Surgical First Assist; Physician Assistant​/RNFA

Position: Surgical First Assist (Physician Assistant/RNFA)
Location: Mt Rainier

The Surgical First Assist works in collaboration with the surgeon and the health care team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The Surgical First Assist must have acquired the necessary knowledge, judgment, and skills specific to the expanded role of the Surgical First Assist clinical practice. Intraoperatively, practices under the direction and guidance of the surgeon and does not concurrently functions as a scrub nurse.
The Surgical First Assist has the obligation and responsibility to refuse to perform any delegated act, whether oral or written, if not within the parameters of his/her defined role and licensure.
** Education
* * Successful Completion of Physician assistant program or an accredited course in RNFA first assisting program that meets the ‘AORN standards’
** Experience
* * Minimum of 1 year experience. Two (2) to three (3) years experience preferred.
** Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

*** Advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, surgical interventions, surgical techniques and surgical hazards relative to operative procedures.
* Advanced knowledge and skill in handling surgical instrumentation, in aiding in exposure, retraction, hemostasis, suctioning, tissue handling including dissecting, suturing, tying, stapling and stab wound.
* Analytical ability to conduct pre-operative and post-operative patient assessment, to evaluate physical and laboratory findings and to conduct patient teaching appropriate to age, background, psycho-social needs, medical/physical condition of the surgical patient.
* Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with surgical patients and their significant others to enlist their involvement and cooperation in the entire treatment process.
* Ability to perform effectively in stressful and emergency situations with behaviors that are unique to functioning as a first assistant.
** Licensures, Certifications
*** Current registration with the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses as a Registered Nurse or Licensed as a Physician Assistant by the Maryland Board of Physicians.
* Healthcare Provider (CPR Certification).
* ACLS preferred
* CRNFA certification preferred (if RNFA)
** Principal Duties and Responsibilities
*** Clinical competency
- Provided a safe, therapeutic core by collaboration with the surgeons and healthcare team in performing a safe operation with optimal outcomes for the patient.
* Teamwork – Communicates effectively and works cooperatively with others. Has respect for and understanding of clinical disciplines. Uses an integrated approach toward patient outcomes.
* Demonstrates effective communication skills.
* Delegates patient care activities to other healthcare team members and redirects unit activities to patient acuity and census changes.
* Using evidence based practice model to works with a multidisciplinary team to implement practice changes and other initiatives in a positive and productive manner.
* Assists the clinical partner/charge nurse by coordinating the staff and surgery schedule and handling day-to-day issues with positive outcomes. Assists as needed with the staffing schedule coverage to meet daily department needs.
* Assists with room set-up, opening supplies and room turn-over.
* Helps with lunches and breaks. Assists with patient positioning and safe transport of patient to the PACU.
* Assists staff to identify learning needs and helps to educate and train as needed.
* Acts as a preceptor.
* Collaborates with the team in keeping costs under control and controls wastage in the room with regard to supplies; promotes maximum productivity.
* Quality/Best practices – Utilizes standards, guidelines, and pathways for care delivery. Incorporates data and information to continuously improve care and practice to enhance outcomes.
* Acts as a leader or participates in quality improvement process.
* Professional development
- Ensures improvements in practice settings by assuming responsibility for self-development in life-long learning. Provides direction and guidance to others regarding practice, serves as a resource, preceptor, and mentor. Leadership skills demonstrated in decision making and problem solving.
* Demonstrates knowledge of procedures to which assigned.
* Participates in clinical decision making and modifies techniques based on clinical findings.
* Identifies normal and abnormal anatomy.
* Anticipates the needs of surgeon, steps in surgical procedure.
* Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates patient care needs.
* Interviews the patient and family preoperatively to assess patient care needs.
* Collaborates with the surgical team members to plan perioperative patient care.
* Communicates relevant date to team members.
* Reports lab results, x-rays. Diagnostic tests.
* Discusses procedures and special techniques to be implemented during surgery.
* Identifies any unusual instrumentation required.
* Analyzes critical situations and initiates appropriate corrective or preventative action.
* Applies principles of aseptic technique and reports any…