Primary Location:

Address:

Shift:

Job Description Summary:

Job Description:

The Vascular Access Nurse Specialist serves as the subject matter expert in appropriate peripheral access and peripherally inserted central line access. The Vascular Access Nurse Specialist assists in developing vascular access and IV therapy policies and protocols based on current national standards of practice. This position is responsible for the insertion of peripherally inserted central and peripheral access using ultrasound technology while maintaining current infection prevention practices related to vascular access. The Vascular Access Nurse Specialist is responsible for evaluating catheter appropriateness monitoring infusion related outcomes and catheter necessity. The Vascular Access Nurse Specialist assists with educating clinical nurses members of the healthcare team patients and families as needed and serves as a resource both in-house and in the community for vascular access care and maintenance. The team member may also serve as educator and mentor/preceptor for various students and nurse residents.

Essential Functions:
Conducts systematic and comprehensive assessments of patients vascular needs from encounter to discharge across the care continuum to ensure patient safety collaborating with the healthcare team patient and collaboration with patient and family identifies and prioritizes patient problems based on subjective and objective assessment data patient safety considerations patient and family goals and preferences and nursing interventions and the plan of care.
Independently administers vascular access procedures utilizing ultrasound per licensure authority assesses and reassesses the patient and documents interventions in a timely manner per policies procedures and regulatory requirements. Consistently adheres to patient safety guidelines regarding all aspects of vascular access administration.
In collaboration with patient and family identifies and prioritizes patient problems based on subjective and objective assessment data patient safety considerations patient and family goals and preferences and nursing interventions and the plan of care.
Implements nursing care interventions to meet patient and family center health care needs. Demonstrates competent skills appropriate clinical judgments and chain of command to promote patient safety and reach planned care goals and outcomes.
Evaluates care by performing regular and systematic reviews of patient /family responses to interventions; revises the interdisciplinary plan of care in collaboration with other care team members to promote desired outcomes. Recognizes care variances and takes steps to prevent or intervene with potential or real adverse events to promote safe care.
Serves as an advocate for the patient and family demonstrates respect for their rights responsibilities and sensitivity to their preferences. Prepares the patient and family for discharge; obtains feedback to promote positive patient satisfaction outcomes.
Serves as subject matter expert for Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV catheter insertion and education.
Serves as a subject matter expert in peripheral vascular access needs and infusion standards (INS guidelines).
Shift Requirements:
Shift Length (in hours): 12 hours
# Shifts/Week: 3
Overtime Required: Infrequently Sometimes Often n/a (exempt position)

Other Functions:
Maintain compliance with all company policies procedures and standards of conduct.
Independently prioritizes tasks based on need.
Proactively uses safety surveillance to prevent adverse outcomes.
Incorporates data from the interdisciplinary care team into the plan of care to assure continuity and appropriate patient teaching.
Incorporates antibiotic stewardship in care activities as appropriate.
Demonstrates competent skills appropriate clinical judgments and chain of command to promote patient safety and improve outcomes.
Competently and consistently assesses conducts and evaluates the outcomes of patient and family teaching from admission or episode of care to discharge. Teaching reflects sensitivity to age learning needs and cultural background.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description:

Education:
Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited school of nursing (required)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) (preferred)

Experience:
Three to five (3-5) years as a Registered Nurse in acute care facility with demonstrated knowledge and experience of concepts of intravenous therapy including optimal vein use vein preservation and difficult access placement (required)
Experience with assessment for and placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) and use of ultrasound technology for vein identification and line placement (preferred)
Licensure:
Active Kentucky Registered Nurse License or compact license with privileges to work in Kentucky (required)
Certification:
Basic Life Support (BLS) accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA)(required)
Current certification or eligibility to obtain Certified Registered Nurse Infusionist (CRNI) or Vascular Access Board Certified (VA-BC) designation (preferred)
Job Competency:
Knowledge Skills and Abilities critical to this role:
Human Anatomy and physiology Knowledge of human anatomy including tissues cells and function; specialized knowledge of central and peripheral venous anatomical structures
Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of customer service and assessment meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction
Education and Training Knowledge of education and training design teaching and instruction for individuals and groups and the measurement of training effects
Service Orientation responsive informs constituents of process pleasant to work with educates and provides timely accurate information
Monitoring Monitoring and assesses individual and team performance; continuous use of outcome data to improve patient care delivery
Problem Sensitivity Ability to sense when something is wrong or is about to have unintended consequences.
Independently prioritizes tasks based on current needs of the patients and departments
Demonstrates competent skills appropriate clinical judgments and chain of command to promote patient safety and improve outcomes

