The present invention is a simple-to-use IV placement assist device with a base, finger interfaces extending from the base, and mechanical means to engage a needle hub. A catheter advancer is slidably integrated with the base to guide advancement of a catheter linearly along the insertion plane defined by the orientation of the base. In addition, a stabilizer component comprising a traction pad and means of constraining unintended movements of the needle and catheter, which is placed on the patients skin, may be used along with the base and catheter advancer. The IV placement assist device stabilizes and guides the critical needle insertion and catheter advancement steps of a complication-prone and very common procedure.
