Registered Nurse - Peripheral Access (Day Shift, Full-Time)

The Peripheral Access Nurse Specialist provides direct patient care as the expert resource for establishing and maintaining optimum venous access. The Peripheral Access Nurse Specialist evaluates patients for, and places peripheral intravenous catheters, ultrasound-guided peripheral IVs (PIVs), midlines, and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) in current patient populations.

The peripheral access nurse will also provide education to patients, families, medical and nursing staff in the care of peripheral and central lines.

• The peripheral access nurse assesses patients with difficult access or need for long term IV therapy for appropriate peripheral access device.
• Works with staff, nurses, physicians, case managers and other team members to insure early assessment for VAD selection and implementation
• Participates in education with Peripheral Access education with patient, family members and staff and serves as a subject matter expert.
• Within the order of the provider, places appropriate intravenous devices with or without the use of ultrasound device.
• Reviews medical records to ensure there are no contraindications of peripheral peripheral access.
• Determines the best peripheral access device for the patient based on medications, current access status, diagnoses, length of IV therapy.
• Trouble shoots difficult complications of peripheral access devices (VADs).
• Declots VADs or assists staff as a resource.
• Places difficult peripheral IVs to ensure patient care is uninterrupted.
• The Peripheral Access nurse performs independent nursing interventions related to infusion therapy and peripheral access using appropriate clinical reasoning, nursing judgment and critical decision making.
• Identifies advanced IV educational opportunities for staff.
• Participate in organized education program, competency assessment, and documentation process for all infusion therapy and peripheral access activities, skills, and procedures required in one's practice setting.
• Utilizes opportunities to teach and mentor other nursing and ancillary personnel.
• Includes the patient and others involved in the care in the evaluation process.
• Role models pro-active problem solving by collaborating with staff to ensure effective resolution of identified issues.
• Utilizes chain of command for unresolved or escalating issues and advocates for patients and staff to provide for safe delivery of care and/or a safe environment of care.
• Actively participates and supports quality assurance and improvement programs, especially central line associated blood stream infection prevention.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of concepts, practices and policies with the ability to use them in complex varied situations.
• Ability to demonstrate effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to contribute to initiatives and processes while supporting a collaborative and respectful team environment and improving workflows.
• Proficiency with MS Office (including Word, Excel and Outlook) and proficiency with electronic health records with the ability to manage clinical/administrative data.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize workload to meet deadlines
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to exercise independent judgment.

EDUCATION:

• BSN required from an accredited nursing program

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum three (3) years critical care nursing experience OR 5 years of acute care experience (required)
• Peripheral Access placement experience (required)

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• Current Texas BON (or Compact State) RN license Upon Hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification Upon Hire
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardioperipheral Life Support (ACLS) within 120 Days
• Venous Access-Board Certified (or VA-BC) within 1 Year

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution.

As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more.

With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture.

Benefits

Overview

UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.

Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists.

Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.

Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.

Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.

Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.

FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.

Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees.

Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.

Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:

• Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
• Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
• Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
• Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.

Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.

EEO Statement

UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.