Registered Nurse First Assist; RNFA - Operating Room

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States and is the number one hospital in North Carolina, according to U.S. News and World Report for . Duke University Hospital is the largest of Duke Health's three hospitals and features 1048 patient beds, 65 operating rooms, as well as comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Join one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers and help shape the future of surgical excellence.
At Duke University Hospital, our Operating Room is home to cutting-edge procedures, world-renowned surgeons, and a collaborative perioperative environment that empowers nurses to practice at the top of their profession. We invite you to bring your expertise and passion for surgical care to our RN First Assistant team.

Shift: 10hr shifts

General Description

The Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) plays a critical role in supporting continuity of care for perioperative patients across the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. As a key member of the surgical team, the RNFA helps optimize surgical workflow, enhance patient safety, and elevate clinical outcomes.

This highly skilled role provides:

• Expert intraoperative first assistance
• Support and education for surgical residents
• Second assist when needed across a variety of surgical specialties
• Leadership and clinical guidance for perioperative staff
• Seamless coordination of care for patients of all ages

In this fast-paced academic environment, RNFAs at Duke have the opportunity to participate in complex and innovative surgical procedures while contributing to an exceptional patient and team experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

The RNFA functions autonomously and collaboratively alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, residents, and perioperative staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct preoperative assessments and screenings
• Participate in planning and coordination of individualized care plans
• Collaborate and communicate with the surgical team
• Write preoperative orders according to established protocols

Provide skilled and safe intraoperative assistance, including:

• Using surgical instruments and medical devices
• Providing optimal exposure for the surgical field
• Handling and/or cutting tissues
• Achieving hemostasis
• Suturing and closing incisions
• Anticipating surgical needs to support efficient workflow

Note:

The RNFA does not simultaneously function as the Scrub Nurse.

• Write postoperative orders and operative notes based on protocol
• Participate in postoperative rounds and clinical evaluation
• Assist with discharge planning and transitions of care
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support positive outcomes

The RNFA ensures that patients receive comprehensive nursing management throughout the perioperative phase while supporting the mission of high-quality, evidence-based care at Duke.

Required Qualifications Education

• BSN required; MSN preferred
• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing
• Completion of an RNFA program based on AORN’s Core Curriculum with supervised clinical practice

• Minimum of 3 years of perioperative nursing experience required

• Current or compact RN license in North Carolina
• BLS required
• CNOR certification required
• RNFA certification must be obtained within 2 years of employment

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong clinical knowledge of perioperative technologies and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to educate and mentor perioperative staff
• A thorough understanding of the surgical cases in which they assist
• High-level competency in circulating and scrubbing
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and…