Registered Nurse-Vascular Access

Under the general direction of nursing leadership, the Registered Nurse provides optimal patient care utilizing knowledge and skills within the context of evidence based nursing practice and the theory of human caring. The Registered Nurse is accountable for individualized patient care and outcomes over an entire episode of care.  

The Registered Nurse assesses patients for best vascular access options and collaboratively develops the best plan of care for the patient and family.

The Registered Nurse must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care based on physical, motor/sensor, psychosocial, and safety appropriate to the age of the patient served and meets standards of quality as measured by the unit/department age specific competency standards.

The Registered Nurse will identify patients who may be candidates for vascular access devices (VAD).

Places Peripherally Inserted Central and Midline Catheters. May support and assist staff with difficult peripheral intravenous catheters. Will be proficient in the use of ultrasound guidance and other technologic advancements to gain vascular access.

Assists with vascular access troubleshooting and malfunctioning as needed.

Documents all aspects of care appropriately.

Rounds on patient’s with VADs in place.

Serves as a facilitator of learning for patients, family and colleagues. When possible, the family or those significant to the family are considered as part of the assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation efforts of the Registered Nurse. The Registered Nurse coordinates care between other professionals.

Evidence based nursing practice, along with critical thinking skills are required to provide optimally safe patient care when interacting with internal and external contacts and exercising judgment and making decisions.  Professional nursing practice is congruent with the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics.

In addition, the Registered Nurse will complete a minimum of four PICC insertions per month, pass both written and clinical maintenance of PICC lines, and will communicate with Quality Management and Infection Control to better serve and care for PICC line customers.

Reviews policies and procedures related to VAD insertion care and maintenance.

1. Knowledge and experience in IV starts in all age groups including use of central lines and Groshong catheters for drug infusion and maintenance.
2. Working knowledge of hospital and department computer systems.
3. Knowledge of all routine nursing care tasks for VADs line including: dressing changes, tubing/injection cap change, flushing, blood withdrawal procedures.
4. Knowledge of possible complications associated with VADs and recommended methods to manage those complications.
5. Knowledge of indications, contraindications and precautions for VAD insertion.
6. Ability to provide appropriate documentation related to placement of VAD lines.

Bibliography:

1. Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements, American Nurses Association Publication
2. Magnet Recognition Progress, Recognizing Excellence in Nursing Service - Healthcare Organization Instruction and Application Process Manual, American Nurses Association
3. Barnes H, Rearden J, McHugh MD. Magnet hospital recognition linked to lower central-line associated blood stream infection rates. Res Nurs Health. 2016
4. Nurse Practice Act, Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 632, NAC, Chapter 632. Nevada State Board of Nursing.
5. Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, American Nurses Association Publication.

This position does provide patient care.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Name

Description

Education:

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing and speaking English

Experience:

Minimum of two years in an acute care hospital setting is preferred. ICU/Emergency Room experience preferred. 

License(s):

Ability to obtain and maintain a State of Nevada Registered Nurse license.  

Certification(s):

Candidate is required to be BLS certified by American Heart Association standards. Candidate will qualify for PICC placement, care and maintenance certification, recognized by Renown Health within 60 days of employment. 

Computer / Typing:

Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computers skills necessary to complete online learning requirements for job-specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.