Vascular Access Nurse

Phelps Health is a 2000-employee-strong hospital and healthcare system serving the heart of small-town Missouri.

No matter where you start with us, we’re committed to taking our team to the top. If you’re ready for the challenge of providing life-saving care or supporting those who do, read on to find your fit in the Phelps Health family.

General Summary

• The Vascular Access Nurse (VAN) is a specialized registered nurse responsible for the assessment, insertion, maintenance, and troubleshooting of vascular access devices (VADs), including peripheral IVs, midlines, and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). The VAN ensures safe, evidence-based vascular access care, reduces infection risks and improves patient outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Follows established hospital policy regarding patient safety measures such as infection prevention, safe patient handling and movement, critical lab notification, etc., to ensure patient care is provided in an optimally safe environment. Monitors staff compliance with safety measures. Maintains and cares for central lines and prevents surgical site infections per policy.
• Assess patients for appropriate vascular access device selection based on clinical condition, treatment plan, and vessel health assessment.
• Insert and maintain various vascular access devices (e.g., PIVs, midlines, PICCs) using aseptic and ultrasound-guided techniques.
• Perform routine site care, dressing changes, and troubleshooting of VAD-related complications (e.g., occlusions, phlebitis, infiltration, infection).
• Educate patients, families, and staff on proper care, maintenance, and signs of complications related to vascular access devices.
• Adhere to hospital policies, infection prevention protocols, and evidence-based best practices (e.g., CDC, INS, and AVA guidelines).
• Collaborate with physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare team members to optimize vascular access plans
• Monitor for and mitigate the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) and other vascular access complications.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives for vascular access data collection and analysis.
• Educate and train nursing staff on vascular access best practices, device selection, and infection prevention.
• Serve as a resource and consultant for vascular access-related issues across hospital departments.
• Responds to and participates in medical emergencies that occur in the hospital.
• Documents accurately and efficiently all patient care interventions and required quality monitoring items to support compliance with established quality measures. .
• Delegates appropriately to team members while maintaining an atmosphere fostering teamwork and accountability. Demonstrates understanding of the dynamics of health care, adapting to change positively and professionally to support the hospital's mission, vision, and values. Incorporates critical thinking into his/her nursing practice and attempts to develop skills and abilities through continued education and various educational opportunities. Provides professional feedback to staff members in an effort to improve nursing practice.

Education

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing required.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of clinical nursing experience, with at least 1 year of experience in vascular access, infusion therapy, or critical care.
• Preferred: Proficiency in ultrasound vascular access placement.

Certification/License

• Current RN license in the State of Missouri or Compact Licensure.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support.
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• National Institute of Health Stroke Scale NIHSS

Mental/Physical Requirements

• Considerable mental concentration is required. Lifting up to 35 lbs., turning activities and nearly constant walking are required. Standing, turning, carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, crouching, twisting, and reaching.

Working Conditions

• Frequent exposure to infectious diseases and hostile persons at times. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases via blood and other body fluids. Minimal physical discomfort.

At Phelps Health, we think we have a better team, benefits, and opportunities for growth than anyone else around, and we invite you to see for yourself! Apply now to join us on our mission in health care.