Vascular Access Specialist - Full Time - Shift - Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred - (Weekends Only)

Kern Medical • Bakersfield, CA

6d • $50 - $78 • Onsite

About The Position

Vascular Access Specialist - Full Time - Shift - Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred - (Weekends Only) Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year. Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as: New Hire Premium : +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan. A Comprehensive Benefits Package : includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Compensation The estimated hourly pay for this position is $49.9126 to $77.7622 . The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan. Definition: Under direction, the Vascular Access Nurse Specialist is responsible for the comprehensive management of vascular access devices throughout Kern Medical. This role encompasses the authority and accountability for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of these devices. Serving as a clinical expert and mentor, the specialist reinforces core standards of care, ensuring the highest quality of patient outcomes. Distinguishing Characteristics: The Vascular Access Nurse Specialist is a highly specialized role, providing expert clinical support across multiple patient populations at Kern Medical. This position is distinct from general nursing roles, as it focuses on the specialized care of patients requiring vascular access. The specialist is responsible for managing the vascular access service, including the collaborating on the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and educational programs. This role also involves conducting audits, consulting on complex cases, educating and ensuring adherence to best practices and regulatory standards. The Vascular Access Nurse Specialist operates under the guidance of the Chief Nursing Officer or their Clinical Director, with an emphasis on advancing patient care through specialized knowledge and leadership.

Requirements

• Must possess a valid and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the State of California.
• Graduation from an accredited nursing program with either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
• Two (2) years of nursing experience is required preferably within an acute care hospital.
• Proven experience in managing and implementing specialized nursing techniques related to vascular access is strongly preferred.
• Possession and maintenance of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.
• If not currently certified, the appointee must successfully obtain BLS and ACLS certification within 60 days of employment.
• Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical Center.
• Knowledge of: Comprehensive understanding of modern nursing practices, particularly in the specialized care of vascular access devices; Medical terminology, familiar with hospital routines Skilled in the use of relevant medical equipment.
• Demonstrated expertise in nursing education, including the development and implementation of standardized procedures in accordance with Board of Registered Nursing regulations.
• Ability to: Effectively advise, motivate, and provide clinical direction to nursing and medical staff; Communicate professionally, both orally and in writing; Interact with diverse teams and patients; Work independently with minimal supervision while also thriving in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Design and implement new or revised nursing techniques to meet the evolving needs of patients.
• If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.
• If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Board Certification in Vascular Access is preferred, with a requirement to obtain certification within 19 months of hire.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred

Responsibilities

• Conducts thorough consultations to determine the most appropriate vascular access devices for patients.
• Skillfully places and maintains vascular access devices, ensuring proper function and patient safety.
• Provides clear and comprehensive education to patients and their families regarding the care and maintenance of vascular access devices, ensuring understanding and compliance.
• Develops and delivers ongoing educational programs for nursing and ancillary staff to maintain current standards of practice for vascular access.
• Ensures adherence to hospital protocols.
• Collaborates with management in the creation, revision, and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidelines related to vascular access.
• Regularly audits vascular access practices across all nursing floors to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of vascular access products and equipment by meeting with manufacturers and evaluating new advancements.
• Proactively manages the inventory of department supplies to ensure the availability of necessary resources.
• Works with multidisciplinary teams to ensure that vascular access care meets current standards and regulatory requirements.
• Supports the Director of Quality and Clinical Directors in evaluating practice performance against Joint Commission, Federal, State, and Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice.
• Serves as a consultant and advisor on complex cases involving vascular access, providing expert guidance to healthcare teams.
• Monitors and reports documentation errors related to vascular access devices, ensuring compliance with hospital policies and procedures.
• Trains, orients, and mentors new and existing staff, fostering professional development and ensuring high standards of care.
• Recommends and implements changes to vascular access practices to continuously improve patient outcomes.
• Fosters collaborative relationships with patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers through effective and timely communication.
• Ensures the privacy and confidentiality of patient information in all communications and practices.
• Adheres to hospital policies, industry standards, and applicable laws and regulations to promote an optimal patient experience.
• Keeps abreast of trends and advances in Vascular Access Nursing, integrating new knowledge into practice.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support the overall mission and goals of the vascular access service and Kern Medical.

Benefits

• New Hire Premium : +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package : includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• Compensation The estimated hourly pay for this position is $49.9126 to $77.7622 . The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree