PICC Certification?

I currently place PICCs and midlines in the hospital where I work. The hospital offered a training class several years ago and I took it. Now I place a dozen or so PICCs and PICs each week in addition to staffing in the ICU. Is there a national certification for PICC nurses? Something I can get that would indicate to other employers that I am a competent PICC nurse? Is there a national certification?

Thanks in advance.

I hope that you aren't placing Peripherally Inserted Catheters (PIC's) which terminate in the subclavian area. Is that what you meant by PIC?

In addition, there isn't a true "Certification" for PICC nursing as true certification comes from established organizations like Infusion Nurses Society (INS) and American Nurses Association (ANA). You can be PICC competent after receiving the didactic and performing the required number of "sticks". One certification which IS recognized nationally is the CRNI. That stands for Certified Registered Nurses Infusion.

It is a national certification which denotes you as someone who has excellance in infusion therapy. Check out the website of INS @ www.INS1.org

:wink2:

each state is a little bit different in what they require...what state are you in?...Do not necessarily depend upon your employer to know...you need to know what evidence you need in your file to prove competency......and the nurse that commented above is absolutely right on......no one should be placing piccs with the tip in the subcalavian unless all other options have been exhausted for that particular patient..in other words do not routinely do that....yes there are cases where you are on your last vein to try and every one has been accessed and nothing will thread.....and the last one threads only to the brachiocephalic....Ok so you look at the risks vs the benefits..call MD and document well and monitor for complications.......You will be held to the current standard of care wheter you know it or not...so it is always better to know it..there have been a few lawsuits that demonstrate that...even if the hospital policies do not meet the current standard you beeter know what it is...and make steps to get it changed if necessary

each state is a little bit different in what they require...what state are you in?...Do not necessarily depend upon your employer to know...you need to know what evidence you need in your file to prove competency......and the nurse that commented above is absolutely right on......no one should be placing piccs with the tip in the subcalavian unless all other options have been exhausted for that particular patient..in other words do not routinely do that....yes there are cases where you are on your last vein to try and every one has been accessed and nothing will thread.....and the last one threads only to the brachiocephalic....Ok so you look at the risks vs the benefits..call MD and document well and monitor for complications.......You will be held to the current standard of care wheter you know it or not...so it is always better to know it..there have been a few lawsuits that demonstrate that...even if the hospital policies do not meet the current standard you beeter know what it is...and make steps to get it changed if necessary

*** I am in Wisconsin. Why shouldn't I be placing midlines? Our current policy states all lines should be midlines and only central (SVC) for TPN and lipids.

I did not say Midlines.......I said PICCs with the tip in the Subclavian.....a ML has the tip in the upper third of the upper arm just below the shoulder...are we using the same definition? If not let me know and I will tell you why so you can protect yourself and your pts.

There is a certification process. I believe this is what you are looking for. Check out this link, it will take you to a company called PICC Excellence. Good luck.

The following is direct link to certification topic.

http://www.piccexcellence.com/education/CERTIFICATION.php?page=self_picc_cert

I did not say Midlines.......I said PICCs with the tip in the Subclavian.....a ML has the tip in the upper third of the upper arm just below the shoulder...are we using the same definition? If not let me know and I will tell you why so you can protect yourself and your pts.

*** No, we never place lines where the distal end is in the arm. I place PICs "midclavicular" and PICCs where the distal end is in the SVC. What am I missing?

One should not be placing PIC's which terminate in the subclavian vein. The increase in thrombus rates skyrocket when the tip stops in this vessel. INS recognizes a PICC with its tip in the distal SVC or cavo-atrial junction and they recognize a midline as that which has a tip in the upper aspect of the arm, just before the axillary vein. In the early 1990's we used to place many midclavicular lines in the home infusion setting (No CXR was needed as it didn't terminate in the SVC). We did this BEFORE outcome assessments showed the huge increase of thrombosed catheters.

Well thank you very much for filling me in. Our police only allows for midclavicular (PIC) and SVC (PICC). Clearly it is outdated. I will do a review of the litature and try to get a change in policy.

Please do not be mislead by claims of taking a class or course and being awarded a "certification" as a PICC nurse. The best you will receive is a "certificate". There are major differences between earning a certificate and earning a certification. The ONLY national certification for a nurse to earn in infusion therapy is the CRNI designation through the INCC exam. Please visit the website of the INS, www.ins1.org, to learn more about this.

Please do not be mislead by claims of taking a class or course and being awarded a "certification" as a PICC nurse. The best you will receive is a "certificate". There are major differences between earning a certificate and earning a certification. The ONLY national certification for a nurse to earn in infusion therapy is the CRNI designation through the INCC exam. Please visit the website of the INS, www.ins1.org, to learn more about this.

I'm a little confused. Isn't the CRNI also a "course" that one takes. Finishing by taking an exam to show your knowledge of the presented material? I am not knocking the CRNI/INCC by any means I am taking the exam as well. I just don't understand why you think that there is a difference? Why one is so much better than another? Thanks:jester:

The CRNI exam is the only nationally accepted certification for infusion nurses. There are many independant companies that offer CRNI exam review courses. What I was saying, and accept my apologies if I confused you, is that there are also many companies that offer courses whcih they advertise as leading to a "certification" as a PICC nurse. These are not true certifications. They are "certificates". There are many difference between being a certified nurse in any given specialty and being a nurse with a certificate. Neither the INS nor the INCC offer courses which lead to a certification. The INS does offer study guides and books which nurses can use to help prepare, but no actual courses. The INCC administers the CRNI exam and if the applicant passes they are then designated as a CRNI. However a nurse choses to study for the exam, whether alone, in a group, or by paying for a review course is up to them. I hope this clears up what I said originally. If not then we can continue the conversation.

Thanks

The CRNI exam is the only nationally accepted certification for infusion nurses. There are many independant companies that offer CRNI exam review courses. What I was saying, and accept my apologies if I confused you, is that there are also many companies that offer courses whcih they advertise as leading to a "certification" as a PICC nurse. These are not true certifications. They are "certificates". There are many difference between being a certified nurse in any given specialty and being a nurse with a certificate. Neither the INS nor the INCC offer courses which lead to a certification. The INS does offer study guides and books which nurses can use to help prepare, but no actual courses. The INCC administers the CRNI exam and if the applicant passes they are then designated as a CRNI. However a nurse choses to study for the exam, whether alone, in a group, or by paying for a review course is up to them. I hope this clears up what I said originally. If not then we can continue the conversation.

Thanks

OK...I think I understand. Thanks again.