Registered Nurse RN - RNFA

Surgery Department RN First Assistant

Overview Wage Range: $46.78 - $79.58 Per-Diem

Definition of Position: Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the OR and other areas of perioperative services for all patient populations. Functions as an RN first assistant during operative and other invasive procedures and throughout the perioperative continuum in accordance with scope of practice credentials, privileges, experience, education, and competency verification.

Responsibilities Essential Job Functions:

• Assess patients at intervals in accordance with facility or health care organization policies and procedures.
• Participate in preoperative assessment and planning for surgical patients specific to RNFA activities (e.g. anatomical exposure, wound closure) in collaboration with perioperative team members.
• Develop an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.
• Implement the plan of care by Protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources.
• Participating in accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items.
• Performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient's procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level.
• Assisting with management of the patient's specimens as necessary.
• Communicating the patient's status to relevant parties throughout the continuum of care.
• Administering medications safely and correctly.
• Performing interventions to maintain the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels.
• Performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient's genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels.
• Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period.
• Performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection.
• Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person.
• Providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure.
• Involving the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative care and the rehabilitation process.
• Protecting the patients' rights, dignity, and privacy.
• Providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice.
• Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.
• Function as an RN first assistant during operative and other invasive procedures by Providing exposure through correct use of instruments, retractors, suction, and sponging techniques.
• Handling and dissecting tissues in collaboration with the surgeon.
• Clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, and ligating vessels in collaboration with the surgeon.
• Placing drains as directed by the surgeon.
• Suturing muscle, fascia, subcutaneous, and skin in collaboration with the surgeon.
• Follow selected surgical patients postoperatively specific to RNFA activities (e.g. postoperative rounding, dressing changes) in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Evaluate the patient's progress toward attaining outcomes.
• Transfer care as applicable.
• Delegate tasks according to the state Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions.
• Document nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly.
• Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as applicable.
• Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects.
• Participate in the performance appraisal process.
• Use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members.
• Serve as an educator, mentor, consultant, and resource to peers, colleagues, and others in relation to RNFA activities.
• Maintain regulatory, credentialing, and privileging requirements required for practice as an RNFA.
• Participate in ongoing educational and competency verification activities applicable to RN and RNFA activities.
• Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
• The employee supports the hospital mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in required education for DNV programs as applicable to position (reference program education curriculum).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: Required: Graduate from an accredited school of nursing. Preferred: Bachelor's degree in nursing.

Licenses/certifications/registrations: Required: BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, CNOR Preferred: RN First Assistant certification

Experience: Required: 2 years of Surgical experience. Preferred: 2 years of RNFA experience.

Other: NA

Physical Requirements:

The physical and sensory functions described below are essential to the successful performance of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

The position requires sufficient auditory ability to detect and respond to various sounds, including patient alarms and verbal communication. Clear and effective communication is essential, as is the ability to interact with patients, families, and healthcare team members. Visual acuity is necessary for observing patient conditions, reading documentation and monitors, and distinguishing colors for clinical purposes, such as identifying medications or safety indicators. Tactile perception is also important for assessing physical characteristics such as temperature, size, shape, or texture during patient care. Motor coordination is required for reaching, grasping, handling, and performing fine motor tasks necessary for the use of medical equipment and procedures. The position also involves occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling when assisting patients or accessing equipment. Walking and standing are typically continuous throughout the shift. The role requires the ability to lift to 50 pounds independently and involves frequent pushing, pulling, carrying, or repositioning of objects or patients weighing up to 25 pounds. There may also be occasional lifting or transferring of individuals weighing over 100 pounds, with the expectation that appropriate lifting techniques, mechanical aids, or team assistance will be used to ensure safety. May to sit for long periods of time.

Working Conditions:

This position is performed primarily in an indoor healthcare environment, such as a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility. While the work setting is protected from outdoor weather conditions, it may be subject to variable indoor temperatures. The role involves frequent exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, hazardous materials, and medical equipment, with the expectation that all staff follow appropriate safety protocols and utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. The health care environment can be fast-paced and unpredictable, requiring the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances, including high-pressure or emergency situations. The work setting also involves multiple simultaneous demands and varying levels of noise due to medical equipment, staff activity, and patient needs.