Travel Nurse RN - First Assist - $2,640 per week

Encode INC is seeking a travel nurse RN First Assist for a travel nursing job in Akron, Ohio.

Job Description & Requirements

• Specialty: First Assist
• Discipline: RN
• Start Date: 07/05/2026
• Duration: 13 weeks
• 40 hours per week
• Shift: 8 hours, days
• Employment Type: Travel

Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) – Cardiothoracic Surgery (Open Heart)

Job Title: Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) – Open Heart/Cardiothoracic Surgery
Assignment Type: Long-Term Assignment (LTA)
Location: Akron Campus, Akron, Ohio
Department: Operating Room (OR)
Assignment Dates: July 5, 2026 – October 3, 2026
Shift: Monday–Friday, Flexible Schedule (Typically 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM; dependent on surgical case schedule)
On-Call Requirement: Yes, required
Experience Required: Minimum 2 years of RNFA Cardiothoracic/Open Heart Surgery experience

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) with advanced cardiothoracic surgical expertise to join a high-performing Operating Room team. The RNFA will function as the primary surgical assistant during complex open-heart and cardiovascular procedures, collaborating closely with cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and perioperative staff to ensure exceptional patient outcomes.

The ideal candidate must have extensive experience assisting in open-heart surgeries , including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair and replacement procedures, aortic surgeries, and ECMO-related interventions.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary surgical assistant during cardiothoracic and open-heart surgical procedures.
• Provide first-assist support for:
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
  • Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement
  • Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement
  • Tricuspid Valve Repair and Replacement
  • Ascending Aortic Replacement Procedures
  • ECMO Cannulation and Related Procedures
• Perform endoscopic and/or open vein harvesting for CABG procedures as required.
• Assist with surgical exposure, tissue handling, retraction, hemostasis, suturing, and wound closure.
• Anticipate surgeon needs and maintain efficient surgical workflow throughout procedures.
• Ensure adherence to sterile technique, infection prevention protocols, and patient safety standards.
• Participate in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient care activities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary surgical teams to optimize patient outcomes.
• Respond to emergency surgical cases and participate in required on-call rotation.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program.
• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current RN First Assistant (RNFA) certification/training.
• Minimum 2 years of recent Cardiothoracic/Open Heart RNFA experience.
• Demonstrated experience serving as primary assistant in complex cardiovascular surgeries.
• Experience harvesting saphenous vein for CABG procedures.
• Strong knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy, surgical techniques, and perioperative practices.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• NIH Stroke Scale Certification

Required Compliance & Screening

• Nursys License Verification
• License/Certification Verification
• Driver's License or State ID
• Criminal Background Check
• Drug Screening
• OIG/EPLS Verification
• Education Verification

Required Health Documentation

• COVID-19 Vaccination
• Influenza Vaccination
• Hepatitis B
• MMR
• Varicella
• Tdap
• 2-Step PPD or IGRA (Quantiferon/T-Spot)
• Annual TB Questionnaire
• Fit Test
• Health Statement
• Positive PPD Documentation with Negative Chest X-Ray (if applicable)

Facility Assessments

• Summa Competency Exam
• Summa Skills Checklist
• Summa EKG/Telemetry Exam
• Summa Pharmacology Exam
• Summa Core Competencies

About Encode INC

At Encode, we empower organizations and individuals through innovative, human-centric workforce and technology solutions. With decades of experience and a proven track record, we deliver more than just healthcare staffing, we provide integrated, strategic support across industries, with particular strength in federal and government contracts.

Benefits

• 401k retirement plan
• Vision benefits
• Dental benefits
• Referral bonus
• Life insurance
• Medical benefits