Within scope of practice to insert a PICC line?

Specialties Infusion

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I have a job interview for an infusion company, and she said that I would be trained to insert PICC lines. I didn't know it was in an RN scope! It has to be done with the aid of x-ray, yes?

Do you generally need/receive a special certification when you're training to insert PICCs?

ETA: I apologize, I should have looked around at the IV therapy specialty board and I would have had an easy answer to my question!

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You use ultrasound to insert it. And yes its within your scope if you receive training and certification course :D It is lucrative to say the least......

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Specializes in ICU.

Most RN's can get training to do a peripheral IV insert w/ ultrasound guidance on very hard sticks. A PICC is similar, but with bigger cuts and more measuring.. maybe with a suture depending on the PICC and how you anchor them in your policy

In fact, I have only seen PICC lines inserted by RNs with the specialized training... Maybe you're confusing PICC and central lines like the IJ/SC?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
In fact, I have only seen PICC lines inserted by RNs with the specialized training... Maybe you're confusing PICC and central lines like the IJ/SC?

Nope, I'm quite certain it's PICC lines. It's just outside my realm of experience, as I've only been an OB nurse and I've only seen 2 occasions where an OB pt. has needed a central line of some sort, and both times they had it placed in advance of coming in to have their babies.

I've never seen a PICC line insertion and the only time I've ever personally cared for a PICC line was in nursing school.

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Specializes in pediatric critical care.

At my hospital PICCs are inserted by RNs with specialized training, I believe they use ultrasound.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

NUrses insert PICC and MID lines with training.......

http://picclinenursing.com/picc_insert.html

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I was trained to insert PICC lines with a very short course and training on how to read CXR to check for proper placement. It may depend upon the facility, but here in California, I would insert a PICC line, have the CXR taken, wait for it to develop, and then check to see if the tip was where it needed to be. All in all, the procedure would take about 1 1/2 hours from initial barrier set up to being all ready to use.

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Nope, I'm quite certain it's PICC lines. It's just outside my realm of experience, as I've only been an OB nurse and I've only seen 2 occasions where an OB pt. has needed a central line of some sort, and both times they had it placed in advance of coming in to have their babies.

I've never seen a PICC line insertion and the only time I've ever personally cared for a PICC line was in nursing school.

When PICCs first came out back in the early 90s, RNs were allowed to insert them after training.

We also used to give Versed at the bedside. :)

Never had sutures in my 4 PICCs. Just a plastic anchor that secured around the tubing, and a dressing. They're inserted a lot in fluoroscopy, and it takes about 5-10 minutes (took longer to get there and back from the room:D). Not a bad procedure at all.

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I currently work at an infusion company in the office (I am a nursing student!:D) We have travel nurses that place periph IVs, midlines, and PICC lines at the bedside in hospitals and nursing homes.

In order to insert PICC lines, you must take a specific 8 hour course and then you must be precepted by a director or someone above you basically. We normally say you have to do it 3 times in front of someone after you take the course in order to be correctly certified. Our nurses used to straight-stick patients years ago, but INS standards have changed and now state it is only safe to do it with the guidance of ultrasound. Our nurses use portable ultrasound machines. As a nurse, you cannot read the x-ray, but yes a radiologist must confirm placement of the PICC line to be sure it's located in the SVC before it can be used. Hope this helps!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

That does help, thank you.

Now, will someone please write my paper for me? Or make AN go away so I will quit getting distracted and get to work? KThxbai

I think I've posted more today than I have in the last month altogether.

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That does help, thank you.

Now, will someone please write my paper for me? Or make AN go away so I will quit getting distracted and get to work? KThxbai

I think I've posted more today than I have in the last month altogether.

LOL.... I find myself coming back several times/day!! But I've got nothing else to do!! :D

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Where did you train . I would love to

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