Certification in Vascular Access
Lois Davis, RN, MSN, Director Vascular Access Certification Corporation Program
The Association for Vascular Access (AVA) is an association of healthcare professionals founded in 1985 to promote vascular access as an emerging specialty. After several years of exploration, AVA recognized the need for a certification exam that would reflect vascular access as a distinct clinical specialty practice. The Vascular Access Certification Corporation (VACC), the credentialing arm of AVA, was developed in 2009 to meet that need. It is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the validation, through certification, of a specialized body of knowledge for all professionals working in the field of vascular access.
VACC Certification
Certification is a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental agency formally recognizes specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in a designated area. It establishes minimum competency standards in the specialty and offers recognition for those who have met the standards. To become certified, a professional must take a standardized comprehensive examination that measures current skills and knowledge.
VACC offers the industry’s first certification for all healthcare professionals engaged in the practice and education of vascular access. It is multi-disciplinary in scope, and creates a level of awareness with patient safety organizations. The exam is designed for all health care professionals involved in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care and needs of patients who require vascular access in the course of their care; or professionals working in a field that complements vascular access, such as educators, administrators, infection control professionals, and nutrition support professionals.
Why This Is Important to You
The field of vascular access is growing and changing at an alarming rate. In addition to being used for home parenteral nutrition (HPN), vascular access devices (VADs) are used for medication and blood administration, as well as diagnostic support. Devices are being inserted by specially trained nurses and physicians, but also by trained respiratory therapists and technicians. After insertion, these devices are being cared for by many different people on patient floors and in outpatient settings.
Specialization improves patient outcomes and satisfaction; reduces healthcare associated infections and healthcare costs; and improves the quality of healthcare. The more knowledgeable a professional, the better they can recognize problems and intervene appropriately. This results in fewer medical errors. Certification assures patients that a facility is staffed by highly competent professionals with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Is Your Vascular Access Professional Certified?
As of November 2011, VACC
has certified close to 700 professionals in vascular access in the United States
and Canada. Another 360 people are taking the exam in December 2011. A list of
certified individuals can be found on the VACC Web site,
www.vacert.org. You will recognize your
certified vascular access professional by the letters VA-BC (Vascular Access
Board Certified) next to their name. If they do not have that, send them to the
VACC Web site for information.
LifelineLetter, November/December 2011