VASCULAR ACCESS SPECIALIST RN - VASCULAR ACCESS - PT VARIES

ANDERSON HOSPITAL•Maryville, IL

1d•$30 - $54•Onsite

About The Position

The Vascular Access Specialist RN practices autonomously to identify patients who may benefit from PICC or Mid Line placement early in their treatment plan. The role assesses patients for appropriate placement and performs insertion, care, maintenance, patient and staff education, and quality improvement activities using evidence-based practice. The specialist promotes appropriate use of peripherally inserted central lines, supports IV therapy, assists with difficult peripheral IV insertions, and addresses other vascular access needs as indicated. The position provides care to adult and geriatric patients, collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary teams, and serves as a resource for staff on vascular access and IV therapy. It also supports outpatient IV services, maintains accurate documentation and insertion records, monitors performance indicators and policy compliance, and participates in product evaluation, staff training, and professional development activities.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
Current licensure with the State of Illinois.
BLS certification required within 30 days of hire.
At least three years of experience in a hospital setting.
Completion of a PICC/Mid Line educational course covering anatomy, physiology, care and maintenance, pharmacology, patient education and selection, emergency and non-emergency complication management, sterile insertion technique, quality assurance management, and data collection.
The PICC/Mid Line course must include theoretical instruction and a supervised hands-on practicum with a minimum of 3–5 successful insertions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
ACLS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate competency in placement of PICCs, Mid Lines, and other vascular access devices.
Provide safe, skillful, accurate, efficient, age-appropriate, and population-specific care to adult and geriatric patients while respecting patient rights and cultural, ethical, and religious diversity.
Identify patients who may be candidates for a PICC, Mid Line, or other long-term vascular access device by rounding on nursing units, collaborating with Pharmacy, and using other identification tools.
Collaborate with physicians to obtain orders for appropriate PICC or Mid Line placement early in treatment; provide physician education and consultation.
Monitor PICC and Mid Line care and maintenance, assist with dressing changes, perform de-clotting procedures, troubleshoot complications, and provide bedside education.
Assist staff in monitoring the need for dressing changes and peripheral IV changes.
Assess patient and family learning needs and teach them about PICC and Mid Line care and maintenance and other IV therapy as indicated.
Coordinate and implement outpatient services, including PICC or Mid Line insertions, dressing changes, lab draws, de-clotting, IV infusions, and other IV therapy.
Serve as a resource for accessing and de-accessing port-a-caths and central lines, and assist staff with difficult peripheral IV insertions.
Complete documentation accurately and promptly according to hospital policies and procedures; work with Revenue Systems and IS to support proper patient charges and documentation.
Record PICC and Mid Line insertions and line maintenance data, and maintain and evaluate performance improvement indicators.
Ensure vascular access and IV therapy policies and procedures are appropriate and updated as needed; monitor staff compliance and provide education.
Enhance professional nursing practice through research and evidence-based care, and maintain vascular access knowledge and competency through professional learning.
Provide leadership and autonomy in professional practice.
Facilitate meetings or correspondence with other PICC and Mid Line nurses; identify issues and education or resource needs, plan interventions, and evaluate effectiveness.
Participate in IV therapy product evaluation and implementation; evaluate new PICC and Mid Line products, train staff on their use, and participate in committees and councils as directed.