RN - First Assistant

Operating Room Nurse First Assistant

Central to all that California has to offer, Adventist Health Bakersfield has been providing an extraordinary team of world-class physicians, top-notch medical technology, caring professionals and award-winning quality since 1910. We are comprised of a 254-bed acute care hospital and 20 primary and specialty care medical offices. As one of America's fastest growing cities, Bakersfield offers affordable housing on the West Coast, beautiful weather, high-quality education and it is just a few hours away from Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, the Central California Coast and Southern California's great sports, theaters, concerts and amusement parks.

Organizes and facilitates the patient while in the Operating Room (OR). Coordinates the overall care of patient between surgeon, anesthesiologist and room staff. Functions as a first assistant during surgical incision, excision, and repair of pathology throughout the perioperative period on procedures for which privileges have been granted. Participates in preoperative assessment and planning for selected surgical patients in collaboration with the healthcare team members in the preoperative location. Regularly demonstrates subject matter expertise regarding medication, treatment and patient care standards.

Completion of an RNFA program that meets AORN standards: Required. Two years' perioperative nursing experience: Preferred. Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of practice: Required. Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) certification in the state of practice: Preferred. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required. Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification: Required. Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Status (PEARS)/Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Preferred. Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) membership: Preferred. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required. AHA-ACLS or ARC-ALS: Required.

Performs circulating and scrubbing duties. Verbally confirms surgical site/side before induction of anesthesia. Accurately performs all sponge, needle, sharp and instrument counts at appropriate time and according to department policy. Handles and dissects tissues in collaboration with the surgeon. Clamps blood vessels, coagulates bleeding points, ligates vessels, and performs other procedures in collaboration with the surgeon. Sutures muscle, fascia, subcutaneous, and skin tissue in collaboration with the surgeon. Places drains as surgically indicated. Assists with cannulation and decannulation procedures, if indicated. Assists with transferring the patient to and from the operating room, positioning, prepping and draping.