IV Education and Venipuncture Certification for Radiology Technologists
This comprehensive course is designed specifically for Radiologic Technologists, Sonographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and other medical imaging professionals who perform peripheral venipuncture and administer intravenous contrast media within their professional scope of practice. Developed using current evidence-based guidelines and industry standards, the course provides the knowledge and clinical principles necessary to safely obtain peripheral venous access, administer contrast media, recognize and respond to complications, and deliver exceptional patient-centered care.
Participants will review vascular anatomy, infection prevention, patient assessment, venipuncture techniques, catheter selection, contrast administration, power injector safety, management of contrast reactions, documentation requirements, and quality assurance principles applicable to diagnostic imaging. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, regulatory compliance, interprofessional collaboration, and best practices consistent with current recommendations from organizations including the American College of Radiology (ACR), Infusion Nurses Society (INS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
Many governing boards require the Radiology Technologist to have infusion therapy and venipuncture education after licensure. These requirements vary by state and governing board. This course provides 10 hours of didactic education and complies with California Health & Safety Code 106985, Section 27; Senate Bill No. 1199, and includes First Aid education. The participant, if practicing in California, must also have a valid and current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be prepared to perform peripheral IV insertion and intravenous contrast administration safely and competently within employer policies, state regulations, and professional standards.
Questions? Check out our FAQs page and How Online IV Certification Works!
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Describe the role of peripheral intravenous therapy and contrast administration within the scope of practice of radiologic technologists and other medical imaging professionals.
- Identify appropriate vascular anatomy, vein selection principles, and catheter selection criteria for peripheral venous access during diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Demonstrate knowledge of proper patient assessment, preparation, and communication before peripheral venipuncture and contrast administration.
- Differentiate between commonly used contrast media, delivery methods, and equipment used during diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Recognize the signs, symptoms, prevention strategies, and appropriate initial management of local and systemic complications associated with peripheral IV therapy and contrast administration.
- Select appropriate interventions for patients experiencing contrast reactions, extravasation, or other infusion-related complications within the imaging environment.
Curriculum
Section 1: IV Therapy, Venipuncture, and Contrast Administration
Chapter 1: Introduction to Peripheral IV Therapy in Medical Imaging
- The role of IV therapy in diagnostic imaging
- Scope of practice for imaging professionals
- State regulations and employer competency
- Patient safety responsibilities
- Professional standards and ethical practice
- Overview of contrast-enhanced imaging procedures
- Structure and function of the vascular system
- Venous anatomy of the upper extremities
- Veins commonly used for peripheral IV access
- Blood flow and venous return
- Vessel preservation principles
- Factors affecting successful venipuncture
- Chain of infection
- Hand hygiene
- Standard and transmission-based precautions
- Aseptic technique
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Skin antisepsis
- Safe sharps handling
- Preventing healthcare-associated infections
- Peripheral IV catheter components
- Catheter gauges and materials
- Power injectable catheters
- Extension sets and needleless connectors
- Contrast administration systems
- Saline flushes and contrast delivery supplies
- Equipment inspection and preparation
- Emergency equipment readiness
- Patient identification
- Imaging order verification
- Medical history review
- Previous contrast reactions and allergy assessment
- Renal function considerations
- Existing vascular access devices
- Limb restrictions
- Patient communication and education
- Procedure planning
- Contrast Administration Safety Pause
- Preparing for venipuncture
- Patient positioning and ergonomics
- Vein assessment and palpation
- Vein dilation techniques
- Selecting the best insertion site
- Difficult intravenous access (DIVA)
- Step-by-step venipuncture technique
- Common insertion errors
- Tips for first-attempt success
- Confirming catheter patency
- Flushing procedures
- Catheter stabilization
- Dressing management
- Preparing for contrast administration
- Monitoring during contrast injection
- Troubleshooting catheter problems
- Recognizing catheter dysfunction
- Types of contrast media
- Manual versus power injection
- Preparing for contrast administration
- Patient monitoring
- Expected patient sensations
- Saline flushes and saline chasers
- Contrast warming
- Documentation and post-procedure care
- Mild, moderate, and severe reactions
- Allergic-like reactions
- Physiologic reactions
- Vasovagal events
- Emergency response procedures
- Anaphylaxis recognition
- Post-reaction monitoring
- Documentation and reporting
- Infiltration
- Contrast extravasation
- Phlebitis
- Hematoma formation
- Occlusion
- Air embolism
- Nerve injury
- Prevention and management strategies
- Safe catheter removal
- Post-procedure assessment
- Patient discharge instructions
- Documentation standards
- Contrast administration records
- Incident reporting
- Continuity of care
- Evidence-based practice
- Quality improvement principles
- Competency validation
- Professional accountability
- Interprofessional communication
- Regulatory compliance
- Patient-centered care
- Continuing education and lifelong learning
Section 2: First Aid and Emergency Response
Chapter 13: Emergency Response & First Aid in the Healthcare Setting
- Healthcare-based first aid and emergency response
- Scope of practice and professional responsibilities
- Recognition of patient deterioration
- Rapid Response Team vs. Code Blue activation
- Standard Precautions, PPE, teamwork, and documentation
- Scene safety and initial patient assessment
- Determining responsiveness and activating assistance
- Primary assessment using the C-A-B approach
- Secondary assessment and SAMPLE history
- Patient positioning, monitoring, and reassessment
- Recognition of high-risk clinical findings
- Stroke and acute coronary syndrome
- Vasovagal reactions associated with venipuncture
- Seizures and hypoglycemia
- Respiratory distress and cardiac arrest
- Allergic-like contrast reactions and anaphylaxis
- Recognition of emergencies requiring immediate escalation
- Minor and severe external bleeding
- Recognition and management of shock
- Patient falls and head, neck, and spinal injuries
- Contrast extravasation
- Burns, chemical eye exposures, and musculoskeletal injuries
- Needlestick and occupational blood exposures
- Crash carts, AEDs, oxygen, and suction equipment
- Emergency and contrast reaction kits
- Commonly encountered emergency medications
- Epinephrine and emergency management of anaphylaxis
- SBAR and closed-loop communication
- Emergency team roles, documentation, and post-event debriefing
- Step-by-step emergency response algorithm
- Recognition, response, reassessment, and reporting
- Quick-reference actions for common imaging emergencies
- Emergency preparedness and equipment awareness
- Professional responsibilities and scope of practice
- Continuing competency and emergency response readiness
- Case Study 1: The Routine CT Patient Who Isn't So Routine
- Case Study 2: Pain and Swelling During a Power Injection
- Case Study 3: When Another IV Attempt Is Not the Answer
- Case Study 4: The Inpatient IV That “Works Fine”
- Case Study 5: When the Pieces Don’t Quite Fit
Chapter 20: References and Skill Checklists
Price: $175.00
Contact Hours: 10
Course Author
Capra Garrison
Course Accreditation
The AVIR is a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM) for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This educational activity is approved by the AVIR for ARRT Category A+ Credit for 10.00 contact hours. CE accreditation approval date 10/01/2026 through 10/01/2029.