Proposal for Recognition of Vascular Access Certification For PICC Nurses at Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center Jeri Bari RN, Rita Ellson RN, Regina Fox RN, Dawn Ingram RN September 24, 2012

VACC Certification The Vascular Access Certification Corporation (VACC) offers certification which is specific to those specialists such as physician’s, registered nurses, and others who perform vascular access. This proposal is submitted specifically for the registered nurses who perform peripherally inserted central catheter’s (PICC’s) who are currently employed at Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center, PICC Services Department. This certification establishes minimal competency standards in the specialty of PICC insertion and offers recognition to those who have met the standards. VACC certification is for the primary purpose of protecting the public by providing safe and responsible practice through a means of measurement of current skills and knowledge through this standardized comprehensive examination, which is specifically designed in meeting the criteria of those nurses who are working in the field of vascular access. The credential awarded to these nurses who sit for and pass the VACC exam will be “Vascular Access-Board Certified “(VA-BC).

Test Administration The VACC exam is computer-based and is offered twice per year, in June and December, at Prometric Centers, which are located throughout the United States. The Prometric Center is an independently owned educational testing facility. Candidates have three hours to complete this exam which consists of 130 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam ranges from $300.00- $500.00 depending upon if the applicant is a member of the American Vascular Association (AVA), and if the applicant is applying and paying during an early/final registration time. Certification is awarded for three years. Recertification will be granted upon completion of 30 continuing education credits, specified by the Vascular Access Certification Corporation. Why VACC? This certification is specific for nurses who are specialists in vascular access, such as PICC line insertion. The VA-BC credential is on the list of acceptable certifications by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program (ANCC). It is also listed on the Veterans Administration approved listing for nursing certifications. The VACC Exam is specific to those professionals, including PICC/Vascular Access Nurses and their field of expertise. The VACC Exam is composed of the following questions/categories:

Domains of Practice # of items on test Percent I Vascular Access Devices 25 25% II Vascular Access Device Mgt 25 25% III Devices and Supplies 10 10% IV Clinical Theory 30 30% V Communication/Patient Advocacy 5 5% VI Research/Quality Management 5 5%

The previously discussed certification for PICC nurses was the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC) exam. This certification is specific to professionals including registered nurses who practice in the field of infusion therapy. The INCC exam consists of the following testing categories which do not include categories specific to the nurse who’s role is PICC insertion/Vascular Access: 38 Technology and Clinical 5.3% questions Applications 20 Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy 13.3% questions 20 Pharmacology 13.3% questions 20 Infection Prevention 13.3% questions 16 Antineoplastic/Biologic Therapy 10.6% questions 10 Parenteral Nutrition 6.6% questions Quality Improvement 10 6.6% questions Pediatrics 8 questions 5.3% Transfusion Therapy 8 questions 5.3%

Reference Vascular Access Certification Corporation (VACC). (2012). http://www.avainfo.org/website/article.asp?id=270353