Nurse Practitioner (Vascular Access Team- Downtown)

Advanced Practice Provider (APP) for Vascular Access Team

The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) for the Vascular Access Team serves as a clinical expert in vascular access device selection, insertion, management, and stewardship across the health system. The APP provides consultation services for hospitalized patients requiring vascular access, performs advanced vascular access procedures, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, and leads quality and patient safety initiatives aimed at reducing catheter-related complications, including central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).

As a member of an academic medical center, the APP participates in education, research, and system-wide initiatives that promote evidence-based vascular access practices and improve patient outcomes.

Essential Functions

Clinical Practice

• Provide comprehensive vascular access consultations for adult hospitalized patients.
• Assess patients and determine the most appropriate vascular access device based on clinical indication, anticipated duration of therapy, vessel preservation, and patient-specific factors.
• Manage complex cases involving difficult venous access and device-related complications.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, pharmacists, and interdisciplinary teams to optimize vascular access plans.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and provide recommendations for high-risk patients requiring vascular access management.

Procedural Responsibilities

• Perform insertion, maintenance, and management of:
• Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs)
• Midline catheters
• Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheters
• Non-tunneled central venous catheters (as credentialed)
• Additional responsibilities include:
• Utilizing ultrasound guidance and sterile technique for all procedures.
• Evaluating and managing complications, including thrombosis, infection, malfunction, and device failure.
• Performing bedside assessments to determine line necessity and optimize device selection.
• Promoting appropriate device utilization and vascular access stewardship.

Quality and Patient Safety

• Lead initiatives to reduce CLABSI rates and other catheter-related complications.
• Monitor vascular access quality metrics and provide performance feedback to clinical teams.
• Participate in infection prevention, patient safety, and quality improvement committees.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and maintenance of vascular access policies, procedures, and evidence-based guidelines.
• Conduct audits to ensure compliance with insertion and maintenance standards.

Education

• Provide education and competency training to APPs, physicians, nurses, residents, students, and other clinical staff.
• Develop educational materials and resources related to vascular access best practices.
• Participate in orientation and onboarding of new vascular access team members.
• Serve as a clinical resource for difficult vascular access cases throughout the health system.

Research and Scholarship

• Participate in clinical research, evidence-based practice initiatives, and scholarly activities related to vascular access and infection prevention.
• Support publication efforts and dissemination of findings.
• Present quality improvement and research outcomes at institutional, regional, and national meetings.
• Promote academic and professional development within the APP practice.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert in vascular access stewardship.
• Participate in system-wide committees and strategic initiatives related to vascular access and patient safety.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership, physician leaders, infection prevention, and quality departments.
• Evaluate emerging vascular access technologies and products.
• Support operational planning, program development, and continuous performance improvement initiatives.

Key Performance Metrics

• Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates.
• Catheter utilization ratio.
• First-attempt insertion success rates.
• Procedural complication rates.
• Device dwell time optimization.
• Patient satisfaction and experience metrics.
• Staff education and competency completion rates.
• Outcomes of quality improvement initiatives.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform bedside procedures requiring fine motor skills and manual dexterity.

Frequent standing, walking, lifting, and patient positioning.

Ability to respond promptly to urgent patient care needs throughout the hospital.

Ability to safely maneuver portable ultrasound and vascular access equipment as needed.

Work Experience

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program.

Licensure and Certification

Nurse Practitioners

• Current state licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
• National certification as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification preferred.

Physician Assistants

• Current state licensure as a Physician Assistant.
• Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Experience

• Minimum of two years of advanced practice experience in critical care, hospital medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, vascular access, or a related acute care specialty.
• Demonstrated proficiency in ultrasound-guided vascular access procedures.
• Experience performing or managing central venous access procedures preferred.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams and participating in quality improvement initiatives preferred.

All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

University of Maryland Medical Center