VASCULAR ACCESS SPECIALIST RN - VASCULAR ACCESS - PRN VARIES (63449)

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Nurse

Practice autonomously to assess and recognize patients who would benefit from a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or Mid Line), particularly early in their treatment plan. Assess patients for appropriate PICC/Mid Line placement; perform insertion, care, maintenance, education, and quality improvement initiatives while instilling evidence based care. Educate nurses and medical staff on benefits of peripherally inserted central lines and promote utilization. Monitor staff performance improvement measures for IV changes and IV dressing changes, assist with difficult peripheral IV insertions, assist with IV infusion therapy and assist with other vascular access needs as indicated. Evaluate staff competency and provide staff education.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Exhibits competency in the placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs and Mid Lines) and other vascular access devices (VAD).

2. Provides age-appropriate and population specific patient care in a safe, skillful, accurate and efficient manner to adult and geriatric populations. Supports patient's rights and responsibilities, including respect of cultural, ethical and religious diversity.

3. Identifies patients who would be candidates for a PICC/Mid Line, or other long term VAD, by rounding on Nursing units, collaborating with Pharmacy and utilizing other identification tools.

4. Collaborates with physicians to obtain orders for PICCs/Mid Lines early in patients' treatment plan, for appropriate patient diagnosis, medication regimen and/or other patient condition. Provides physician education and consultative service.

5. Monitors the care and maintenance of PICCs/Mid Lines to improve patient outcomes, assist with dressing changes, performs de-clotting procedures, troubleshoots complications, and provides bedside education as needed. Assists the staff in monitoring the need for dressing changes and peripheral IV changes.

6. Assesses patient and family learning needs and provides teaching to patients and families regarding care and maintenance of PICCs/Mid Lines and other IV therapy as indicated.

7. Works interdisciplinary to arrange and implement outpatient services such as outpatient PICC/Mid Line insertions, dressing changes, lab draws, de-clotting, IV infusions, and other IV therapy needs.

8. Serves as resource person for accessing and de-access port-a-caths and central lines. Assists staff with difficult peripheral IV insertions.

9. Completes documentation accurately and in timely manner, according to hospital policies and procedures. Works with Revenue Systems and IS to assure proper patient charges and documentation.

10. Enters data for record keeping of PICC/Mid Line insertions and line maintenance. Maintains and evaluates performance improvement indicators.

11. Assures policies and procedures related to vascular access and IV therapy are appropriate and updated as needed, monitors staff for compliance, and provides education accordingly.

12. Engages in activities to expand and/or enhance the professional nursing role, which includes the integration of research and evidence based practice. Maintains and improves own knowledge level and competency related to vascular access with seminars, webinars, magazines, and books.

13. Provides leadership and autonomy in the professional practice setting and the profession.

14. Facilitates routine meetings or correspondence with other PICC/Mid Line nurses and provides education and updates. Identifies issues and/or resource and educational needs, plan interventions, and evaluates effectiveness.

15. Participates in IV therapy product evaluation and implementation. Evaluates all new PICC/Mid Line products introduced to the hospital and trains staff on usage. Is involved in committees and councils as directed.

Education Requirements and Other Requirements:

Education Level: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. BSN preferred.

Certification/Licensure: Current licensure with the State of Illinois. BLS certification required within 30 days of hire. ACLS certification preferred.

Experience Requirements: Minimum of three (3) years experience in hospital setting. Attendance at a PICC/Mid Line educational course that consists of anatomy, physiology, care and maintenance, pharmacology, patient education, patient selection, emergency and non-emergency complication management, sterile insertion technique, quality assurance management and data collection. This course must have a theoretical component and a hands-on practicum with supervision for a minimum of 3-5 successful insertions.