Intravenous therapy, abbreviated IV, was initially provided as medication in various hospital facilities like emergency rooms, oncology units, doctors’ offices, and specialty clinics. Now it can be offered at home, in hotel rooms, and in spa settings. Therefore, there is no limit to where IV therapy can be provided in the contemporary world, even though some states restrict the location of IV therapy services offered by any licensed IV professional.
It is worth noting that IV therapy is still a field of medicine. This is because IV therapists administer medications via injection to patients with varying health conditions. As such, they administer the correct dosage to treat hangovers, headaches, nausea, and dehydration.
In addition to monitoring patient reactions, IV professionals also document the entire IV process to demonstrate the patient’s progress and success.
This article focuses on starting an IV and what it takes to get certified.
Starting an IV Business
As you may know, an IV is a fine tube often inserted into a vein to deliver medicine into a patient’s bloodstream. Generally, only physicians, registered nurses, and assistant physicians are allowed to perform IV services. In this regard, starting an IV business requires one to be a licensed IV technician or medical professional.
New York is an example of a state that adheres to this rule. Florida is at the other end of the spectrum, as IV business owners have few ownership restrictions. To that end, a non-medical corporation in Florida can hire healthcare IV professionals to conduct IV services on their behalf.
However, there are legal workarounds in most states. For instance, some restrictive states allow LPNs and LVNs to perform IV services in the presence of a physician or if they have a physician on-site to supervise them when an emergency arises. While other states permit the incorporation of IV therapy businesses with medical companies, management service organizations are still employed to oversee the day-to-day operations of the businesses.
In addition, most states require IV professionals to be licensed when starting an IV business. Generally, a licensed IV technician or firm engaged in IV therapy should be insured to protect their interests.
The types of equipment used by a licensed IV technician must also be up to date.
Also, all sterile protocols, medical practice standards, and federal workplace safety guidelines must be strictly followed. While this may seem like a lot to worry about, it should not be a discouraging endeavour with adequate licensed IV technicians, training, and appropriate legal advice.
If you are thinking of starting an IV therapy business, it would be wise to consult a competent attorney to guide you through your state laws. Partnering with an attorney will give you an edge over your competitors and a seamless ride in this growing and ever-changing industry.
Why Should You Become An IV Therapist?
Healthcare careers will continue to grow and expand due to the increasing demand for healthcare services. This is according to a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By extension, becoming an IV therapist is a great career choice if you intend to impact patients’ care by offering quality healthcare during their time of need.
In addition, most recruiters prefer candidates who have completed the Certificate IV course because they tend to be versatile in managing the firm’s daily affairs. Furthermore, the current job market prefers recruiting multi-talented professionals rather than educated individuals.
Therefore, being IV certified means you are also eligible to train other staff; hence, you can work as a human resource manager, facilitator, and assessor. For this reason, most IV professionals find their way into a wide range of disciplines because the IV certificate opens up a variety of career prospects.
Also, similar to other healthcare careers, this career path comes with lucrative salaries with an average base pay of more than $70,000 annually, depending on your location and work facility.
How to Become an IV Therapist
As previously mentioned, IV therapists monitor the IV process while ensuring the patient’s IV stays in place. After administering the IV medication, the IV therapists ensure the patient does not experience adverse reactions. While IV therapists are required to be licensed and certified healthcare professionals, it is the relevant certifying board in the respective practicing state that determines certification.
To become a licensed IV technician, one must earn a two-year nursing degree from an accredited university. Upon completion, the university should grant an R.N. degree or LPN certification.
One may also be required to complete education and earn an IV therapy certification to obtain an IV certificate. However, this depends on the state, as some do not require IV professionals to have a formal credential. For instance, most states insist on hands-on training, but a state like Florida does not mandate students to complete a certification course.
To that end, if you study in a state that does not mandate the requirements stipulated by the state board of nursing, consider enrolling in a continuing education course and obtaining a certificate in IV therapy. You can accomplish this by attending a 30-hour online IV education course or joining an accredited program offered by NIVA. By doing so, you will ensure that you meet the requirements of your employer and make yourself stand out to recruiters.
The National IV Review Course
The NIVA IV review course is an excellent option for students who want to become certified IV technicians or pursue other healthcare careers. This course’s beneficial effect is that students learn the necessary skills and knowledge at their own pace to pass the NIVA certification exam.
In addition, the National IV Review Course incorporates PDF study guides and videos into 42 virtual interactive lessons. The most impressive part is that students also get free access to the NIVA exam.
Requirements for National IV certification and membership
- A student must pass the National IV exam with an 85% score
- Maintaining a minimum of 20 CEUs in IV interpretation every six months is mandatory.
- Work as an IV technician for six months every two years
- Pass the National I.V. recertification examination every two years
Partner With the National IV Association (NIVA)
Despite the world’s move toward minimalism, IV certificates are still highly beneficial. This is because the demand for healthcare careers is rising as employers seek qualified individuals to handle multiple and complex situations in the healthcare industry.
If you want to gain the relevant skills and knowledge in the IV field and become more competitive in the healthcare industry, gaining an IV certification from NIVA would be wise. We provide a wide variety of exams and course options to help our students succeed in their healthcare careers by ensuring they have a well-rounded background in healthcare.
Register for your National IV certification today to enhance your CV and negotiate higher salaries on the job market.
