Vascular Access Nurse

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago•Chicago, IL

5d•$40 - $66•Onsite

About The Position

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report. General Summary: This professional provides the service of vascular access and care to all inpatients in need of establishing access for intravenous (IV) therapy. This professional starts peripheral IVs, including long PIVs, extended dwell catheters, and bedside midline catheter placement, provides dressing care for central and peripheral venous access lines, performs arterial blood draws when appropriate, and trains other professionals in vascular access skills. This professional is proficient in the use of ultrasound guidance for placement of difficult venous access lines. This professional participates in monitoring and data compilation for vascular access information. Understands and integrates into the delivery of patient care the needs of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients in regard to their growth and development process. Actively supports the Hospital and department’s quality goals and service excellence principles.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing. A minimum of two years of experience in patient care.
Current license as a registered nurse in the state of Illinois. Current CPR/PALS certification.
Demonstrated proficiency in venipuncture, aseptic technique and I.V. starting technique.
Demonstrated proficiency using transilluminators and infusion pumps.
Skilled in communication, critical thinking and problem-solving.
Demonstrated approachability, flexibility, effectiveness in stressful/urgent/emergent situations.
Demonstrated professionalism as a clinical resource, coach and role model.
Ability to teach and facilitate learning in others.
Proficient in the use of PC and basic word processing skills.
Obtains Vascular Access Board Certification (VA-BC) within two years of being on the team.

Responsibilities

Coordinates and consults with the patient’s nurse and Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) to determine the purpose for the service, the type of device, the type of fluids/medications to be infused and the duration of the device need to assure appropriateness of the device.
Coordinates vascular access with phlebotomy needs for the patient.
Takes age-appropriate measures to minimize pain and anxiety (e.g. topical anesthetics, deep breathing, and distraction) during patient’s vascular access experience.
Labels and handles all phlebotomy specimens according to Lurie Children’s policy.
Performs repair of central venous access lines as needed per Lurie Children’s Policy.
Coordinates and performs central venous access site assessment and dressing changes according to the applicable Lurie Children’s policies.
Acts as consultation provider for complicated central line associated skin injuries (CASI)
Coordinates and consults with the patient’s nurse and LIP
Serves as the clinical resource and expert for vascular access, central or peripheral, throughout the hospital.
Assesses the patient’s venous system and therapy indications and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to determine the most appropriate type of venous access, while considering length of therapy, vessel preservation, type of medication, and needs of the patient.
Assesses requests and prioritizes service calls according to the patients’ clinical status and the purpose for the service need.
Acts as a patient advocate by collaborating with the patient’s LIP to identify the appropriate vascular access device for the patient based on the anticipated use of the device and length of time the device will be in use.
Communicates to the patient’s care providers any findings that may be relevant based upon nursing assessment of the patient’s clinical or psychosocial status.
Acts as a patient advocate in the assessment of pain prevention, pain control and diversional techniques for use during vascular access or dressing changes
Documents all vascular access services provided on the patient’s medical record including consultative services, patient/parent teaching, and placement of a vascular access device, pain assessment and site checks.
Acts as a preceptor and teacher for nursing and medical staff regarding aspects of vascular access and aseptic technique skills.
Assists in policy and procedure review for all relevant policies
Assists in product evaluations and decision-making for vascular access devices, dressings and related equipment.
Collects and compiles daily data to provide records of vascular access team activities and service requests.
Contributes to hospital quality assurance and improvement activities and participates in research activities as needed.
Assures the necessary service coverage by reviewing and coordinating with fellow team members for staffing
Participates in the design and production of worksheets, data collection tools, and teaching products.
Meets regularly with immediate leadership member to review service line and improvement opportunities.
Provides teaching on vascular access, aseptic technique, site & dressing care and assessment and venous access skills to nurses and physicians.
Participates in central line rounding in the ICU settings, as well as acts as a unit liaison to a specific unit as their vascular access specialist.
Participates in orientation of nurses and physicians regarding the above vascular access skills.
Provides teaching to patients and families on monitoring their vascular access site and dressing change techniques.
Assists in identification of professional learning needs and educational program design for vascular access topics for professional staff.
Acts as a community resource to external customers.
Checks physician orders, verifies patient’s identity using two identifiers prior to any procedure.
Assesses patient for allergy history (including latex) or site restriction prior to vascular access procedure.
Recognizes and takes appropriate action to treat adverse reaction to vascular access experience (e.g. fainting).
Uses all related equipment according to manufacturer recommendations.
Interviews/discusses the patient’s past experience and parental/significant family member’s knowledge of preferred methods to decrease anxiety and pain during the patient’s vascular access experience.
Engages parent/significant family member to comfort and encourage the patient during the vascular access experience.
Takes age-appropriate measures to minimize pain (e.g. topical/injectable anesthetics, deep breathing, etc.) and anxiety during the patient’s vascular access experience.
Others duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance
Employer paid group term life and disability
Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
403(b) with a 5% employer match
Various voluntary benefits:
Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
Tuition assistance
Student loan servicing and support
Adoption benefits
Backup Childcare and Eldercare
Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
Discount purchasing program