Registered Nurse; RN) First Assist

Position Title

Registered Nurse (RN) First Assist
- Full Time
- Days

The RNFA functions collaboratively as a member of the Surgery Team, coordinating intra-operative patient care for the surgical patients. The RNFA should be proficient in the use of and knowledgeable of instruments, equipment, and supplies used in the surgical setting. The RNFA assists the surgeon with various surgical duties to include suturing, tissue exposure, limited stapling, and hemostasis as directed by the surgeon.

The duties and responsibilities of the RNFA are performed under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon who must be readily available. He/she participates in patient and family teaching, provides leadership by working cooperatively with other healthcare personnel, and maintains standards for professional nursing practice in the clinical setting.

• Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to maintain the sterile environment and to minimize potential for infection by:
  • performing excellent aseptic technique
  • ensuring sterility of items prior to placing on sterile field
  • controlling traffic in/out of the OR suite
  • prepping patient using proper technique
  • observing for breaks in sterile technique
  • good hand hygiene
• Demonstrates responsibility for the care of the patient in the OR: plans patient care appropriate for each patient, acts as patient advocate and promotes safe care, communicates effectively with team members, directs team members with time management and necessary tasks, performs necessary requirements, manages room turnover efficiently.
• Knowledgeable about surgical procedures and techniques: ensures proper supplies and equipment are available prior to the start of procedures and utilizes each appropriately, updates preference cards, accurately documents and charges appropriately, functions independently, and willingly precepts new employees.
• Acts professionally and communicates appropriately when interacting with patients, family members, nurses, and other medical professionals.
• Coordinates patient care through effective and professional communications with physicians, nursing, and ancillary staff.
• Handles specimens in a safe manner and according to policy. Assures all specimens are verified at the conclusion of the procedure, are properly labeled, and transported to the labeled in a timely manner.
• Functions in the role of the circulating nurse and/or scrub person as assigned.
• Under the direction of the operating surgeon, demonstrates ability to:
  • provide hemostasis by clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, ligating vessels
  • provide exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning, and sponging techniques
  • handle of tissue
  • perform sharp tissue dissection
  • suture the fascia, subcutaneous tissue and skin. May close the skin with automatic stapler.
• Postoperatively evaluates the patient and may participate in post-operative activities such as suture or drain removal.

Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department. These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

• Associate Degree Nursing
• 1 or more years of surgery scrub experience

• Completion of an approved RN First Assistant program

• Licensed Registered Nurse (LRN) - Single State
  - State Board of Nursing upon Hire OR
• Licensed Registered Nurse (LRN) - Multi-State
  - State Board of Nursing upon…