Operating Room Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA)

Operating Room Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA)

The Operating Room Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) provides direct advanced surgical care during the intra-operative phase for the regional Surgical Services department. Working in close collaboration with attending surgeons and the broader perioperative team, the RNFA delivers expert surgical assistance across elective, emergent, and urgent procedures. The ideal candidate will apply AORN standards, Oregon State licensure guidelines, and facility protocols across pre-operative assessment, intra-operative execution, and post-operative evaluation while participating in a regional on-call rotation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide knowledge-based technical assistance across all surgical specialties at the direction of the attending surgeon.
• Execute advanced intra-operative techniques, including tissue handling, surgical exposure, hemostasis, clamping, cutting, ligating, and suturing tissue as directed.
• Operate surgical instruments and medical devices while ensuring continuous sterile technique.
• Set up light sources, electrosurgical units (ESU), and suction systems for the sterile field; monitor free counted items throughout the procedure.
• Apply surgical dressings, secure drainage tubes, and manage specialized instrumentation and equipment.

Perioperative Patient Care & Workflow

• Conduct pre-operative patient assessments and evaluations, collaborating on the individualized plan of care.
• Participate actively in pre-op briefings and surgical "Time Out" safety procedures.
• Assist with patient transport, transfer, positioning, prepping, catheterization, shaving, and draping.
• Assist Anesthesia during induction and ensure patient X-rays/imaging are brought into the suite (notifying the Charge Nurse if missing).
• Perform post-operative patient evaluations, transfer, positioning, and patient/family education as required.
• Partner with Circulating Nurses and Scrub personnel on room set-up, tear-down, and room turnover to maximize surgical suite efficiency.

Communication & Safety

• Maintain continuous reassessment throughout the intra-operative period to adapt setup and care plans based on procedure type.
• Provide population-based, culturally sensitive, and courteous communication to patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Maintain a safe surgical environment and strictly comply with institutional policies and the Oregon Nurse Practice Act.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Certifications

• Education: Certificate of Completion from an AORN-recognized RNFA program meeting AORN Recommended Education Standards and CB.PMN acceptance criteria.
• Licensure: Active Registered Nurse (RN) License in the State of Oregon.
• Certifications Required:
  • Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) credential.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
  • Must maintain required Continuing Education credits to uphold CNOR and RN licensure.

Work Experience

• Minimum Required (Must-Have):
  • Minimum of two (2) years of perioperative scrubbing and circulating experience in an acute care Operating Room OR
  • Minimum of one (1) year of experience as an RNFA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of active practice as an RNFA.
• Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) designation.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification upon hire/transfer.