A mains electricity (AC-powered) and/or battery-powered (has rechargeable internal batteries) device used to rapidly detect and confirm the location and orientation of the tip of a compatible, peripherally-inserted central catheter (PICC) or central venous catheter (CVC) stylet containing one or more small, specially-oriented magnets encapsulated at the distal end. It provides rapid feedback to healthcare personnel on the positioning of the catheter/stylet during initial placement.