtain informed consent as appropriate Measure and record vital signs, height, weight, BMI, and chief complaint when supporting clinical flow Administer immunizations and injectable medications under provider order and within scope of licensure Provide patient education on specimen collection (e.g., clean-catch urine, fasting requirements) and on lab results follow-up as directed by the provider Support chronic disease management workflows for patients with diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and cholesterol/lipid disorders by ensuring labs are completed and resulted on schedule Participate in care coordination with specialists and reference labs Compliance, Quality & Safety Maintain strict patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164) and 42 CFR Part 2 for substance use disorder records Adhere to OSHA bloodborne pathogen and standard precautions, including PPE, sharps disposal, and biohazard waste handling Maintain CLIA compliance for all waived testing performed in the clinic Maintain personal nursing licensure, BLS certification, and required continuing education in good standing Report any safety concerns, near-misses, or specimen integrity issues to the Practice Manager promptly Complete annual HIPAA, bloodborne pathogen, and competency training Required Qualifications Current, unencumbered Tennessee LPN or RN license issued by the Tennessee Board of Nursing (T.C.A. § 63-7-101 et seq.), or a current multi-state Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) license valid in Tennessee High school diploma or equivalent (required by CLIA for personnel performing waived testing) Graduation from a Tennessee Board of Nursing-approved practical or registered nursing program Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification through AHA or American Red Cross (or willingness to obtain prior to start date) Demonstrated competency in venipuncture and capillary specimen collection Working knowledge of CLIA-waived testing requirements and good laboratory practices Working knowledge of HIPAA privacy and security requirements, including the minimum-necessary standard Strong attention to detail — especially regarding specimen labeling, documentation, and critical-value reporting Comfort with electronic health record (EHR) systems and basic computer skills Effective verbal and written communication; ability to explain procedures clearly and compassionately to patients of all ages and backgrounds Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 25 lbs, and perform fine motor tasks (venipuncture, pipetting) Preferred Qualifications 1+ years of clinical nursing experience in a primary care, family practice, or outpatient setting Phlebotomy certification (ASCP, NHA

CPT, NCCT

) — strongly preferred Prior experience operating point-of-care analyzers (HemoCue, Piccolo Xpress, Cholestech, i-STAT) Experience with rural or underserved patient populations Familiarity with reference lab interfaces (LabCorp Link, Quest Care360, etc.) Experience helping to set up a new clinic, lab workflow, or CLIA-waived testing site

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

Addiction Medicine Physical Setting:

Clinic Outpatient Work Location:

In person