IV Education for Unlicensed Assistive Personnel: Medical Assistants, Phlebotomists, Nursing Assistants

The use of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to insert peripheral IV cannulas is a trend that is growing in healthcare. Within the United States, UAPs can be employed under many titles: medical assistant (MA), certified nurse assistant (CNA), patient care technician (PCT), phlebotomist, dialysis technician, anesthesia technician, dental assistant, and emergency medical technician (EMT). This course is written specifically to provide unlicensed personnel with evidence-based infusion practices that will facilitate quality IV practices, improve patient outcomes, and decrease liability.   

Regulations for UAPs can vary widely from state to state, facility to facility and across jurisdictions. The practice of IV therapy by any individual should be performed according to their level of education and skill competency demonstration. The role, responsibility, accountability and education requirements for each type of clinician involved with infusion therapy administration and vascular access insertion management should be clearly defined within the organization policy according to the applicable regulatory agencies or boards for the state.  

IV skill competency requirements are obtained and maintained through the healthcare provider's employer, facility or institution, with a preceptor. The number of times a procedure must be repeated to demonstrate competency will be determined by the employer or as stipulated by the Board of Nursing or other governing agency.  Pedagogy has developed skills competency checklists for all infusion procedures, and these are available in the course, for print out and completion with a preceptor. 

Questions? Check out our FAQs page and How Online IV Certification Works!

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

  1. Identify infusion related complications, causes and appropriate treatment.
  2. Identify methods of infection control related to IV therapy.
  3. List the components of accurate and complete documentation of IV procedures and complications.
  4. Demonstrate IV catheter insertion. 

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Legal Issues

  • Regulatory Agencies and Governing Bodies 
  • Components of a Complete Order 
  • Legal Terms and Applications 
  • Protective Measures for Guarding Against Malpractice Lawsuits

Chapter 2: Anatomy and Physiology

  • The Vascular System: Veins, Arteries and Bone Marrow 
  • The Three Layers of the Vessels and Their Function 
  • Differentiating Arteries from Veins
  • Veins Used in Peripheral Intravenous Therapy for Adults

Chapter 3: Psychological Needs of the IV Patient

  • Age Specific Needs
  • Elderly Patient Needs 
  • Cultural Aspects
  • Patients with Sensory Deficits 
  • Methods of Reducing Patient Anxiety 
  • Patient Teaching/Education

Chapter 4: Infection Prevention and Safety Compliance

  • Hand Hygiene
  • Sharps Management
  • Medical Waste Disposal
  • Durable Medical Equipment Disinfection
  • Standard Precautions
  • Transmission-Based Precautions

Chapter 5: Site Selection and Device Placement

  • Criteria For Peripheral Devices
  • 3 Types of Peripheral Access and Criteria For Placement
  • Special Considerations of The Specific Age Groups
  • General Considerations of Short Peripheral Access 
  • Veins to Avoid

Chapter 6: Complications

Local Complications 

  • Hematoma
  • Infiltration
  • Extravasation
  • Phlebitis
  • Site Infection
  • Catheter Occlusion
  • MARSI
  • Nerves—Avoiding Damage
  • Compartment Syndrome

Systemic Complications

Chapter 7: Procedures Guides and Videos

  • Pre-insertion Procedures
  • Peripheral IV Insertion
  • Catheter Discontinuation

Chapter 8: Assessment and Documentation

  • Catheter Insertion Documentation 
  • Catheter Removal Documentation
  • Assessment, Monitoring and Documentation by Therapy

Chapter 9: Skill Check-off Lists

  • Medication Administration via Primary Continuous or Intermittent Infusion
  • Electronic Infusion Device Programming
  • Peripheral IV Catheter Insertion
  • Peripheral IV Catheter Removal
  • IV Push
  • Administration of Infusate via an Ambulatory Infusion Pump
  • Medication Administration via an Elastomeric Device

Price: $75.00

Contact Hours: 4

Course Author

Capra Garrison

Capra Garrison, Registered Nurse, has more than 33 years of experience in infusion therapy and the instruction of licensed nurses in infusion therapy continuing education. Her experience comes from multiple infusion settings: acute care, ambulatory infusion centers, home infusion, long term care continuing education provider, and long term care pharmacy quality assurance consultant.

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Course Accreditation

This course has been designed to provide education to the unlicensed assistive healthcare professional. Successful completion of this course does not legally allow the participant to provide IV therapy autonomously. The UAP is required to practice under the direct supervision of a licensed independent practitioner.

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