Registered Nurse - Peripheral Access (Day Shift, Full-Time)

The Peripheral Access Nurse Specialist provides direct patient care as the expert resource for establishing and maintaining optimum venous access. The Peripheral Access Nurse Specialist evaluates patients for, and places peripheral intravenous catheters, ultrasound-guided peripheral IVs (PIVs), midlines, and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) in current patient populations. The peripheral access nurse will also provide education to patients, families, medical and nursing staff in the care of peripheral and central lines.

Responsibilities

• The peripheral access nurse assesses patients with difficult access or need for long term IV therapy for appropriate peripheral access device.
• Works with staff, nurses, physicians, case managers and other team members to insure early assessment for VAD selection and implementation
• Participates in education with Peripheral Access education with patient, family members and staff and serves as a subject matter expert.
• Within the order of the provider, places appropriate intravenous devices with or without the use of ultrasound device.
• Reviews medical records to ensure there are no contraindications of peripheral peripheral access.
• Determines the best peripheral access device for the patient based on medications, current access status, diagnoses, length of IV therapy.
• Trouble shoots difficult complications of peripheral access devices (VADs).
• Declots VADs or assists staff as a resource.
• Places difficult peripheral IVs to ensure patient care is uninterrupted.
• The Peripheral Access nurse performs independent nursing interventions related to infusion therapy and peripheral access using appropriate clinical reasoning, nursing judgment and critical decision making.
• Identifies advanced IV educational opportunities for staff.
• Participate in organized education program, competency assessment, and documentation process for all infusion therapy and peripheral access activities, skills, and procedures required in one's practice setting.
• Utilizes opportunities to teach and mentor other nursing and ancillary personnel.
• Includes the patient and others involved in the care in the evaluation process.
• Role models pro-active problem solving by collaborating with staff to ensure effective resolution of identified issues.
• Utilizes chain of command for unresolved or escalating issues and advocates for patients and staff to provide for safe delivery of care and/or a safe environment of care.
• Actively participates and supports quality assurance and improvement programs, especially central line associated blood stream infection prevention.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of concepts, practices and policies with the ability to use them in complex varied situations.
• Ability to demonstrate effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to contribute to initiatives and processes while supporting a collaborative and respectful team environment and improving workflows.
• Proficiency with MS Office (including Word, Excel and Outlook) and proficiency with electronic health records with the ability to manage clinical/administrative data.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize workload to meet deadlines
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to exercise independent judgment.

EDUCATION:

• BSN required from an accredited nursing program

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum three (3) years critical care nursing experience OR 5 years of acute care experience (required)
• Peripheral Access placement experience (required)

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• Current Texas BON (or Compact State) RN license Upon Hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification Upon Hire
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardioperipheral Life Support (ACLS) within 120 Days
• Venous Access-Board Certified (or VA-BC) within 1 Year