Language Ability:
Must be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to break down problems or tasks; scanning ones own knowledge and experience to identify causes and consequences of events; using logic and reasoning to identify solutions; compare alternative solutions and analyze strengths and benefits of alternative solutions
Deductive Reasoning Apply general rules to problems and produce answers
Inductive Reasoning Combine information to form general rules or conclusions
Computer Skills:
Demonstrated computer management skills
Considerable knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office
Must have the capacity to learn other relevant systems and databases as needed
Electronic Medical Record documentation

Additional Responsibilities:
Demonstrates a commitment to service organization values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times.
Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times.
Adheres to organizational and department specific safety standards and guidelines.
Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members.
Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians patients residents visitors staff and the broader health care community.

UofL Health Core Expectation:
At UofL Health we expect all our employees to live the values of honesty integrity and compassion and demonstrate these values in their interactions with others and as they deliver excellent patient care by:
Honoring and caring for the dignity of all persons in mind body and spirit
Ensuring the highest quality of care for those we serve
Working together as a team to achieve our goals
Improving continuously by listening and asking for and responding to feedback
Seeking new and better ways to meet the needs of those we serve
Using our resources wisely
Understanding how each of our roles contributes to the success of UofL Health
Work Environment/Job Activities:
How often does the job require exposure to or completion of the following
Activities HIGH
> 60% MODERATE
31 60% LIGHT
0 30% NONE
0%
Local Travel 0
0
1
0
National Travel 0
0
1
0
Loud Noises 0
0
0
0
Working at heights above 4 ft. 0
1
0
0
Working in confined spaces 0
1
0
0
Risk of injuries from equipment on the job 0
1
0
0
Temperature extremes 0
0
1
0
Hazardous chemicals and fumes including waste 0
0
1
0
Radiation 0
0
1
0
Burns 0
0
1
0
Cuts/Punctures 1
0
0
0
Bloodborne/airborne pathogens 1
0
0
0
Combative/violent people 0
0
1
0
Please specify other(s) and amount of exposure (i.e. High moderate or light)

Physical Requirements:
How often does the job require completion or use of the following

Activities HIGH
> 60% MODERATE
31 60% LIGHT
0 30% NONE
0%
Sitting for example at computer workstation for extended periods of time 0
1
0
0
Standing 1
0
0
0
Bending 0
1
0
0
Walking 1
0
0
0
Operating machinery 1
0
0
0
Dexterity 1
0
0
0
Vision 1
0
0
0
Hearing 1
0
0
0
Repetitive Motions 0
1
0
0
Lifting pushing and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs. 1
0
0
0
Lifting pushing and/or pulling objects over 50lbs. 1
0
0
0
Standing or walking with objects up to 10 lbs. 1
0
0
0
Standing or walking with objects over 10 lbs. 1
0
0
0
Equipment
Computer 1
0
0
0
Telephone 1
0
0
0
FAX 0
1
0
0
Scanner 0
1
0
0
Copier 1
0
0
0
Other physical activity or equipment usage if moderate or high (please explain): Transport and use of ultrasound cart weighing equal to or greater than 50 pounds is required in and in route to vascular access procedures.

Acknowledgement:
This job description is designed to list the essential functions competencies requirements and activities of the job all of which may change at any time with or without notice. I have read and received a copy of this job description.

Employee Name Employee Signature Date