Vascular Access RN

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

General Summary:

This professional provides the service of vascular access and care to all inpatients in need of establishing access for intravenous (IV) therapy.  This professional starts peripheral IVs, including long PIVs, extended dwell catheters, and bedside midline catheter placement, provides dressing care for central and peripheral venous access lines, performs arterial blood draws when appropriate, and trains other professionals in vascular access skills. This professional is proficient in the use of ultrasound guidance for placement of difficult venous access lines. This professional participates in monitoring and data compilation for vascular access information. Understands and integrates into the delivery of patient care the needs of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients in regard to their growth and development process.  Actively supports the Hospital and department’s quality goals and service excellence principles.

Essential Job Functions:

• Coordinates and consults with the patient’s nurse and Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) to determine the purpose for the service, the type of device, the type of fluids/medications to be infused and the duration of the device need to assure appropriateness of the device.

• Coordinates vascular access with phlebotomy needs for the patient.

• Takes age-appropriate measures to minimize pain and anxiety (e.g. topical anesthetics, deep breathing, and distraction) during patient’s vascular access experience.

• Labels and handles all phlebotomy specimens according to Lurie Children’s policy.

• Performs repair of central venous access lines as needed per Lurie Children’s Policy.

• Coordinates and performs central venous access site assessment and dressing changes according to the applicable Lurie Children’s policies.

• Acts as consultation provider for complicated central line associated skin injuries (CASI)

• Coordinates and consults with the patient’s nurse and LIP

• Serves as the clinical resource and expert for vascular access, central or peripheral, throughout the hospital.

• Assesses the patient’s venous system and therapy indications and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to determine the most appropriate type of venous access, while considering length of therapy, vessel preservation, type of medication, and needs of the patient.

• Assesses requests and prioritizes service calls according to the patients’ clinical status and the purpose for the service need.

• Acts as a patient advocate by collaborating with the patient’s LIP to identify the appropriate vascular access device for the patient based on the anticipated use of the device and length of time the device will be in use.

• Communicates to the patient’s care providers any findings that may be relevant based upon nursing assessment of the patient’s clinical or psychosocial status.

• Acts as a patient advocate in the assessment of pain prevention, pain control and diversional techniques for use during vascular access or dressing changes

• Documents all vascular access services provided on the patient’s medical record including consultative services, patient/parent teaching, and placement of a vascular access device, pain assessment and site checks.

• Acts as a preceptor and teacher for nursing and medical staff regarding aspects of vascular access and aseptic technique skills.

• Assists in policy and procedure review for all relevant policies

• Assists in product evaluations and decision-making for vascular access devices, dressings and related equipment.

• Collects and compiles daily data to provide records of vascular access team activities and service requests.

• Contributes to hospital quality assurance and improvement activities and participates in research activities as needed.

• Assures the necessary service coverage by reviewing and coordinating with fellow team members for staffing

• Participates in the design and production of worksheets, data collection tools, and teaching products.

• Meets regularly with immediate leadership member to review service line and improvement opportunities.

• Provides teaching on vascular access, aseptic technique, site & dressing care and assessment and venous access skills to nurses and physicians.

• Participates in central line rounding in the ICU settings, as well as acts as a unit liaison to a specific unit as their vascular access specialist.

• Participates in orientation of nurses and physicians regarding the above vascular access skills.

• Provides teaching to patients and families on monitoring their vascular access site and dressing change techniques.

• Assists in identification of professional learning needs and educational program design for vascular access topics for professional staff.

• Acts as a community resource to external customers.

• Checks physician orders, verifies patient’s identity using two identifiers prior to any procedure.

• Assesses patient for allergy history (including latex) or site restriction prior to vascular access procedure.

• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to treat adverse reaction to vascular access experience (e.g. fainting).

• Uses all related equipment according to manufacturer recommendations.

• Interviews/discusses the patient’s past experience and parental/significant family member’s knowledge of preferred methods to decrease anxiety and pain during the patient’s vascular access experience.

• Engages parent/significant family member to comfort and encourage the patient during the vascular access experience.

• Takes age-appropriate measures to minimize pain (e.g. topical/injectable anesthetics, deep breathing, etc.) and anxiety during the patient’s vascular access experience.

• Others duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing. A minimum of two years of experience in patient care.

• Current license as a registered nurse in the state of Illinois. Current CPR/PALS certification.

• Demonstrated proficiency in venipuncture, aseptic technique and I.V. starting technique.

• Demonstrated proficiency using transilluminators and infusion pumps.

• Skilled in communication, critical thinking and problem-solving.

• Demonstrated approachability, flexibility, effectiveness in stressful/urgent/emergent situations.

• Demonstrated professionalism as a clinical resource, coach and role model.

• Ability to teach and facilitate learning in others.

• Proficient in the use of PC and basic word processing skills.

• Obtains Vascular Access Board Certification (VA-BC) within two years of being on the team.

Lurie Children's will consider visa sponsorship of qualified candidates for the registered nurse role, subject to all applicable law as well as business and budgetary limitations.

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Nursing (Required)

Pay Range

$40.00-$66.00 Hourly

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability

• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage

• Tuition assistance

• Student loan servicing and support

• Adoption benefits

• Backup Childcare and Eldercare

• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members

• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities

• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Lurie Children’s, we embrace and celebrate building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that different life experiences strengthen our workplace and the care we provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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