RN, Vascular Access

Dover, DE, United States

Kent Campus Hospital

STATUS: Full Time 72 Hours

SHIFT: Days

General Summary:

The RN, Vascular Access Specialist is a registered nurse who has a BSN or MSN level preparation in nursing. This position provides expertise in the selection, placement, and management of vascular access devices. The RN, Vascular Access Specialist acts as a resource for education and policy development relative to vascular access. Promotes a culture supportive of the delivery of quality patient care.

Responsibilities:

1. Utilizes national practice standards, including the Infusion Nurses' Society Standards of Practice, as well as the CDC's Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular-Catheter-Related Infections, to insert central catheters (PICCs) at the bedside. Measurement of success would be zero PICC infections attributed to insertion techniques.

2. Provides various support services for the healthcare team, including but not limited to: performing PICC/Midline Insertions, IV Starts, IV rotations, Accessing and De-Accessing implanted ports, and various other clinical interventions. Provides vascular access consultations. Measurement based on productivity targets.

3. Acts as a resource for policy development relative to Vascular Access. Documents vascular access procedures and relative communication in the electronic medical record.

4. Participates in Performance Improvement activities by conducting compliance audits throughout Bayhealth at established intervals.

5. Creates a culture of inquiry and teamwork. Educates patients, families, and other healthcare team members regarding vascular access and best practice.

6. Mentors nursing students and staff through orientation, clinically-focused education, and validation of competency.

7. Updates statistical / productivity data daily.

8. Participates in research activities relative to vascular access.

9. Participates in the Code Blue/Trauma team whenever possible by assuring adequate vascular access.

10. Demonstrates the ability to collect relevant patient healthcare data. a. Prioritizes data collection activities as indicated by the patient's immediate condition. b. Collects data using appropriate assessment techniques and instruments. c. Appropriately documents collected data. d. Collects data using a systematic and on-going process.

11. Demonstrates ability to analyze the data in determining patient needs. a. Assesses data to determine patient needs. b. Interacts with the patient, family and other members of the healthcare team. c. Prioritizes and documents in a manner that facilitates determining expected outcomes and developing a plan of care. d. Documents patient needs in the clinical record.

12. Demonstrates the ability to identify individualized, expected outcomes for the patient. a. Outcomes are derived from patient needs. b. Outcomes are mutually formulated with the patient, family, and other health care providers, as appropriate. c. Outcomes are realistic, individualized, culturally appropriate, and age-specific. d. Outcomes are measurable and include a time element for attainment, if possible. e. Outcomes provide direction for continuity of care. f. Outcomes are documented in the clinical record.

13. Demonstrates ability to develop a plan of care that prescribes specific interventions to attain expected outcomes. a. The plan of care is individualized by the RN to reflect the patient/family needs. b. The plan of care is developed by the RN collaboratively with the healthcare team and patient/family. c. The plan of care reflects current acute care nursing practice. d. The plan of care provides for continuity of care. e. The RN establishes the priorities of care. f. The plan of care is part of the clinical record.

14. Demonstrates the ability to implement interventions identified in the Plan of Care. a. Administer patient care interventions in a manner that minimizes complications and/or life-threatening situations. b. Encourages the patient and family to participate in implementing the plan of care, based on their ability to participate and make decisions. c. Documents interventions in the clinical record.

15. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate the patient's progress toward attaining expected outcomes. a. Evaluation is systematic, on-going and criterion-based. b. The appropriate members of the healthcare team (pt/family/others, etc) are involved in the evaluation process, as indicated. c. Evaluation of patient outcomes occurs within an appropriate time frame after initiation of interventions. d. On-going assessment data are used by the RN to revise the patient needs. e. Revisions in outcomes, and the plan of care are documented. f. Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions in relation to outcomes. g. Documents patient's response to interventions.

16. Demonstrates the ability to systematically evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice. a. Participates in performance improvement activities. b. Uses the result performance improvement activities to initiate change in nursing practice, as appropriate.

17. Demonstrates the ability to reflect knowledge of current professional practice standards, laws and regulations. a. Evaluates his/her own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards, relevant statutes and regulations. b. Engages in an annual self-assessment, identifying areas of strength and areas requiring professional development. c. Seeks and reflects on constructive feedback from other members of the healthcare team. d. Takes action to achieve performance goals.

18. Demonstrates ability to acquire and maintain current knowledge and competency in nursing care. a. Participates in ongoing educational activities to acquire and validate knowledge. b. Seeks experiences that reflect current clinical competencies and new clinical information

19. Demonstrates the ability to interact with and contributes to the professional development of peers and other healthcare providers. a. Shares knowledge, skills, and experiences with colleagues and others. b. Provides colleagues and peers with constructive feedback regarding their practice. c. Contributes to a learning environment that is conducive to healthcare education. d. Contributes to a team environment by working with others in a way that promotes and encourages each person's contribution.

20. Demonstrates the ability to participate in decision making and takes action based on ethical principles. a. Nursing practice is guided by the ANA Code for Nurses and ethical principles. b. The RN acts as a patient advocate and assists others in developing advocacy skills. c. The RN delivers care in a non-judgmental and nondiscriminatory manner which is sensitive to patient diversity. d. The RN delivers care such that the patient's autonomy, dignity and rights are preserved.

21. Demonstrates the ability to collaborate with the patient family and other healthcare providers to provide patient care in a caring environment. a. Communicates with the healthcare team regarding the patient's care. b. Works collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team to formulate the plan of care and deliver services. c. Consults with other healthcare providers and initiates referrals as appropriate to promote continuity of care.

22. Demonstrates the ability to incorporate current concepts in clinical research utilization into his/her practice. a. Continually questions and evaluates practice and uses best available evidence to develop an appropriate plan of care. b. Participates in committees and teams to support revisions in clinical practice.

23. Demonstrates the ability to consider factors related to safety, effectiveness and cost in planning and delivering patient care. a. Evaluates factors related to safety, effectiveness, comparability, availability and cost when choosing between 2 or more options. b. Assists the patient and family to identify and secure appropriate and available services to address healthcare needs. c. Assigns or delegates aspects of care utilizing critical thinking to determine the appropriateness of delegating the task, in accordance with the DE State Nurse Practice Act. d. Assigns or delegates aspects of care based upon the assessed needs and conditions of the patient, the potential for harm, the stability of the patient's condition, and the competencies of the healthcare provider.

Required Education, Credential(s) and Experience:

Education: Bachelor Degree Nursing; Must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program/university

Credential(s): Registered Nurse; PICC within 3 months of hire if not already obtained; Basic Life Support;

CRNI within 24 months of hire, if not already obtained

• Experience: Three (3) years clinical RN experience in acute healthcare. Must demonstrate competency and accuracy in the placement of peripheral IV catheters.

Preferred Education, Credential(s) and Experience: Education: Master Degree Nursing

Credential(s): Certified Registered Nurse Infusion; Type II Refrigerant Recovery Certification; PICC Line Certification; Certification related to the position, if applicable.

Experience: Previous experience as a Vascular Access nurse

To view a full list of all open position at Bayhealth, please visit:

https://apply.bayhealth.org/join/