IV Technician education Archives - National IV Association

IV (intravenous) therapy is an essential skill taught to IV technicians trained to handle the medical technique of catering to patients using IV therapy.

This routine IV therapy method is used in healthcare settings such as hospitals to give patients fluids, hydration, medicines, and nutrients, and has many other uses. However, its effectiveness each time depends on the right technique, skill, and knowledge of how the method is used as well as the correct IV insertion site and IV start site.

IV Start Sites

The specific sites or locations on the body where IV technicians initiate or start the process of IV therapy by inserting the needle into the right vein are called IV start sites.

The process involves the administration of fluids, medications, blood products, or other treatments directly into the bloodstream through a vein. An IV technician selects the start site based on a number of crucial factors such as

Patient’s condition
Type of treatment
Accessibility of veins
Patient’s comfort

The National IV Association (NIVA) helps aspiring IV technicians to learn and obtain their IV certification, right from addressing basic concepts to progressing to the more advanced concepts. Candidates having a high school diploma (or an equivalent GED) can enroll online for the on-demand, self-paced, and 100% online IV certification course and exam.

The Most Common IV Start Sites

An IV technician must always choose the most practical and safest location for IV insertion. An IV technician or a trained IV healthcare professional decides the best IV start site based on certain factors including

Patient’s age
Medical condition
The length of treatment
Type of solution being administered

The professional’s judgment is important in selecting the most appropriate IV start site. The chosen site or vein must have good blood flow and the technician must also ensure patient comfort while ensuring the safe and effective delivery of treatment. In simple language, the most common IV start sites include

Hand

A common IV start site is the back of the hand (dorsal venous network) which has veins with good blood flow. Patients may be asked to form a fist for better accessibility to the veins.

Forearm And Wrist

The most chosen site on the hand is the vein that goes from the palm across the wrist and along the inner side of the forearm (median antebrachial vein). This is also the best start site for IV insertions with narrow gauge catheters.

The Front Of The Elbow Area

This site in scientific terms is called the cubital fossa – the area inside the elbow between the arm and the forearm where accessible veins (e.g. median cubital vein – located in the triangular area inside the elbow) can be seen.

Upper Arm

In the absence of adequate forearm veins as the preferred choice, the patient’s upper arm where a vein called the cephalic vein courses along the front portion of the bicep can be considered. A useful choice for those needing movement in the lower arm.

Lesser Common IV Start Sites

Certain sites like the scalp, feet, shoulder, and fingers although viable options must be avoided if possible as they are not the usual recommended sites for IV insertion.

Scalp (Young Children)

In young patients such as infants, the scalp veins can be a choice for IV insertion but these may be more like the least preferred or last resort.

Foot (Neonates/Infants)

When most other sites are unavailable, the veins on the front of the foot like the saphenous (near the ankle) or dorsal arch veins (on the top of the foot) can be used as IV start sites in neonates/infants. Caution needs to be exercised with these sites as the risks of infiltration are high.

External Jugular Vein (Adults)

The vein located in the anterior and lateral neck is reserved for more complex procedures since the vein receives blood from the deeper parts of the face as well as the scalp.

How The NIVA Review Course Prepares Aspiring IV Technicians

NIVA is the nation’s trusted certifying authority to advance and improve customer health and safety since 1990. Top-quality training is delivered through online courses via video tutorials and practice tests. The material is prepared and authorized for instruction by medically proficient and licensed experts in the field who contribute both in the health and education sectors. Those who register for the course can answer the National IV exam to obtain their IV certification and recertification.

NIVA adopts a scientific approach to meet the demanding standards of education with constant curriculum updates. The highest standards of quality education are ensured to all those to register to become IV-certified healthcare professionals and hence successful IV technicians. The IV Certification Review Course is an excellent resource for aspiring IV technicians.

Become An IV Certified Healthcare Profession With Ease

NIVA has simplified the learning and IV certification process by providing aspiring IV technicians with all the required resources. Access all courses and exams at NIVA by visiting https://nationalivassociation.org/register/.

Aspiring IV technician candidates must take note that the exams exclude the course but the courses provide access to the course and exam at no extra cost.

To access the courses and exams, the candidates must follow these easy steps [1]

Register online using the REGISTER option, fill in the necessary details, and make the payment to create the account.
The account is created upon registration and successful payment.
Log into the account at any time to access courses using the LOGIN option.

The IV course and exam options are

To verify a certification visit https://nationalivassociation.org/verify-a-certification/.

Aspiring IV technicians must also know that the requirements for NIVA’s membership and certification include

Passing the exam with scores of 85% or higher
Maintaining a minimum of 20 CEUs bi-yearly
Working as an IV technician for a minimum of 6 months every 2 years
Answering and clearing the recertification exam every 2 years

As a successful IV technician find work at pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, medical spas and labs, and other healthcare facilities. You will be in responsible positions adhering to federal laws and state regulations giving the best care to patients who need it the most.

