Vascular Access Nurse Specialist I
Position Summary
Apply nursing skills by rendering direct patient care to patients of all ages and by supervising patient care activities within the Medical Imaging Department. Maintain the continuity of patient care on all interventional procedures. Primary responsibility for PICC and Mid- Line intravenous therapy services throughout the hospital, including identification of appropriate candidates, insertions, troubleshooting, protocol development, data collection and analysis of quality and costs. Serves as a consultant working directly with nursing staff to identify, educate, and promote best practice in IV therapy. Oversees successful PICC program through collaboration with nursing departments and ordering physician
Highlights & Benefits
Required Skills
- Develops and updates best-practice protocols for identification of appropriate patients for PICC and/or Mid-Line intravenous therapy.
- Oversees implementation of IV therapy protocols on the nursing units.
- Provides de-clotting and troubleshooting assistance for existing PICCs and/or Mid-Line catheters.
- Educates nursing staff on indications, patient care and troubleshooting.
- Provides ongoing consultative support to nursing service areas.
- Mentors other therapists in skill development.
- Scans daily admission census for PICC candidates. Screens patients for therapy and contacts physicians for orders as needed.
- Maintains quality monitoring for PICC therapy services.
- Provides reports to Director and Nursing Leadership on utilization, quality, and costs bi-annually.
- Collaborates with physicians and/or other health care professionals in developing relationships, clinical practice policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines and age specific strategies.
- Consistently demonstrates competence in implementation of patient care in accordance with established clinical standards of care, age specific policies, and federal/state law.
- Maintains competence by participating in appropriate training and education sessions, and reviewing literature pertinent to area of expertise.
- Assist the Radiologists and technologists with the performance of angiographic and interventional studies as necessary.
Required Experience
Education:
· BSN preferred.
Licensure/Certification/Registry:
· Registered Nurse licensed to practice in the State of Illinois.
Experience:
· Minimum of 2 years nursing experience. Critical care or Emergency Department experience preferred.
· Maintain BLS CPR certification; ACLS required within 6 months of employment.
Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
· Successful completion of MHS PICC training and ability to successfully demonstrate competencies related to PICC training within the first 90 days of employment.
· Basic computer software skills in MS Word and Excel.
· Must possess excellent human relations and communication skills.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills.
· Excellent interpersonal skills.
· Must be able to work without direct supervision.
