RNFA / Registered Nurse First Assist - Surgical Services - Full Time - Days - Full-time / Part-time

Functions as a primary clinician with a specific caseload of patients in conjunction with the surgical/medical plan.  Responsible for initiation, implementation and evaluation of nursing plan of care for a specific period of time with their primary focus on the first assisting role.  Serves the following age populations: adolescent, adult, geriatric.

 

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1.            Involves the physician, patient/family and health care team in collaborative decision-making to modify the patient care plan.  Serves the following age populations: adolescent, adult, geriatric.

A.            Plans individualized nursing care and evaluate patient response to plan of care within the realm of the perioperative role.

B.            Demonstrates effective organizational skills including priority-setting.

C.            Collaborates with physician and anesthesia about the care of the patient prior to surgery utilizing the nursing process.

D.            Demonstrates understanding of mechanism for unit problem-solving and is supportive of changes or actions taken to solve problems.

2.            Assesses patient status systematically to anticipate and respond to change in clinical condition.  Includes age-related needs in responding to clinical changes.

A.            Performs and documents thorough assessment and initiates appropriate action in response to assessment data.

B.            Assesses patient systematically prior to and during surgery.

3.            Recognizes and initiates appropriate action in critical situations.

A.            Able to summon assistance as necessary.  Stays with patient and initiates appropriate interventions as determined by situations.

B.            Readily locates and utilizes emergency equipment and supplies.

C.            Able to properly assist the physician with the plan of care.

D.            Adapts to changes of pace and remains functional in emergencies.

E.            Demonstrates improved performance in critical situations with successive experiences.

4.            Participates in planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care based on defined patient care plan, patient care policies, standards of care and age-related needs.

A.            Plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care based on individualized care plan for specific cases.

B.            Utilizes patient’s chart, physician’s preferences, standards of care and other pertinent data when implementing a plan of care.

C.            Evaluates care delivery on an ongoing basis; effects changes in care delivery when needed as indicated by patient response of care delivery when needed as indicated by patient response to care.

D.            Demonstrates knowledge of AORN Standards and departmental and hospital policy and procedures through care delivery and interaction with other health team members.

E.            Acquires necessary skills to perform new and changed procedures.

F.            Provides for patient safety by accurately performing nursing procedures.

5.            Serves as a role model when demonstrating skill and competence in performing nursing procedures.

A.            Maintains CPR certification.

B.            Mastery of appropriate first assisting techniques.

C.            Demonstrates skill in performing circulating, scrubbing, and first assisting duties in a variety of cases.  Maintain integrity of sterile field by utilizing aseptic technique and observation of surgical team.  Promptly addresses any brakes in sterile technique.

D.            Precepts new employees, students and other clinical staff as assigned.

E.            Maintains mastery in age-related competencies.

F.            Maintains mastery in Orthopedic and Spine surgical care.

6.            The first assistant shall assist the surgeon in the performance of a safe operation and shall function as a registered nurse first assistant only under the direct supervision of the surgeon.  Performs first assisting duties including but not limited to: handling tissue, providing exposure, using instruments, suturing and providing hemostasis.

7.            Maintains effective interpersonal relationships with other departments, physicians, management and other staff members.

A.            Motivated, takes self-initiative.

B.            Communicates effectively both verbally and non-verbally.

C.            Acts on suggestions/criticism positively.

D.            Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of patients/peers.

E.            Demonstrates good listening skills.

F.            Demonstrates appropriate customer service standards.

8.            Assumes responsibility for maintaining and upgrading own professional development.

A.            Takes initiative for continuing education within and outside the hospital.

B.            Is self-directed in upgrading and maintaining skills.

C.            Maintains CNOR.

D.            Maintains active membership in a professional nursing organization.

E.            Completes RNFA competency annually which includes confirmation from a surgeon through multiple-direct observations of the first assisting role.

9.            Conducts concurrent monitoring of Surgical Nurse, Certified Surgical Technologist and First Assistant roles.

A.            Participates in ongoing peer evaluations of roles in the O.R. to ensure productivity.

B.            Becomes involved with quality assurance program through monitoring of peers.

C.            Participates in advancing growth of knowledge surrounding patient care.

10.          Contributes to the development of unit policies, procedures and standards of care and age-related competencies.

A.            Demonstrates leadership skills and acts as a resource.

B.            Maintains current knowledge and understanding of unit policies, procedures, goals, and objectives.

C.            Takes initiative for problem-solving as appropriate.

D.            Takes initiative to provide articles and/or inform peers of continuing educational materials in order to promote and improve standards of care in the operating room.

E.            Contributes ideas and/or other pertinent information for in-services/projects.

11.          Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: Requires current licensure in the State of Ohio to practice professional nursing. 

Skills:

Years of Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of intraoperative clinical experience required.

License: Requires current licensure in the State of Ohio to practice professional nursing.

Certification: Must be BLS certified. Current specialty certification required (CNOR) issued by CCI:  Competency and Credentialing Institute.  Must have successfully completed a course preparing the registered nurse as a first assistant in surgery.  This course shall meet the recommended education standards from a registered nurse assistant program established by the Association of Operating Room Nurse (AORN).  This course shall also follow the format of the core curriculum for the RNFA published by AORN which shall include clinical practice under the direction of a registered nurse first assistant of licensed surgeon.

 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

Skills: 

Years of Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of intraoperative clinical experience required.

License: Requires current licensure in the State of Ohio to practice professional nursing. 

 

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Must be able to move about hospital facility and between workstations.  Must be able to understand direction and be able to communicate and respond to inquires; requires effective interpersonal skills.  Must be able to input and retrieve information from computer. 

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Personal Protective Equipment: Must be able to tolerate frequent exposure to latex and latex products.

Physical Demands: Must be able to tolerate possible exposure to hazardous materials.  Must be able to tolerate exposure to blood borne pathogens and body fluids.  Must be able to frequently move, lift or carry light to medium, medium to heavy weight objects and materials.  Must be able to differentiate between colors, occasionally work on heights, and work with tools, manuals and technical motors.

 

 

The above list of accountabilities is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; it should not be considered exhaustive.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression,  age, disability, military or veteran status, height, weight, familial or marital status, or genetics.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug-Free Workplace