As-Needed Vascular Access Registered Nurse

Provides vascular access, care, maintenance and evaluation of vascular access sites and vascular access devices for specific patients.

Education

Associate Degree from an accredited School of Nursing required

Experience

Three years experience as a Registered Nurse with demonstrated competence in placement of peripheral IV catheters.

Skills

• High level skills in critical thinking and assessment related to vascular access device selection

• Analytical skills appropriate to resolve complex patient care problems and prepare comprehensive plans of care.
• Ability to work independently
• Willingness to learn new techniques including the usage of Modified Seldinger Technique with a wire and scalpel and portable ultrasound
• Excellent communication and teaching skills
• High level clinical communication skills with physicians and other clinical staff
• Willingness to maintain and improve knowledge level related to vascular access with seminars, magazines, books

Licensures, Certifications

• PICC insertion, care and maintenance competency initially and annually thereafter.
• Current Maryland Registered Nurse license.
• Current Healthcare Provider BLS certification from an affiliated American Heart Association training site
• Additional Certifications (i.e. ALS, PALS, NRP) are required upon hire for specialty areas

 Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess patients with regard to vascular access need based on diagnosis, medication regime, medical history and length of stay.
• Recognizes abnormal conditions or potential problems and takes appropriate action and notifies appropriate personnel.
• Implements provider’s orders according to needs and established nursing policies and procedures. Contact physicians for medical orders to discuss placement of a mid- to long-term VAD.
• Performs IV starts, phlebotomy associated with IV starts and placements of extended dwell catheters proficiently.
• Place peripherally inserted central lines
• Troubleshoot difficult complications of VAD’s or assist staff in troubleshooting
• Declot VAD’s or assist staff as a resource in declotting
• Place difficult peripheral catheters
• Provide patient teaching regarding PICC line care and maintenance
• Available as a resource for accessing and/or de-accessing implanted ports
• Maintains detailed medical records pertaining to the patient care rendered.
• Documents procedures, outcomes and complications appropriately.
• Evaluates patient response to care provided and informs health care team of changes in condition.
• As needed, provides 1:1 education of staff with regard to all aspects of vascular access assessment, insertion, care and maintenance.  Follows up with unit manager if there is repeated lack of response from specific staff.
• Participate in quality assurance programs/audits to promote efficient and quality patient care.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to utilize the equipment necessary to perform IV access successfully

Working Conditions

• Normal patient care environment with possible exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature.
• Exposure to adverse working conditions due to performance of patient care activities

Conditions of Employment

Maintain current and valid licensure and certification

All roles must demonstrate GBMC Values

GBMC Values

Value Description

Respect

I will treat everyone with courtesy. I will foster a healing environment.

• Treats others with fairness, kindness, and respect for personal dignity and privacy
• Listens and responds appropriately to others’ needs, feelings, and capabilities

Excellence

I will strive for superior performance in every aspect of my work. I will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of others.

• Meets and/or exceeds customer expectations
• Actively pursues learning and self-development
• Pays attention to detail; follows through

Accountability

I will be professional in the way I act, look and speak. I will take ownership to solve problems.

• Sets a positive, professional example for others
• Takes ownership of problems and does what is needed to solve them
• Appropriately plans and utilizes required resources for various job duties
• Reports to work regularly and on time

Teamwork

I will be engaged and collaborative. I will keep people informed.

• Works coopera