Vascular Access Clinician

Overview

Ensuring the achievement of Northern Arizona Healthcare’s mission, the Vascular Access Clinician is accountable for the coordination of care for patients and their families including direct care, patient and family education and discharge planning. When providing care, Vascular Access Clinicians follow the process of assessing, diagnosing, outcome identification, planning, implementing and evaluation as the basis for the delivery of care. The Vascular Access Clinician provides leadership for ancillary personnel by being a team leader, serving as a preceptor, and being an active member of the health care team. The clinician performs this role within their scope of practice, Code of Ethics for Nurses or Registered Respiratory Therapists and the standards of his/ or her specialty.

Position incumbents may be designated to site-specific locations or to a system position which will travel between multiple locations, namely Verde Valley Medical Center campus locations and Flagstaff Medical Center campus locations based on system needs.

Responsibilities

Patient Care
* Assesses the needs and conditions of assigned patients by gathering relevant patient health information.

* Identifies outcomes, develops a plan of care individualized to the patient and/or situation, and implements the identified plan appropriate for the attainment of the expected outcomes.

* Assesses patient's progress toward the attainment of outcomes and effectively revises/updates diagnoses, outcomes and plans of care as appropriate.

* Contributes to patient experience by providing safe, high quality & patient centered care (as described above) and by respecting patients privacy, and treating all patients, family members, and guests, as well as other associates, with dignity, respect, and compassion.

* Reviews labs, patient history and physician orders to determine appropriate line to be utilized for the procedure and/or identify potential issues that may arise or preclude the patient from being a viable candidate or require alternate form of vascular access.

* Collaborates with physicians to determine appropriate long term access needs. Obtains patient's authorization to perform the procedure. Inserts peripheral venous and/or arterial catheters to provide access or more complex vascular access as indicated.

* Inserts and maintains all central lines (simple and complex) and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines according to department policy and procedures to include dressing changes, line reviews and declotting. Utilizes ultrasound technology to ensure accurate insertion of the PICC line. Reviews chest x-rays to ensure accurate placement of the central venous catheter or device. Maintains sterile field throughout the insertion process to ensure quality outcomes. Maintains accurate, timely and appropriate documentation.

* Maintains infection prevention standards.

* Acts as a resource to physicians and other healthcare practitioners regarding patient status, equipment, and operational issues. Participates in interdisciplinary rounding, making recommendations for changes in therapy dictated by the patient's condition.

* Assists as necessary with procedures and transportation throughout the hospital per hospital and departmental policies and procedures.

Education
* Participates in creating and sustaining a learning environment supported by evidenced based practice and research.

* Focuses on personal development areas, engaging in professional/collegial interactions with peers and students.

* Work collaboratively with peers and other health care providers, and participating in ongoing in-service and educational seminars.

* Participates in the mentoring and education of colleagues and students.

* Provides training, orientation and patient education to staff, patients and families, in accordance with policy and practice guidelines. Assists in the development of departmental policies and procedures based on best practice.

Compliance/Safety
* Adheres to regulatory and organizational standards affecting patient care and safety as well as all hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Practices in a safe and cost effective manner.

* Participates in ongoing monitoring of quality initiatives, department database, appropriateness and effectiveness of bundle compliance, acts as a change agent and participates in the development, interpretation, implementation and evaluation of quality goals/objectives and quality management activities within the clinical service lines. May coordinate oversight of quality and safety standards, regulatory and accreditation requirements, as well as applicable professional standards.

* Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employees area of responsibility.

* If required for position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.

* Completes all company mandatory modules and required job specific training in the specified time frame.

* Maintains timely and accurate documentation of assessments, interventions, EMR entries, and patient responses.

* Responsible for reporting any safety related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.

Qualifications

Education
RNs hired on or after 7/1/2016: Must graduate from a BSN program within 6 years from date of hire into an RN position, and Existing Staff RNs: RNs hired before 7/1/2016 are not mandated to have a BSN, but are encouraged to pursue a BSN degree;
OR
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Associate or Technical degree - Required

Certification & Licensures
Proof of good standing with National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Required;
OR
Active, unrestricted, Arizona RN License or valid, participating compact license - Required

BLS (American Heart Assoc.)- Required

ACLS- Required

NRP- Preferred

PALS- Preferred

Vascular Access Specialist VA-BC certification - Preferred

Employee will obtain and maintain appropriate clinical competencies for the roles assigned by their departmental leader.

Experience
In-depth knowledge of clinical techniques, applications and equipment as typically obtained through four years of clinical experience as an RN or RRT - Required

Minimum 1 year of independent PICC insertions or completion of PICC training course- Required

Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.