IV INFUSIONIST

About the role

Perform IV Infusions daily as per MD protocol. Acquire insurance authorizations for office, hospital, and home health infusions. Schedules all IV infusions, orders medical supplies. Obtains meds from specialty pharmacies to perform IV infusions per scribing MD protocol. Monitor patient vitals before, during and after infusion. Monitor for any side effects and contact prescribing MD for further orders. Maintain daily IV log and bills procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending education workshops; reviews professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Affirms quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
• Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
• Maintains continuity among clinical teams by documenting and communicating actions, and irregularities.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
• Identifies patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients, and other persons in a position to understand care requirements.
• Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
• Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals; teaching patient/family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills; answering questions.
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations, calling for assistance from health care support personnel.
• Solves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies; using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Responsible for receiving patient IV orders.
• Contacts the patient’s insurance company to obtain authorization for procedure and delivery of medication.
• Contacts patient to schedule infusion treatments.
• Responsible for verifying identity of patient upon arrival.
• Explains procedure to patient including any side effects they may experience with IV medication.
• Obtains patient vitals, prepares Rx, and hangs and primes administration set.
• Prepares a sterile field for infusion site introduction of cannula or closed catheter.
• Secures cannula or closed catheter with adhesive of choice.
• Adjusts drip rate as per order.
• Maintains patient throughout entire infusion.
• Achieves patient relaxation and comfort.
• Adjusts drip rate or contact ordering physicians if necessary.
• Keeps a chart on the patient which includes the size of the catheter, site, any complications during the procedure, and start and finish time.
• Records the lot number and expiration date of medication every visit.
• Removes catheter or cannula and applies a pressure patch and adhesive upon completion of therapy.
• Performs post procedure vitals.
• Reviews possible side effects the patient may expect.
• Schedules patient for next infusion.
• Advises patient to call with any questions or side effects upon discharge.

Qualifications/Experience

• High School Diploma, GED or next level of higher education.
• Successful completion of Medical Assistant program or experience as a Medical Assistant for one (1) year OR Certified EMT/Paramedic under the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
• Continuing Education in Intravenous Therapy.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Competencies and Experience Required

• Essential – Absolute Necessity.
• Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
• Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
• Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
• Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
• Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.