I teach RTs all the time. Their strengths are in sterile technique and the overall procedure since they work closely with the physicians prior to learning independent insertion. The weaknesses are with indications, follow-up with care and complication management. Those RTs that are not licensed work under the license of their physician and hospital policy.
Nancy Moureau, BSN, CRNI PICC Excellence, Inc. 888-714-1951 www.piccexcellence.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lynn Hadaway Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 9:41 AM To: joyce varhola; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: PICC PLACEMENT BY RADIOLOGY TECHS Rad techs may or may not be required to have a state license - depends upon your state laws. The board of nursing would have nothing to say about their practice. There is a professional organization and they do have standards and guidelines - all can be found at www.asrt.org. The holistic patient assessment piece will be missing from the rad techs practice, and to me this is a huge missing piece. I have had many techs in the classes I teach and hold them accountable for the same information as the nurse. If I am precepting a tech, I would expect the same from them as a nurse. Also, if the tech is going to the bedside, they must learn nursing processes for PICC insertion. So I don't think it is appropriate for a physician to precept them. The nursing procedures are quite different from the insertion processes used by radiologist when they have fluoroscopy, longer wires, etc. Lynn At 9:51 PM -0700 9/12/06, joyce varhola wrote: >Hi, > I am presently giving PICC classes and mentoring RNs in >a hospital (I am a contracted RN). The DON, DOES NOT want >a dedicated PICC team, but a large number of RNs trained for bedside >PICCs, primarily ICU & IMC RNs. I have submitted info pro dedicated >PICC team. > In my next class in two weeks, there is a radiology tech enrolled. He >presently places PICCs and I understand, also goes to the nursing units >with the unltrasound & starts difficult IVs. I hear that he is quite >good and had placed PICCs in CA. Her wants to have the didactic of the >class and plans to do bedside PICCs. I understand that our state >doesn't take a stand on this. Also, DON feels that it is okay. > My question is how many states are there that the rad techs >place PICCs? Who does the mentoring of these individuals? >What kind of liabililty do I have as an RN, if I mentor this tech? >In the past whenI worked at another facility, the Interventional >Radiologist was reponsible for the Rad tech in special procedures >who was placing PICCs .I feel that the IR MD should be the one >to precept this individual, as they are not under nursings protocal. >I am completing skills check lists on all PICCs done per individual, >submitting them with a closing summary. > I called the State Board of Nursing re my mentoring and they >couldn't offer any information. Do the radiology techs placing PICCs >have any kind of guidelines, etc. like the RNs have? For example, >we have INS, Nurse Practice Act and Nevada State Board of Nursing >Practice Advisory Opinion. > I finally have a meeting scheduled with the Director of Nursing >Thursday morning to update her and discuss how the program is >going-as they totally put the cart before the horse! > I would appreciate any feedback that you can offer and can be >e-mailed at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thank you in advance. > Joyce -- Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RNC, CRNI Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc. 126 Main Street, PO Box 10 Milner, GA 30257 http://www.hadawayassociates.com office 770-358-7861
