Surgical First Assist

Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) – Surgery

Education Requirements:

Graduate of an accredited school of Professional Nursing (BSN preferred). Licensed by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Current certification in BLS and ACLS. Successful completion of an RNFA education program.

Experience:

Minimum of two (2) years perioperative nursing experience in the operating room. Prior experience as a scrub and circulating nurse preferred. Demonstrated competency in surgical first assisting techniques.

Required Skills:

Must use a holistic approach to nursing care. Must demonstrate excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills. Must demonstrate competency in advanced perioperative and first assisting skills including tissue handling, providing exposure, hemostasis, suturing, and wound management. Must possess the ability to learn and apply advanced surgical techniques. Must be familiar with all facets of surgical technology and patient care for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

May seek advancement through approved educational degrees, certifications, or national certification.

Physical Demands:
Good physical and mental health. Must be able to lift, bend, pull, and push using good body mechanics, without limitations. Must possess visual acuity with corrective lenses to read printed material and visualize patients to the degree that changes in color or respirations can be detected; hearing ability with auditory aids to understand the normal speaking voice without viewing the speaker and auscultation of the chest using a stethoscope;

and speaking ability to ask and answer pertinent questions and relay information. Must demonstrate the ability to wear properly fitting respiratory protective mask for periods of time without limitations. Able to work under supervision or independently as directed by the situation. Must be able to work under stressful conditions. Must demonstrate physical capacity, visual acuity, dexterity, and fine motor skills necessary to provide first-assisting behaviors to the surgeon.

Supervises:
May provide guidance to surgical technology students and nursing personnel assigned to the team as directed.

Supervised By:
Director of Surgery, Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Manager, Surgery Schedule Coordinator; functions intraoperatively under the direct supervision of the attending Surgeon.

Performance Standards:
Organization Wide Maintains a professional image. Makes a conscientious effort to help maintain a clean, safe and secure environment. Assumes responsibility for institutional requirements.

Customer Service Interpersonal skills Demonstrates pride in the organization. Strives to work well as a team member.

RNFA Core Functions as a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) in the Operating Room under the direct supervision of the attending surgeon. Collaborates with the surgeon and perioperative team to achieve optimal patient outcomes throughout the perioperative continuum. Does not concurrently function as a scrub person or RN circulator while performing in the RNFA role. Preoperative Responsibilities Performs focused preoperative nursing assessments in collaboration with the surgeon and care team.

Reviews patient history, procedure details, laterality, implant needs, and equipment requirements. Assists with patient positioning, prepping, and draping of the surgical site as directed by the surgeon. Communicates and collaborates regarding the patient's plan of care. Intraoperative Responsibilities Provides safe and effective surgical site exposure using retractors and tissue positioning techniques. Handles and/or cuts tissue under the direction of the surgeon.

Provides safe and effective hemostasis using appropriate techniques and devices. Correctly use surgical instruments and medical devices according to manufacturer instructions for use. Performs suturing and wound management as directed by the surgeon. Postoperative Responsibilities Supports dressing selection and application per surgeon preference. Assesses skin condition, tissue perfusion, and healing progress of the surgical wound. Communicates…