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IV Certification

Most Frequently Used IV Start Sites

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!

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intravenous certification IV Certification

Intravenous Certification at the National IV Association Online

Intravenous certification

Having chosen specialization in the past doesn’t mean you can’t add to it. Similarly, if you’re a medical professional looking to diversify your knowledge, improve your career opportunities, and boost your resume’s worth, acquiring a certification in fields like IV is an excellent decision.

That enhances your patient skills, making you an even more important asset to your workplace. In addition, having an IV certification pays off significantly, especially in contemporary times, for several reasons.

For starters, the remarkable expansion of the healthcare industry and growing diseases mean more demand for IV technicians. Plus, having a certification from an accredited organization like National Live Association means access to better hands-on and theoretical knowledge on handling intravenous activities. You can document, communicate, and deliver your job responsibilities better, becoming one of the key personnel at your workplace.

So, as you consider appearing for your national exam and achieving your Intravenous Certification through National Live Association, here’s a quick session. Below we address the essential details you must know before preparing for the National IV Exam.

Where Do Certified IV Professionals Work?

As an IV technician, you’re primarily in charge of catheter insertion or removal from a patient’s vein through a needle. Once you become a certified Intravenous technician, you can find jobs in hospitals, clinics, chemotherapy clinics, private patient homes, and doctors’ offices.

Skills Required By IV Technicians

You don’t need to have prior education or work experience as solely an intravenous expert. Instead, getting an IV certification comes in handy for several fields, including EMTs, medical assistants, LPNs, and LVNs. That ensures you get higher salary packages- due to your additional specializations and more exposure in the medical industry.

Ideally, healthcare organizations prefer well-trained and skilled IV technicians. Some must-have skills include:

  • Detail-orientation
  • Complete understanding of medical terminology and jargon
  • Exceptional and compassionate patient-caring skills
  • Procedure management and documentation
  • Time-flexibility to manage odd working hours (during weekends or night shifts)

IV Certification- Course Overview

Often, acquiring additional certifications can be challenging when you’ve got to work and study simultaneously. But here. At the National Live Association, we pay particular attention to simplifying your schedules and offer you the best solution. Therefore, our IV certification is 100% online training with recorded tutorials, official study guides, and practice exams at your disposal.

Our course is all-inclusive, enabling you to grasp every critical aspect of Intravenous knowledge and skills. There are several modules, all targeting the primary details you must know for maximum patient safety. Some essential themes you will learn during the training include:

  • Improving and maintaining smooth communication with your supervisors, nurses, and physicians about patient health
  • Promoting safe and healthy practices like sterilizing equipment and gloves for sterile results
  • Application and monitoring of IV fluids in the medical workplace

National IV Exam and Acquiring Membership

You must score at least 85% to pass your National IV Examination. To ensure your National IV Membership renewal, you must work at least six months every two years as an IV Technician, appear and clear the National IV Recertification exam once every two years, and ensure at least 20 CEUs in IV Interpretation that is held biyearly.

Enroll Today!

Register for your National IV Course to appear for your exam and begin your journey as an IV Technician right away! In case of queries, click on our website to read more about our review course and examination options or send us your messages through our online contact form. You can even call us at (800) 805-2386 to talk to our representatives live.

The National Live Association is one click away!