Vascular Access Technician - Vain Team

MUSC Health; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

MUSC Health seeks Vascular Access Technician I–III to support the VAIN team in inpatient vascular access and phlebotomy services. They collaborate with RNs to prepare sterile fields, collect specimens, and provide clinical support while emphasizing patient-centered care and infection prevention.

Roles span entry to senior levels, with specific training and certification requirements. The position is hourly with a 40-hour work week and a focus on safety and cross-functional teamwork.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Completion of an accredited phlebotomy certificate program required; MUSC Health members hired before Oct 4, 2026 may have 25 phlebotomy collections accepted in lieu of certificate.
• Current American Heart Association BLS or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers required within first two weeks of hire.
• For VAT II: MUSC Safety Coach education required; one year VAT I or 0.6 FTE; phlebotomy experience for external candidates; BLS required within two weeks.
• For VAT III: MUSC Safety Coach + MUSC PIV training required; one year VAT II or two years phlebotomy for external candidates; BLS required within two weeks.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Infection control

Patient care

Team collaboration

Sterile technique

Specimen collection

Education

High school diploma or GED

Phlebotomy certificate program

MUSC Safety Coach education

MUSC PIV training program

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Vascular Access Technician (VAT) I supports the Vascular Access Insertion Nursing (VAIN) team by assisting with bedside vascular access procedures and performing phlebotomy services in an inpatient setting. This role emphasizes patient-centered care, safety, and adherence to infection prevention standards. The VAT collaborates closely with registered nurses to ensure efficient and high-quality vascular access services, including preparation of sterile fields, specimen collection, and clinical support tasks.

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Cost Center

CC000745 CHS - Vain Team (Vascular Accecss & Insertion Nursing) (Main)

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

Health-21

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Vascular Access Technician I minimum requirements:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Experience: Completion of an accredited phlebotomy certificate program required. For current MUSC Health team members hired before October 4, 2026, who are working in a PCT role, successful completion and validation of 25 phlebotomy collections may be accepted in place of an accredited phlebotomy certificate.
• Credentials: Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required within the first two weeks of hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

Vascular Access Technician II minimum requirements:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required. Completion of the MUSC Safety Coach education course is also required.
• Experience: Completion of an accredited phlebotomy certificate program required. For current MUSC Health team members working in a PCT role, successful completion and validation of 25 phlebotomy collections may be accepted in place of an accredited phlebotomy certificate.
• Candidates must also meet one of the following requirements:
• At least one year of clinical experience in a VAT I role while working at least a 0.6 FTE; or
• For external candidates, at least one year of phlebotomy experience.
  • External candidates must complete MUSC Safety Coach training within six months of hire.
  • Credentials: Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required within the first two weeks of hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

Vascular Access Technician III minimum requirements:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required. Completion of the MUSC Safety Coach education course and the MUSC PIV training program is also required.
• Experience: Completion of an accredited phlebotomy certificate program required. For current MUSC Health team members working in a PCT role, successful completion and validation of 25 phlebotomy collections may be accepted in place of an accredited phlebotomy certificate.
• Candidates must also meet one of the following requirements:
  • At least 1-year clinical experience in a VAT II role while working at least a 0.6 FTE; or
  • For external candidates, at least two years of phlebotomy experience.

External candidates must complete MUSC Safety Coach training within six months of hire. Credentials: Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required within the first two weeks of hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements

• Mobility & Posture
  • Standing: Continuous
  • Sitting: Continuous
  • Walking: Continuous
  • Climbing stairs: Infrequent
  • Working indoors: Continuous
  • Working outdoors (temperature extremes): Infrequent
  • Working from elevated areas: Frequent
  • Working in confined/cramped spaces: Frequent
  • Kneeling: Infrequent
  • Bending at the waist: Continuous
  • Twisting at the waist: Frequent
  • Squatting: Frequent
• Manual Dexterity & Strength
  • Pinching operations: Frequent
  • Gross motor use (fingers/hands): Continuous
  • Firm grasping (fingers/hands): Continuous
  • Fine manipulation (fingers/hands): Continuous
  • Reaching overhead: Frequent
  • Reaching in all directions: Continuous
  • Repetitive motion (hands/wrists/elbows/shoulders): Continuous
  • Full use of both legs: Continuous
  • Balance & coordination (lower extremities): Frequent
• Lifting & Force Requirements
  • Lift/carry 50 lbs. unassisted: Infrequent
  • Lift/lower 50 lbs. from floor to 36”: Infrequent
  • Lift up to 25 lbs. overhead: Infrequent
  • Exert up to 50 lbs. of force: Frequent
    • Examples:
      • Transfer 100 lb. non-ambulatory patient = 50 lbs. force
      • Push 400 lb. patient in wheelchair on carpet = 20 lbs. force
      • Push patient stretcher one-handed = 25 lbs. force
• Vision & Sensory
  • Maintain corrected vision 20/40 (one or both eyes): Continuous
  • Recognize objects (near/far): Continuous
  • Color discrimination: Continuous
  • Depth perception: Continuous
  • Peripheral vision: Continuous
  • Hearing acuity (with correction): Continuous
  • Tactile sensory function: Continuous
  • Gross motor with fine motor coordination: Continuous
  • Selected Positions:
    • Olfactory (smell) function: Continuous
    • Respirator use qualification: Continuous
• Work Environment & Conditions
  • Effective stress management: Continuous
  • Rotating shifts: Frequent
  • Overtime as required: Frequent
  • Latex-safe environment: Continuous

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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