Patient care tech's install IV?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 2, 2018

Install?

Doubtful that any of the above would be able to be delegated to a non-licensed person except (perhaps) removal of a peripheral IV.

psu_213, BSN, RN · May 3, 2018

In my state, a trained tech can put in and take out IVs. They cannot give meds, IV or otherwise. Not sure about the rules if FL.

Buckeye.nurse · May 3, 2018

When I worked in NC, a trained tech could remove IVs (but RNs placed them). At my current employer in Ohio, techs are allowed to perform phlebotomy, but can't touch IVs. I'm unsure of the rules in Florida, but doubt that techs can give medications, regardless of the route.

Neats, BSN · May 4, 2018

It is different from state to state some allow for this type of skill while others do not.

Emergent, RN · May 5, 2018

You install cabinets, car stereos, light fixtures, etc. You insert IVs. Or, you can say "I placed an IV" or simply "I put in an IV".

brownbook · May 5, 2018

You install cabinets, car stereos, light fixtures, etc. You insert IVs. Or, you can say "I placed an IV" or simply "I put in an IV".

Thanks so much, honestly I love simple clearly explained grammatical corrections.

As to the question. It is kind of scary that the answer is so confusing and depends on I don't know what? We had an excellent CNA who had worked as a vet tech. She was the go to person for difficult IV placements. On busy days she'd start almost all the IV's for us in pre-op. One day I come to work and hear she can't do it due to ?????? I am not sure what.

CNA's who worked in PACU could only discontinue IV's if they had taken an IV certification class.

I work in California.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 6, 2018

When I worked as a CNA in a small city hospital, I was allowed to discontinue almost everything but central lines and PICCs. I could also empty drains and Hemovacs, change ostomy bags, check blood sugars, and do compressions during a code. I could not, however, place IVs or Foleys even though I was also a student nurse at the time, because it wasn't in my scope of practice as an aide. Nor could I do phlebotomy. I think some states are a little more liberal with what they allow CNAs or techs to do, although they require extra classes and certifications in order to be able to perform the more advanced skills.

broughden · May 6, 2018

I live in Florida. Can a patient care tech install IV 's, give medication through it and take the IV out legally?

The relevant Florida administrative code and guidance by the state's Board of Nursing:

64B9-15.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 7, 2018

When I worked in NC, a trained tech could remove IVs (but RNs placed them). At my current employer in Ohio, techs are allowed to perform phlebotomy, but can't touch IVs. I'm unsure of the rules in Florida, but doubt that techs can give medications, regardless of the route.

Techs give meds all the time in Nursing Homes, Skilled Nursing, Rehab facilities. They have to be trained to do this, above the requirements to be CNA's.

Sadly, they often seem to not know what the meds really are, how they might interact with each other, when they need to be given with food, and so on. Really, really scary.

Check with the Florida state regulators who make the rules about what aides/techs can and cannot do. Then you will have an official response to your question.

Buckeye.nurse · May 7, 2018

Techs give meds all the time in Nursing Homes, Skilled Nursing, Rehab facilities. They have to be trained to do this, above the requirements to be CNA's.
Sadly, they often seem to not know what the meds really are, how they might interact with each other, when they need to be given with food, and so on. Really, really scary.
Check with the Florida state regulators who make the rules about what aides/techs can and cannot do. Then you will have an official response to your question.

Thank you for pointing that out Kooky. I was thinking with my hospital nurse brain. :)

Apples&Oranges · May 12, 2018

When I was a tech, I placed IVs, as well as Foleys, straight cathed and drew blood. It was part of a push to take time consuming "tasks" away from the RN, and let them concentrate on NURSING duties. I wish our techs could put in IVs, it would save me an hour or more every shift that could be spent on actually being a nurse, rather than running around like a headless chicken doing tasks that almost anyone else could do.