To obtain your IV certification Register For Niva Exams And Courses today!

As more hospitals and health centers open, more patients are admitted, and chronic diseases increase, the demand for I.V. nurses has escalated. Registered nurses specializing in the administration of intravenous medication are needed more.

Consequently, the demand for I.V. instructors has also increased—to teach and train medical students and nurses interested in becoming I.V. nurses.

If you’ve been planning on attaining an I.V. training instructor certification, an I.V. instructor training course offered by the National I.V. Association will equip you with the necessary teaching skills and help you become a certified I.V. instructor.

Who is an I.V. Instructor?

An I.V. (intravenous) instructor is a registered nurse specializing in I.V. procedures who teaches and instructs other nurses on the techniques of I.V. therapy.

This includes how to insert I.V. catheters, attach tubing to the medication, administer drip medications, regulate the medications administered, safe removal of needles, and safety precautions.

In addition to their nursing jobs, I.V. instructors can teach part-time in hospitals and post-secondary medical schools.

Why Become an I.V. Instructor?

There are several reasons why you’d want to become an I.V. instructor. These include:

It is an excellent addition to your resume

An I.V. training instructor certification from the National I.V. Association is a nationally-recognized certification that shows you not only have skills and experience in I.V. administration but can also teach others. This will give you a competitive advantage and help you negotiate higher salaries with current and potential employers.

Widen your prospects

Beyond your full-time nursing job, you can work with medical schools, holistic medical centers, and home health agencies to train other nurses. I.V. infusions have become popular with people choosing to receive vitamin and hydration infusions at home; your skills will be valuable.

There’s a growing market demand for trained trainers

As mentioned earlier, the need for I.V. instructors is growing, with new practices emerging daily. Instead of educated individuals, the industry is seeking professionals who are experts in their fields.

Having an I.V. instructor training and certification puts you at the top of the hiring pool, as most companies prefer a multi-certified candidate over one with a single degree.

Better salary

According to salary.com, the average salary of an I.V. instructor in the US is $105,643, compared to that of a Level 1 registered nurse, which is $67,190. As an I.V. instructor, you can earn up to $118,263 annually working for educational institutions and healthcare organizations.

How to Become an I.V. Instructor

Become a certified I.V. training instructor by taking the I.V. instructor course offered by the National I.V. Association.

This course teaches you to teach theories and hands-on practices, such as inserting and removing I.V., injecting fluids and electrolytes, and pediatric infusions, among others.

Course Overview

100% Self-Paced

Managing your personal life, work demands, and studies can be challenging. This course allows you to fit it into your schedule and take it at your own pace. Moreover, it’s available anytime.

The course is 100% online, allowing you to take it from anywhere. You will access study guides, recorded tutorials, practice exams, and the National I.V. Review Course.

Learn Teaching Skills and Techniques

The National I.V. Instructor training certification aims to equip you and develop your teaching skills so you can teach others effectively. The course includes 14 modules, each focusing on essential education techniques you need to instruct your students better.

These include;

Recognizing and understanding your students’ needs
Teaching strategies for students with special needs and learning disabilities
How to teach theories effectively
Hands-on practices, such as operating I.V. equipment, setting proper drip rates, inserting and removing I.V. catheters, and safety precautions

A combination of these skills and your nursing experience will make you a valuable asset in your workplace and give you a competitive edge over your peers.

Access To Certification Exam

At the end of your course, you can take the National I.V. Instructor Certification exam, which tests your knowledge in preparing intravenous access and providing intravenous therapy to patients.

Upon attaining a score of 85% and above in the exam, a hard copy certificate, a hand-sawn patch, and a national ID for employer verification will be mailed to you. You’ll now be officially a certified I.V. instructor.

National I.V. Certification and Membership Requirements

Once you gain your I.V. instructor certification, you will need to comply with these requirements to maintain your certification and membership.

Pass the National I.V. exam and attain a score of 85% and above
Maintain at least 20 CEUs (Continuing Education Hours) in I.V. interpretation, held bi-yearly
Work as an I.V. technician for a minimum of six months every two years
Take the National I.V. Recertification exam and pass every two years

While taking the exam ensures you are well-equipped with the skills necessary, recertification ensures your continuous learning, keeping up with trends, and continued professional competence.

Our I.V. Instructor course also gives you access to our National I.V. Review course to help refresh your knowledge in I.V. administration and improve your chance of passing the instructor exam.

Additionally, as an I.V. instructor, you can opt to specialize in teaching a specific field, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, etc.

Get Your I.V. Instructor Training Certification Today

I.V. instructors are in demand, and a National I.V. instructor certification from the National I.V. Association provides a competitive advantage and is an excellent addition to your resume. With this certification, you will widen your job prospects and negotiate better salaries.

Enrolling in our National I.V. Instructor Certification course will give you a better chance to pass the National I.V. Instructor Certification exam.

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