It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is booming and reaching higher milestones. And thanks to the extensive research conducted and the technological innovations, there are several specializations available today that you may never have heard about.
One of them is Intravenous (IV) Training, which is fast becoming a popular choice among medical professionals.
So what is IV training, and why is it in high demand today? Let’s delve into this further.
What Is IV Training
As an IV therapy specialist, you’re responsible for managing all IV medications and ensuring the safe delivery of these treatments under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist. You need to understand the different types of IV medications, their administration procedures, side effects, and contraindications. This can involve anything from antibiotics, painkillers, fluids for hydration or nutrition, and even chemotherapy drugs.
IV training also involves learning about catheters, venipuncture techniques, cannulation techniques, and laboratory tests to monitor the effects of the drugs. It also involves understanding the different types of medical equipment used to administer these IV therapies.
Why Is It In High Demand?
IV training has seen a surge in demand due to its versatility. As an IV specialist, you can work in any healthcare setting – from long-term care facilities to hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices.
If you’re curious about pursuing a career as an IV technician, below are a few highlights of why you should do so immediately:
Getting an IV certification Is Quick and Easy
Becoming an IV technician doesn’t take much time or effort. Most training courses are relatively short and can be completed in a matter of months. Depending on the school you join, you can get your certificate within 6-8 months. In fact, you may even qualify to take accelerated IV training programs if you have prior experience in a healthcare setting.
High Salary Potential
According to a report by Glassdoor, IV professionals can expect an average annual salary of around $53,785, with $39,000 being the lowest and $79,000 the highest- making it a highly lucrative career. Seasoned professionals with many years of experience can earn up to six-figure salaries. Plus, you can use your IV certification to take up higher-paying roles, such as in surgical centers, oncology units, or other specialty care fields.
Highly Rewarding Career Path
As an IV professional, you have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with your patients and make a real difference in the world. With your expertise, you can help improve the quality of life for your patients and their families, which makes this career deeply rewarding. You’ll be able to have a direct impact on people’s lives while continuing to grow professionally. Plus, if you choose to specialize in certain areas, such as pediatrics or geriatrics, you can become an even more valuable member of the healthcare team.
Simple Qualification Requirements
Most specialized healthcare careers need an extensive list of prerequisites. From college degrees to years of experience, the list can be quite exhaustive. But with IV training, you only need a high school diploma or an equivalent GED and basic medical knowledge to get started. You can get your IV certification by training for six to eight months, depending on your chosen school. It’s no wonder that IV training is in high demand today.
Easy Access to Online Training
Today, numerous credible institutions, such as the National I.V. Association, allow students to enroll in fully-online courses with flexible scheduling options. This makes it easy for busy professionals to further their studies while continuing to work full-time. Online training also offers an opportunity to enroll in any school across the country, giving you access to the best instructors and course material.
And through the program, you can easily interact with your professors, peers, and instructors through discussion boards, email exchanges, and other online tools that provide a more interactive learning experience.
How to Become an IV Technician
IV professionals don’t fall on a single job description. As such, the training and licensing requirements vary depending on your preferred work setting, vocation, and state. For instance, some IV professionals prefer working in a pharmacy setting, while others like emergency medical services, dialysis centers, or even long-term care facilities.
If you want to work in a pharmacy setting, you must train as a pharmacy technician first. Numerous pharmacy technician programs also offer specified training in IV management and mixing. You can easily find these programs in vocational schools, community colleges, the military, and specific hospitals.
But if you already have a background in nursing, emergency medicine, or other medical fields, you can easily take a credited course and get your certification. In fact, some schools even allow students to enroll with just a high school diploma. However, most of these programs are designed for already practicing healthcare professionals to get additional skills.
Once you get your IV certification, you can apply for jobs in a variety of medical settings and start working as an IV specialist. The school will teach you proper dosage calculation, different IV delivery methods, safe handling of medications, perfect IV fluids flow, and various sterilization techniques. After the training, you’ll be able to understand aseptic techniques, intravenous therapy, and patient assessment.
Where Will You Work as an IV Technician?
IV professionals are in high demand across the U.S., with some of the most popular workplaces being long-term care facilities, hospitals, clinics, dialysis centers, and emergency medical services.
You can also choose to work in ambulatory care, where you’ll be responsible for preparing IV medications for patients and monitoring the patients during the treatment. It’s also common to work in home health care, where you’ll visit patients at their homes and administer IVs while providing supportive treatments.
Get Your IV Certification Today!
Do you have the skills and passion to work in the healthcare sector and become an IV professional? If yes, then why wait any longer? Enroll in one of the accredited courses at the National I.V. Association today and get your certification! With our wide range of courses and flexible scheduling options, you can easily kickstart your career as an IV technician with minimal effort.
Sign up now and open the door to an exciting and rewarding healthcare career! Our courses are specially designed for healthcare professionals looking to expand their skills and stay updated on the latest industry trends.
So, don’t miss out — get your IV certification today.
