Description
Join St. Francis–Emory Healthcare, a 376-bed community-connected hospital in Columbus, GA, that blends cutting-edge care with hometown purpose. As part of the ScionHealth network, St. Francis has been recognized and awarded multiple high-performing honors by U.S. News & World Report, and received multiple disease-specific certifications from the Joint Commission, and was a rated Top Large Hospital in Georgia. St. Francis also delivers advanced heart, orthopedic, and women’s care services. At St. Francis, you will experience a culture of excellence where your work directly shapes the health of our community.
Job Summary
The RN Coordinator/Specialist – Orthopedics is responsible for coordinating patient care and clinical operations across orthopedic inpatient and/or outpatient settings. This role ensures the delivery of evidence-based, safe, and effective care for patients undergoing orthopedic procedures, including joint replacement, fracture management, and spinal surgery. The RN Coordinator/Specialist serves as a clinical resource, supports multidisciplinary care planning, and contributes to performance improvement and regulatory compliance efforts.
Essential Functions
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Coordinate patient care delivery in the orthopedic unit and serve as a liaison between patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams.
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Assist with pre-operative education and discharge planning for orthopedic surgical patients.
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Conduct patient rounds to ensure timely interventions, identify complications, and promote recovery.
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Support pain management, mobility planning, and therapy coordination for post-operative patients.
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Serve as a clinical resource for orthopedic nursing staff and promote adherence to care protocols.
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Facilitate communication among providers, physical/occupational therapy, case management, and ancillary staff.
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Participate in performance improvement projects related to patient safety, outcomes, and orthopedic best practices.
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Provide education to staff, patients, and families on orthopedic procedures, rehabilitation, and self-care.
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Ensure accurate documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) and compliance with regulatory standards.
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Support onboarding and mentoring of orthopedic nursing staff.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations
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Proficient in orthopedic care protocols and recovery pathways.
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Strong critical thinking, assessment, and problem-solving skills.
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Skilled in interdisciplinary collaboration and patient education.
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Proficient in EMR systems and Microsoft Office applications.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic care setting.
Qualifications
Education
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Postsecondary (Cert/Diploma/Program Grad) from an accredited school of nursing (Required) And
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Bachelor’s Degree in nursing (Preferred) And
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Master’s Degree in nursing, healthcare management or administration (Preferred)
Licenses/Certifications
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RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in state of practice Upon Hire (Required) And
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BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire (Required) And
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CN-ORTHO - Certified Orthopedic RN Upon Hire (Preferred)
Experience
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2+ years nursing experience in orthopedic, surgical, or inpatient acute care setting (Required) And
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Prior Experience in patient care coordination, quality improvement, or clinical education (Preferred)
