What Does a Home Infusion Nurse Do?

Home infusion nurses are responsible for administering intravenous medications and other treatments to patients in their homes. They work closely with doctors, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that all treatments are administered properly and on schedule.

Home infusion nurses must have a strong knowledge of medical terminology and procedures. They also need to be able to communicate clearly with both patients and their families about the treatment plan and any concerns they may have.

Home Infusion Nurse Job Duties

Home infusion nurses have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Communicate with physicians to obtain orders for medications, treatments, and tests
• Provide education to patients regarding their condition, medications, and expected outcomes of treatment
• Monitor patient’s response to treatments and adjust medications accordingly
• Coordinate with other health care professionals such as social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants to ensure that the patient receives all necessary care during home visits
• Monitor the condition of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease who require regular infusions of medications or treatments at home
• Maintain equipment used in infusions, including pumps, tubing, catheters, IV bags, bandages, and sterile solution containers
• Administer medications orally or by injection to patients who are unable to take them by mouth
• Provide emotional support to patients and their families during treatment
• Keep records of treatments given and monitor patient progress

Home Infusion Nurse Salary & Outlook

Home infusion nurses’ salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the company size and geographic location.

• Median Annual Salary: $85,000 ($40.87/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $122,000 ($58.65/hour)

The employment of home infusion nurses is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

As the large baby-boom population ages, more people will need treatments for chronic conditions, such as cancer and diabetes, that require regular infusions of medications or fluids. In addition, technological advances have made it easier for patients to receive these treatments at home rather than in a healthcare facility.

Home Infusion Nurse Job Requirements

Home infusion nurses typically need to have the following qualifications:

Education: Home infusion nurses are typically required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Some employers may accept an associate’s degree in nursing or a related field.

Nurses can earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing in four years. The first two years of the program are spent in the classroom, and the last two years are spent in a clinical setting. The program includes courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, nursing, psychology, ethics and law.

Training & Experience: Home infusion nurses receive most of their training on the job. They may work as a nurse in a hospital or clinic before becoming a home infusion nurse. They may also work as a home health aide before becoming a home infusion nurse.

Certifications & Licenses: To advance your career and increase your earning potential, you may want to pursue certifications. Some schools offer certification programs for home infusion nurses.

Home Infusion Nurse Skills

Home infusion nurses need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Home infusion nurses must be able to communicate with patients, other medical professionals and their patients’ families. They must be able to explain the treatment process and answer any questions their patients may have. They must also be able to communicate with other medical professionals to ensure their patients receive the care they need.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Home infusion nurses must have empathy to help their patients feel comfortable and cared for. Empathy can also help you understand your patients’ needs and provide them with the best care possible.

Compassion: Home infusion nurses must have compassion for their patients. They must be able to understand the challenges their patients face and offer them comfort and support. Home infusion nurses must also be compassionate to their patients’ families, as they often spend a lot of time with them.

Organization: Home infusion nurses often work with multiple patients at once, so it’s important for them to be able to organize their time and resources effectively. This can help them ensure they meet all of their patients’ needs and keep track of their patients’ medical records. It’s also important for them to be organized when preparing their patients’ medications, as this can help them ensure their patients receive the correct doses.

Technological skills: Home infusion nurses may use a variety of technological skills to perform their job duties. They may use computers to track patient information, use software to create treatment plans and use medical equipment that requires electrical power. Technological skills can help home infusion nurses perform their job duties efficiently and safely.

Home Infusion Nurse Work Environment

Home infusion nurses work in patients’ homes, providing them with intravenous (IV) therapy and other treatments. They also work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Home infusion nurses typically work full time, but some may work part time. They may work evenings, weekends, and holidays, and they may be on call. Home infusion nurses may have to travel to patients’ homes, which may be in different parts of the city or state.

Home Infusion Nurse Trends

Here are three trends influencing how home infusion nurses work. Home infusion nurses will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of Home Healthcare

The growth of home healthcare is a trend that is quickly changing the way that patients are cared for. With more and more people choosing to receive care in their own homes, nurses will need to adapt by providing services that meet the needs of these patients.

Home infusion nurses can be an essential part of this shift by providing patient-centered care that meets the needs of both the patient and the family. They can also help to educate families on how to manage the care process at home.

Patient Advocacy Will Be More Important Than Ever

As patients become more informed about their options for treatment, they will demand more from their healthcare providers. This includes nurses who provide home infusion therapy.

Home infusion nurses will need to be able to communicate effectively with patients in order to ensure that they are receiving the care that they need. They will also need to be familiar with the latest treatments and technologies so that they can recommend the best options for each patient.

More Collaboration Between Nurses and Other Health Professionals

Nurses are increasingly collaborating with other health professionals in order to provide better care for patients.

This trend is being driven by the increasing complexity of medical care, which requires nurses to work together with other professionals in order to provide the best possible care. As home infusion nurses become more involved in this type of collaboration, they will need to learn how to work with other professionals in order to provide the best possible care for patients.

How to Become a Home Infusion Nurse

A career as an infusion nurse can be very rewarding. It offers the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, and it provides a chance to work with a variety of patients and medical conditions.

To become an infusion nurse, you will need to complete a nursing degree program and pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN). You will also need to obtain certification in intravenous (IV) therapy. This can be done through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the Infusion Nursing Certification Board (INCB).

Advancement Prospects

Home infusion nurses typically advance in their careers by taking on more responsibility within their organization. As they gain experience, they may be promoted to positions such as supervisor or manager. Some home infusion nurses may eventually open their own business.

Home Infusion Nurse Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide home infusion nursing services to patients who are unable to receive treatment in a traditional hospital or clinic setting. We are seeking a qualified and experienced home infusion nurse to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong clinical background, excellent communication and customer service skills, and a commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. He or she will be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of home infusion nursing care for assigned patients, as well as providing education and support to patients and their families.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve patients by assessing their nursing needs, developing and implementing nursing care plans, and evaluating the efficacy of these plans
• Educate patients and families about disease process, medications, side effects, and expected outcomes of therapy
• Collaborate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to develop individualized patient care plans
• Monitor patients for changes in condition and response to therapy, making adjustments to the plan of care as needed
• Administer intravenous medications and therapies, including parenteral nutrition, hydration, and pain management
• Perform venipuncture and catheter insertion/removal procedures
• Collect laboratory specimens and monitor lab values
• Document patient progress, interventions, and responses in the medical record
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives to ensure optimal patient outcomes
• Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based practice and infusion therapies
• Serve as a resource to patients, families, and staff regarding home infusion nursing best practices
• Participate in on-call rotation as needed

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Registered nurse with valid state license
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred
• 1+ year of professional nursing experience, home health care or hospice preferred
• Infusion nursing certification (CRNI) preferred
• IV therapy experience
• Excellent clinical assessment skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional nursing experience, home health care or hospice preferred
• Experience with electronic medical records
• Familiarity with Medicare regulations
• Professional certification in wound care