Registered Nurse - Vascular Access

About the role

The Vascular Access Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. The nurse has advanced knowledge and skills in assessing, inserting, caring for, and managing vascular access devices, including peripheral intravenous catheters (PIV), midlines, and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC). They have the advanced knowledge to maintain Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD).

Responsibilities

• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age specific components.
• Coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines.
• Shares knowledge with peers to provide safe, quality nursing care.
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals.
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.

Requirements

Preferred Experience: Certified PICC RN with at least 2 years of PICC RN experience. Minimum of 2 years of experience in Medical Surgical nursing preferred. Experiencing placing ultrasound guided IV's. Advanced IV competency skilled in PICC, Midline, Peripheral IV placement. Must have current BLS and ACLS.

Recommended Certifications: Vascular Access Board Certified (VA-BC) and Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

  Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)

  Note: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

  Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13000818.

  Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. Utilizes Safe Patient handling equipment. The incumbent will be exposed to fluoroscopy and must be able to wear lead protective equipment for extended periods of time. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy. There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids.