Registered Nurse First Assistant; RNFA), Heart Surgery; CVOR

Position Title Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), Open Heart Surgery (CVOR) Job Description Purpose & Scope

The RN First Assistant renders direct patient care as part of the perioperative role by assisting the surgeon in the surgical treatment of the patient. This is accomplished under the direct supervision of the Attending Surgeon and in accordance with the goals of the department of Surgery and Philosophy of the Division of nursing and the policy of the medical staff.

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing is required.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing is preferred.
• Certificate in First Assisting course is required.

• Four years of experience in the operating room is required.
• Demonstrated leadership ability is required.

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse by the Virginia Department of Health Professions or compact state licensure in nursing is required.
• BLS certification required.
• Certification in Perioperative Nursing to be obtained within 12 months.
• CRNFA preferred.

Registered Nurses on designated units are required to maintain certain certifications. New to practice area nurses or new graduates have 1 year to complete the specialty requirements below.

• ACLS: ED, ICU, CVICU, Cardiac Cath Lab, Cardiopulmonary Rehab, Bronch Suite, Interventional Radiology, Radiology Safety Nurses, Step down Units (3A, 3B, 4B), 6A, 6B, 7A, Labor and Delivery, Hemodialysis, Respiratory Therapy, Float pool, GI Unit, and PACU
• PALS: PACU:
  Pediatric Nurses, ED
• NRP: NICU, Mother Baby, Labor and Delivery
• De‑escalation training: BHU, ED

Per policy ACLS or PALS cards stand as showing competence in BLS Skills per American Heart Association Guidelines. If an employee holds current ACLS or PALS certification, this meets the requirement for BLS in their job description. They do not need to also carry a separate BLS certification.